Xiaomi 18 Fold Challenges Samsung and Apple with Foldable Innovation

9:04 AM ETDeveloping

Technology Desk

In Short: Xiaomi has unveiled its first wide-screen foldable phone, the 18 Fold, just days before Apple is expected to launch its first foldable iPhone.

Xiaomi has unveiled its first wide-screen foldable phone, the 18 Fold, just days before Apple is expected to launch its first foldable iPhone. The device, which was showcased at IFA 2026, offers a unique design with rounded corners and a more passport-like shape compared to Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 8. Xiaomi's approach to foldable technology is distinct, with a 'Dragon Bone' hinge that underwent 492 structural optimizations, making it more rounded than Samsung's design. The 18 Fold also features Xiaomi's in-house Xring O3 chip, built using a 3nm process, offering a powerful performance boost.

The Xiaomi 18 Fold is the first flagship to contain Xiaomi's in-house Xring O3 chip, built using a 3nm process with a 10-core CPU clocked to 4.35GHz and a 16-core GPU. According to reports, the device has not yet confirmed a global launch, at least not as of this writing. Xiaomi's timing is impeccable, arriving shortly after Samsung launched its first wide-screen Galaxy Z Fold 8 and just days before Apple is expected to unveil its first folding iPhone. The company has not announced global availability for the 18 Fold; its earlier Mix Fold foldables have stayed exclusive to China.

Xiaomi's approach to foldable technology is distinct, with a 'Dragon Bone' hinge that underwent 492 structural optimizations, making it more rounded than Samsung's design. The 18 Fold has a more rounded look, especially when it's unfolded, and packs a surprisingly ambitious camera system into its passport-style body. The first thing that struck me about the Xiaomi 18 Fold is just how its proportions feel compared with Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 8. When closed, the Xiaomi device has that familiar passport-like shape we’ve now seen from Samsung’s wide-screen foldable, but Xiaomi has gone for rounder corners on one side, while the hinged edge has flat corners.

Xiaomi's 18 Fold is expected to be a serious new competitor for Samsung in the foldable phone market. Former Apple CEO Tim Cook played a major role in the development of the foldable iPhone, which could reach around $3,000 with storage upgrades. Samsung is preparing to introduce a new innovation in the smartphone industry with its rollable device, tentatively named the Galaxy Z Roll, which could establish a new benchmark for mobile technology.

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Xiaomi gave us a chance to get our hands on its new ide foldable at IFA 2026, and after spending a very limited amount of time with it, I can already see why Samsung might want to pay attention.
Xiaomi’s approach isn’t identical to either, though.
I only spent a short time with the phone at IFA 2026, but even that brief hands-on was enough to convince me that if Xiaomi brings the 18 Fold to global markets, Samsung has a serious new competitor on its hands.
However, Xiaomi says the 18 Fold will also be available in black and white, but the red is the one I would pick.
Unlike foldable phones, which rely on hinges, the rollable mechanism eliminates visible creases, offering a smooth and uninterrupted viewing experience.
This innovation is expected to enhance usability across various applications, including multitasking, gaming, and media consumption.
Apple's foldable "iPhone Ultra" may launch in mainland China later than in some other markets, according to an oft-reliable Chinese leaker.

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