Huawei Technologies has launched the Mate 70 Air, a 6.6mm-thick handset aimed squarely at Apple’s (AAPL) new iPhone Air, marking the Chinese tech giant’s most direct response yet to its U.S. rival.
Priced at 4,199 yuan ($590), the Mate 70 Air significantly undercuts Apple’s $999 iPhone Air, though it’s slightly thicker than Apple’s ultra-slim device (5.6mm thick). It features a 7-inch display, stereo speakers, and a large 6,500mAh battery.
The phone, powered by Huawei’s in-house operating system, will be available to pre-order in China via the company’s online store, with deliveries starting Nov. 11.
Apple introduced the “Air” branding to its smartphone lineup for the first time this fall alongside the iPhone 17 series.
The latest launch reflects China’s growing smartphone competition against Apple. Xiaomi recently accelerated the rollout of its Xiaomi 17 and 17 Pro models, offering high-end features at lower prices. Despite these moves, Apple’s latest devices have outperformed prior generations in China this year, pushing domestic rivals like Huawei to intensify their counterattacks with new, competitively priced flagships.