Sanctions Be Damned: Huawei’s $2,800 Tri-Fold Flex Signals a Nightmare Realized for Apple and Washington

Chinese technology titan Huawei launched its second-generation tri-fold smartphone, the Mate XT 2 Ultimate Design, on Monday, debuting a native Kirin 9050 Pro processor and an array of hardware innovations as it continues its high-end resurgence in the domestic market. Unveiled at a launch event in Guangzhou, the device carries a starting price of 19,999 yuan ($2,810) and is scheduled to go on sale Sept. 12. The flagship features an updated wings-style tri-fold mechanism, a second-generation Tiangong hinge system, and IP58/IP59 dust and water resistance, marking a structural first for the tri-fold category. The Mate XT 2 is powered by…