Xiaomi’s wide foldable promises more power than Samsung’s

Xiaomi has entered the wide-format foldable category with the 18 Fold, a device that takes the compact approach pioneered by Huawei and refined by Samsung one step further. The handset maintains a roughly square aspect ratio on both its displays—7.58 inches when unfolded and 5.38 inches when folded—creating proportions that align with standard cinema formats and paper dimensions. This design choice delivers improved usability for media consumption while keeping the device pocketable when closed, though it remains less conventional for multitasking workflows than traditional tall foldables.

The 18 Fold distinguishes itself primarily through enhanced specifications that directly address gaps in competing devices. The phone runs on Xiaomi's new Xring O3 processor, which the company claims matches Snapdragon 8 Elite performance levels and debuts Arm's Mali G2-Ultra NX graphics processor. The battery capacity reaches 6,000mAh—substantially larger than Samsung's 4,800mAh offering—with faster charging capabilities at 67W wired and 50W wireless speeds. Both OLED displays achieve 4,000 nits of peak brightness, supporting extended outdoor use.

Photography capabilities receive particular attention through a triple rear camera array developed with Leica. The primary 200-megapixel sensor uses a larger 1/1.56-inch format, accompanied by a 50-megapixel periscope lens with 3.5x optical magnification and a 50-megapixel ultrawide option. This camera configuration represents a notable upgrade from competitors at the foldable's likely price point, addressing a common complaint about premium foldables lacking the zoom and multifaceted imaging capabilities of conventional flagship devices.

However, the 18 Fold carries some compromises relative to Samsung's offering. The device is measurably thicker and heavier than the Galaxy Z Fold 8, and Xiaomi has not disclosed an official IP water and dust resistance rating—a notable omission for a device approaching $2,000 in price. The display crease, while typical for foldables, appears more pronounced than Samsung's latest implementation, though Oppo continues leading the industry in crease mitigation through its Find N6 model.

Xiaomi has begun accepting preorders for the 18 Fold at ¥10,999 (approximately $1,600) in China, with general availability starting September 10. The company has not announced plans for international distribution at this time. The timing coincides with Apple's expected foldable announcement, potentially marking a significant shift in the competitive landscape as the technology category transitions from novelty to mainstream consideration.