If there is one thing that the late Apple co-founder Steve Jobs is remembered for, it is that he knew how to put on a show. Long before Apple became the world's most valuable company, it was an underdog that masterfully stole spotlights and invigorated rebel consumers.
Huawei Technologies seems to have taken a leaf from this playbook in scheduling its own flashy product event on Sept 10 just hours after Apple's annual iPhone keynote. The Chinese company unveiled the Mate XT, the world's first triple-screen smartphone that folds like the letter Z.
Visuals of the never-before-seen triptych design made a splash online, especially in contrast to the new iPhone 16's modest hardware upgrades, the most noticeable being a new button.
It did not help that Apple's biggest selling point for the latest device is built-in artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities that will not be launched in the Chinese language until 2025, and are subject to strict regulatory approval before hitting the lucrative market.
The absence of this key feature in China drew widespread derision on domestic social media; one viral Weibo post mocked that the iPhone 16 should be at half price without it.
Huawei was wise to seize the moment and stand out with physical hardware innovation at a time when most other industry players are showboating unproven AI updates. And years of brutal US-led sanctions have turned its comeback into the underdog story of the decade among patriotic Chinese consumers.
Esta historia es de la edición September 13, 2024 de The Straits Times.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición September 13, 2024 de The Straits Times.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
Howe focuses on positives after rare clean sheet in draw at Everton
LONDON Eddie Howe praised Newcastle United's defensive display and rare away clean sheet after the 0-0 English Premier League draw at Everton on Oct 5, as a missed Anthony Gordon penalty denied the visitors all three points.
Chelsea frustrated by 10-man Forest but remain fourth
Noni Madueke's equaliser rescued Chelsea in a 1-1 English Premier League draw against 10man Nottingham Forest that ended the Blues' five-match winning run on Oct 6.
Calm Verdy fight back to lift Lion City Cup
Showing their class for a second consecutive match, Japanese side Tokyo Verdy came from behind to defeat holders BG Pathum United 4-1 to clinch the Lion City Cup on Oct 6.
TEN HAG HAILS BATTLING DRAW
United manager says his 'determined' side defended well, showed character at Villa
Sidelined Carvajal to return like an 'animal'
MADRID - Real Madrid defender Dani Carvajal confirmed that he will undergo surgery after suffering a serious knee injury in the 2-0 Spanish La Liga win over Villarreal on Oct 5.
Arteta hails Saka's ability to change games
LONDON - Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta could almost forgive his side for going a goal down to struggling Southampton as it brought out the best in winger Bukayo Saka, who scored one goal and made two more in their 3-1 English Premier League home win on Oct 5.
KEY KOVACIC UNLOCKS FULHAM
Midfielder fills in for Rodri and bags brace in win to get City's title bid back on track
Rugby player on rape charge booed on return
PARIS - France lock Hugo Auradou was described as being \"serene\" by Pau head coach Sebastien Piqueronies on Oct 5, despite being whistled off the pitch in his first match since being accused of rape in Argentina.
TEARS OF JOY FOR GAUFF IN CHINA
American clinches second title of 2024; Sinner needs day off after comeback win
Victorious Pereira not switching divisions
Brazil's Alex Pereira roared back from a poor start to knock out Khalil Rountree Jr and retain his light heavyweight title at UFC 307 at the Delta Centre on Oct 5, while in the co-main event Julianna Pena beat Raquel Pennington to reclaim the women's bantamweight crown.