Xiaomi unveils the 18 Fold, a compact book-style foldable device featuring advanced camera tech and a design hinting at Apple’s upcoming foldable iPhone, signalling a disruptive shift in premium foldable market.
Xiaomi has launched the 18 Fold, a compact book-style foldable that arrives as attention turns to Apple’s first expected foldable iPhone. TechRadar, which handled the device at IFA 2026, said the new model uses a shorter, wider shape that closely echoes Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 8, while also hinting at the rounded-corner design that has been linked to Apple’s rumoured device.
According to Xiaomi’s launch details and hands-on reports from TechRadar, T3 and Android Central, the 18 Fold pairs a 5.38-inch cover screen with a 7.58-inch inner display. Both panels use a 1.4:1 ratio, a layout that places the handset between Samsung’s taller foldables and the more square-like proportions expected from Apple’s rival. TechRadar noted that the Xiaomi handset is slightly thicker and heavier than the Galaxy Z Fold 8, but still slim enough to remain practical for video playback and general use.
Where Xiaomi may have a clearer edge is in imaging. The company has fitted the 18 Fold with a Leica-tuned triple camera system comprising a 200MP main sensor, a 50MP ultra-wide lens and a 50MP telephoto camera with 3.5x optical zoom, according to TechRadar’s launch coverage. That gives it a more versatile rear camera array than the Galaxy Z Fold 8, while Apple’s foldable is still expected to ship with only two rear cameras, based on current rumours.
Inside, the 18 Fold is powered by Xiaomi’s in-house Xring O3 chip, with up to 16GB of RAM and a 6,000mAh battery. Other reports said the battery supports 67W wired charging and 50W wireless charging. The phone is being sold only in China for ¥10,999, which places it in the same premium bracket as Samsung’s latest foldable and leaves open the question of what Apple will charge when it unveils its own device, now expected at its September event.
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