Xiaomi is gearing up for the launch of its new flagship foldable smartphone, the Xiaomi 18 Fold, set to debut in China on September 7, 2026. This innovative device aims to take on the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Apple's upcoming foldable phone, rumored to be named iPhone Ultra.
Preview at IFA 2026 and Global Launch Plans
Before its official release, the Xiaomi 18 Fold will be showcased at the IFA 2026 event in Berlin, Germany, on September 3, 2026, at 10:30 AM local time. Xiaomi has revealed that this device will feature the new Xring O3 chipset, which is expected to enhance its performance significantly. However, it remains unclear if the Xiaomi 18 Fold will be available globally immediately after its unveiling in Berlin, as the initial launch will focus on the Chinese market.
Design Innovations and User Experience
The design of the Xiaomi 18 Fold has been teased through renders and videos shared by Lu Weibing, head of Xiaomi’s smartphone division. The device introduces a novel design approach described as a "mid-fold" form factor. Unlike typical foldable phones that resemble books, the Xiaomi 18 Fold boasts a shorter, wider body that is said to resemble a passport when closed, making it easier to hold and operate with one hand.
When closed, the phone features a 5.38-inch external display, while unfolding reveals a larger 7.58-inch main screen optimized for multitasking and video watching. The rear of the device includes a horizontal camera module with three cameras and an LED flash, developed in collaboration with Leica, although specific details regarding the camera resolution and sensor types have yet to be disclosed.
Advanced Technology and Performance
Equipped with the latest generation "Dragon Bone" hinge, Xiaomi has subjected the 18 Fold to stringent testing to ensure its structural integrity. Its display specifications are akin to those of the Galaxy Z Fold 8, which features a 5.5-inch outer screen and a 7.6-inch main display with a 4:3 aspect ratio.
The Xiaomi 18 Fold will run on the newly developed Xring O3 chipset, which is fabricated using a 3nm process. This chipset is expected to provide Xiaomi with greater control over hardware and software integration, reducing reliance on suppliers like Qualcomm and MediaTek. Additionally, the device will feature LPDDR6 RAM from ChangXin Memory Technologies, although the specific RAM capacity has not yet been revealed.
Battery Life and AI Features
Reports indicate that the Xiaomi 18 Fold will also support HyperOS 4 and come with the MiMo artificial intelligence model, enabling various AI functions to be processed directly on the device without constant cloud dependency. While the phone is rumored to house a battery with a capacity close to 6,000 mAh and include a side-mounted fingerprint sensor, details about these features remain unconfirmed.
Furthermore, the device is anticipated to include a telephoto camera with 3.5x optical zoom, but Xiaomi has yet to finalize or announce these specifications publicly.
The official launch of the Xiaomi 18 Fold in China is scheduled for September 7, 2026, alongside other products such as the Xiaomi Pad 9 Pro Max and the new Pengcheng electric vehicles. Following this, Apple is expected to hold its own event on September 9, 2026, where the iPhone Ultra may be revealed.
While the iPhone Ultra has not been officially confirmed by Apple, the competition between these two foldable devices will be closely watched as both companies look to capture the market in this emerging segment. Currently, the pricing and global availability of the Xiaomi 18 Fold are still unknown, leaving potential buyers eager for more information.
Source: https://inet.detik.com/consumer/d-8645986/xiaomi-18-fold-rilis-7-september-jegal-galaxy-z-fold-8-dan-iphone-ultra
