Xiaomi has officially introduced its first wide-format foldable phone, the 18 Fold, unveiled just days ahead of Apple’s own anticipated debut of a foldable iPhone. The design places it in direct competition with foldables like Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold8 and what’s expected from Apple, marking a significant push in the evolving foldable phone market.
The 18 Fold features a dual-screen setup: a 5.38-inch display on the outside and a 7.58-inch panel on the inside, both employing 120Hz LTPO tech and capable of reaching up to 4,000 nits of peak brightness. Both screens benefit from a new ultra-thin, double-layer glass construction for improved durability.
One of the biggest changes is the hinge, dubbed “Dragon Bone,” which Xiaomi says has gone through nearly 500 structural tweaks. The result is a more rounded fold than seen on competitors. The phone will come in four finishes, including a striking Nishino Red and a limited-edition Ceramic Special Edition, the latter capped at 1,500 units worldwide.
Power Under the Hood
Xiaomi’s flagship plays host to its new in-house Xring O3 chip, built on a 3nm process. That chip includes a 10-core CPU with a peak clock speed of 4.35GHz and a 16-core GPU. In benchmarks, Xiaomi claims the new chip delivers 60% better multicore CPU performance and an 85% GPU uplift over its predecessor, alongside reducing power consumption by 25% for the CPU and 64% for the graphics subsystem. A dedicated NPU provides 200 TOPS of AI performance.
Cameras, Battery, and Pricing
The camera array is a collaboration with Leica, led by a 200MP main sensor, joined by a 50MP ultrawide lens and a 50MP periscope telephoto with 3.5× optical zoom. Notably, Apple’s upcoming foldable is expected to ship with just two rear cameras and no optical zoom option.
On battery life, the 18 Fold packs a 6,000mAh battery, and includes high-end charging options: 67W wired charging and 50W wireless charging support. Pricing in China starts at 10,999 yuan (about $1,638) for the 12GB RAM/256GB variant. The top-tier 16GB/1TB model runs 14,999 yuan (roughly $2,235), and the Ceramic Special Edition is listed at 15,999 yuan (around $2,384). The foldable is not yet confirmed for global markets, mirroring Xiaomi’s past strategy with its foldables.
Alongside the foldable, Xiaomi also revealed the Xiaomi Pad 9 Pro Max, which employs the same Xring O3 chip, and three electric vehicles under its Pengcheng brand. Apple’s own event, set for September 9 at Apple Park, is expected to bring its first foldable iPhone along with the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max.
This launch signifies Xiaomi stepping up to offer a bona fide rival to what many see as Apple’s biggest design shift since introducing the iPhone. The 18 Fold presses hard on areas where Apple is rumored to be conservative—adding optical zoom, high-end charging, and powerful AI processing. What remains to be seen is how Xiaomi will price and distribute this model outside China, and how real-world durability and software experience will hold up against Apple’s focus on ecosystem synergy.
