Xiaomi has formally launched what it calls its first-ever “mid-size” foldable, the Xiaomi 18 Fold, arriving in China just as Apple is expected to unveil its own foldable device. The phone combines a 7.68-inch foldable display with a 5.38-inch outer screen, both utilizing a new A4 aspect ratio that Xiaomi claims creates a more unified experience when transitioning between the two. At 219g, the device is the lightest foldable the company has ever produced. Xiaomi is trumpeting this aspect ratio across both screens, creating a more unified feel when transitioning between them.
Design and Build
The front display features an asymmetric notepad look, with the right edge corners curved while the hinge-edge corners remain square. This design choice helps the phone stand out even as many foldables hit similar aesthetic notes. In person, the device feels solid and strong. During IFA, the reporter compared it against Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 8 and noted the Xiaomi is noticeably a little thicker, though it also packs a larger battery. This stockier frame design is particularly noticeable when placed alongside slimmer competitors, giving it a distinct presence.
Xiaomi offers the 18 Fold in black, white, and a striking red color. They are also teasing a special silicon nitride ceramic edition that will resist bumps and scratches better while weighing about 50 percent less than traditional zirconia ceramic. That version wasn’t on display during the IFA showcase, but the red version looked stunning. The physical build quality emphasizes durability, ensuring that despite the unique aesthetics, the phone remains a robust daily driver.
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Screen and Hinge Technology
Both screens are the first to pack a Xiaomi HyperRGB panel with a “full RGB subpixel structure.” They top out at 4,000 nits peak brightness and support 1-120Hz LTPO adaptive refresh rates. The device uses a new-generation proprietary hinge with a three-link design that wraps around the screen. The reporter noted the hinge feels stronger than rival foldable hinges during the hands-on session. This structural integrity is key for maintaining screen integrity over time and ensuring a smooth opening and closing motion.
Xiaomi is also using a more robust aluminum alloy frame and its own Shield Glass 3.0 protection on both screens. The new hinge design involves three links that wrap around the screen, contributing to the device’s overall solidity. Xiaomi is also pushing a more robust aluminum alloy frame and its own Shield Glass 3.0 protection on both screens. A new-generation Xiaomi proprietary hinge has a three-link design which wraps around the screen. In person, it feels solid and strong – stronger than rival foldable hinges.
Internal Hardware and Performance
For Xiaomi, this is a significant step as it is the first of its flagship phones to run on its own in-house silicon chip, the XRING 03. Built on a 3nm process, the chip combines a 10-core all-big-core CPU with a 16-core GPU. Xiaomi claims the XRING 03 is the first SoC to support the latest LPDDR6 RAM for faster memory access and improved performance. The company also states the chip combination delivers 45 percent faster on-device decoding performance on the NPU than its previous-gen flagship processor. This represents a major leap in processing power for the manufacturer.
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The device features a substantial silicon-carbon battery with what is currently the largest battery capacity for a foldable form factor. It supports up to 67W wired and 50W wireless charging with compatible chargers. As we’ve started to expect from Xiaomi, it has a substantial silicon-carbon battery with what is currently the largest battery capacity for a foldable form factor (editor’s note: there aren’t many). Fortunately, the Xiaomi 18 Fold supports up to 67W wired and 50W wireless charging with compatible chargers. This ensures that the larger screen real estate does not result in rapid battery depletion.
Camera System and Availability
Despite its passport shape, Xiaomi doesn’t appear to be compromising on cameras, opting for a Leica triple-camera system. The main 200MP camera has a 1/1.56-inch sensor alongside a 50MP Leica periscope telephoto camera. The brief preview didn’t allow for extensive camera testing, but the reporter expressed hope for similar performance to the Xiaomi 17 Ultra. The main sensor on this foldable is smaller than the 17 Ultra’s main camera, though the inclusion of Leica optics aims to maintain high image fidelity.