Xiaomi introduced its 18 Fold foldable smartphone, marking the company’s latest entry into the rapidly evolving market for book-style foldable devices. The phone arrives as Apple prepares to unveil its own foldable offering, intensifying competition in this emerging category.
The 18 Fold adopts a short, wide form factor similar to Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 8 but with distinct proportions. Xiaomi’s device features a 7.58-inch inner display and a 5.38-inch outer screen, both with approximately 1.4:1 aspect ratios that roughly match international paper sizes and IMAX screens. When folded, the phone remains compact and pocketable with a usable cover screen for single-handed operation. The device is available in black, white, red, and a limited-edition pink ceramic variant restricted to 1,500 units.
While the form factor resembles Samsung’s offering, the 18 Fold distinguishes itself through its specifications. The phone runs Xiaomi’s proprietary Xring O3 chipset, which the company claims delivers performance comparable to the Snapdragon 8 Elite. A notable feature is the incorporation of Arm’s Mali G2-Ultra NX GPU with mobile-optimized graphics acceleration support. The device includes a 6,000mAh silicon-carbon battery substantially larger than the Galaxy Z Fold 8’s 4,800mAh capacity, paired with 67W wired and 50W wireless charging capabilities. Display specifications include up to 4,000 nits of peak brightness on both OLED screens.
The camera system comprises a 200-megapixel main sensor with a 1/1.56-inch type, a 50-megapixel 3.5x periscope telephoto lens, and a 50-megapixel ultrawide, benefiting from Xiaomi’s ongoing partnership with Leica. However, Xiaomi has not disclosed an IP durability rating for the device. The foldable also exhibits a more prominent crease compared to Samsung’s latest models, though it remains more pronounced than solutions offered by competitors like Oppo.
The 18 Fold is available for preorder in China starting at ¥10,999 (approximately $1,600), with official sales beginning September 10th. International availability remains unconfirmed. The device’s launch occurs amid growing anticipation for Apple’s anticipated foldable announcement and heightened competition from established manufacturers reshaping the foldable smartphone category.
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