Xiaomi’s upcoming foldable, the “18 Fold,” has leaked in photos that suggest it could go head-to-head with Apple’s anticipated iPhone Ultra. The images, shared by a Weibo user thought to be showing a prototype, reveal a design that closely mirrors rumored iPhone aesthetics and reinforce a trend favoring book-style foldables over flip models.
Flip vs. Fold: The Fold is Winning
There are two main folding phone styles. The flip folds down from the middle—think a thicker, more compact device when closed. By contrast, the fold (or “book-style”) opens up like a small tablet. This latter form factor, favored in Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold lineup, has recently gained momentum. Recent leaks say Apple’s upcoming Ultra model will use this design too. The Xiaomi 18 Fold appears to follow suit.
Design & Styling: Echoes of Apple
The leaked photos show the 18 Fold with a large camera island that has more than a passing similarity to what’s expected in the iPhone Ultra. Its finish is reportedly a dark cherry color—one shade rumored for iPhone 18 Pro. The color choice, combined with the layout of the cameras, make Xiaomi’s design feel less “inspired by” and more directly in competition with Apple’s upcoming foldable efforts.
These visuals are believed to be of an engineering prototype rather than the final retail version. That suggests Xiaomi is still refining its hardware, but the resemblance to Apple’s rumored design language is striking nonetheless.
Apple is reportedly planning to launch the iPhone Ultra next month, and given how closely Xiaomi’s 18 Fold seems to mirror the upcoming model, the competition is shaping up earlier than many expected. Samsung’s eighth-gen Z Fold already pushed the book-style form further into the spotlight, and now Xiaomi looks ready to elevate the stakes.
What this means: Xiaomi trying to match Apple’s design signals a maturing foldable market where companies are not only chasing features but aesthetic recognition. The dark cherry finish points to Xiaomi aiming for premium appeal, catching eyes before the iPhone Ultra even lands.
Overall, the leaks don’t confirm major specs, display sizes, or internal components. But in a race where design can sway early adopters, the Xiaomi 18 Fold is showing up with more than just hope—it’s showing ambition. What remains to be seen: how it performs, how it feels, and whether the real device can live up to its prototype’s expectations.
As Apple prepares to unveil what many expect to be its most radical iPhone ever, Xiaomi’s 18 Fold may be trying to pre-empt the Ultra’s halo effect. If leaks like these hold true, the Ultra may find itself with a worthy rival—one that’s already staking its claim in looks and form factor. What to watch for next: confirmation of full hardware specs, price, durability of the folding mechanism, and availability. These will ultimately decide if Xiaomi’s fold is just a mirror image or a genuine challenger.
