Huawei is expected to release a triple foldable phone before the iPhone 17.

Huawei will launch its Mate XTs triple-foldable smartphone in China on September 4, according to a tweet by Abhishek Yadav.

The previous Mate XT was launched in China on September 20 of last year. It later became available in other markets in March of this year. A similar launch pattern is anticipated this time, with broader availability expected early next year.

Those unwilling to wait can import, though this entails using software designed for the Chinese market. The absence of Google services remains a significant drawback for international users. However, a standard Google account allows most Google apps to function through microG, an open-source version of Google Mobile Services.

The Mate XTs is projected to be more affordable than the original model, which had a launch price of $3,500. A recent report suggests a price of 15,000 yuan, or about $2,100. This is closer to current foldable pricing. Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 7, for instance, starts at $2,000.

Samsung's Galaxy Z TriFold, which has been the subject of rumors, is reportedly scheduled for release later this year, possibly in October.

While details are scarce regarding the triple-foldable phones expected to compete, at least in China, Samsung's device may have better availability, even at a higher cost. Although it might initially be limited to specific markets, its global release is more likely than that of Huawei's. Due to the U.S. ban, the Mate XTs is not expected to be sold in the U.S.

In other news, "Iconic Phones: Revolution at Your Fingertips," a coffee table book about the tech revolution, will be released in a few months.