Xiaomi has just taken the wraps off its first-ever wide-style foldable smartphone, and it’s arriving with a bold statement—launching exactly two days before Apple’s much-anticipated iPhone Ultra. The timing isn’t just a coincidence; the Xiaomi 18 Fold shares not only the same book-style form factor that Apple is expected to adopt but also a striking cherry red finish, a color that has been heavily rumored for Apple’s device. But once you look past the superficial similarities, the Xiaomi 18 Fold is a completely different beast, powered by Xiaomi’s own silicon and packed with cutting-edge hardware that aims to redefine what a foldable can do.
A New Chapter in Foldable Design
The Xiaomi 18 Fold marks a significant departure from the company’s previous foldable offerings. While Xiaomi has dabbled with clamshell and inward-folding designs before, this is their first true wide-format foldable—a device that opens up to a tablet-like experience without compromising on portability. The design philosophy here is clear: give users a large, immersive display that doesn’t feel like a compromise when folded.
When closed, the Xiaomi 18 Fold feels surprisingly slim and pocketable, with a cover display that’s fully functional for everyday tasks. Open it up, and you’re greeted by a massive 7.58-inch foldable screen that stretches edge-to-edge with minimal bezels. The hinge mechanism has been redesigned to be both more durable and more seamless, allowing the device to fold flat with no visible crease—a major pain point for many foldable users. Xiaomi claims the hinge is rated for over 500,000 folds, which translates to roughly 10 years of heavy use, so you can feel confident in its longevity.
The Wide Format Advantage
Why go wide? Unlike traditional foldables that unfold into a squarer aspect ratio, the Xiaomi 18 Fold’s wide format mimics the feel of a standard tablet or even a small laptop screen. This makes it ideal for multitasking, watching widescreen content, and productivity tasks like document editing or email. The 7.58-inch display offers a resolution of 2480 x 1860 pixels, delivering sharp text and vibrant colors, with a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate that keeps scrolling buttery smooth. Whether you’re streaming your favorite show or sketching out ideas with the included stylus support, the screen adapts to your needs.
But the wide format isn’t just about the unfolded experience. The cover display, which measures 6.5 inches, also adopts a taller aspect ratio, making it easier to use one-handed when the device is closed. It’s a thoughtful touch that ensures you don’t have to unfold the phone for every quick interaction, like checking notifications or replying to a message.
Under the Hood: The Xring O3 SoC
The heart of the Xiaomi 18 Fold is the newly unveiled Xring O3 SoC, Xiaomi’s most ambitious chipset to date. This is not just a minor iteration—it’s a complete overhaul of Xiaomi’s in-house silicon, designed to compete head-on with the likes of Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 and Apple’s A-series chips. The Xring O3 is built on a cutting-edge 3nm process, which allows for incredible performance gains while maintaining excellent power efficiency.
In benchmark tests, the Xring O3 delivers multi-core scores that are 20% higher than its predecessor, and its GPU is no slouch either, offering console-level graphics performance that makes gaming on a foldable a genuine pleasure. But what really sets the Xring O3 apart is its integrated AI engine, which is capable of handling complex on-device machine learning tasks. This powers features like real-time language translation, advanced photo editing, and adaptive battery management that learns your usage patterns to extend battery life.
Memory and Storage Configurations
The Xiaomi 18 Fold comes in three storage tiers to suit different needs and budgets. The base model offers 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, which is plenty for most users. For those who want more headroom, there’s a 16GB RAM option with either 512GB or 1TB of internal storage. Interestingly, Xiaomi has opted for LPDDR6 memory on the higher-end models, which offers faster data transfer speeds and lower power consumption compared to the LPDDR5X found on the base version. This means that if you opt for the 16GB variant, you’ll get a noticeable boost in multitasking and app-loading speeds, especially when handling large files or running multiple apps simultaneously.
Storage is also incredibly fast, with UFS 4.0 technology ensuring that read and write speeds are lightning quick. Whether you’re recording 8K video, downloading large games, or transferring files, the Xiaomi 18 Fold won’t keep you waiting.
Camera System: A Foldable That Shoots Like a Flagship
Foldables have often been criticized for their camera performance, but Xiaomi is looking to change that narrative with the 18 Fold. The device features a triple camera setup on the rear, headlined by a 50MP primary sensor with a variable aperture that can switch between f/1.4 and f/2.4, allowing for stunning low-light shots and beautiful bokeh effects. The secondary camera is a 50MP ultra-wide lens with a 120-degree field of view, perfect for landscape shots or group photos. Rounding out the trio is a 50MP periscope telephoto lens that offers 5x optical zoom and up to 100x digital zoom, so you can capture distant subjects with clarity.
On the front, there’s a 32MP camera embedded in the cover display, and when you unfold the device, you can use the rear cameras for selfies thanks to the flexible design. The camera software is also packed with AI enhancements, including scene detection, night mode, and a new “foldable portrait” mode that takes advantage of the wide format to create professional-looking portraits with adjustable depth.
Video Recording Capabilities
For videographers, the Xiaomi 18 Fold supports 8K recording at 30fps and 4K at up to 120fps, giving you plenty of creative flexibility. The stabilization system is top-notch, using a combination of OIS and EIS to keep your footage smooth even when you’re on the move. There’s also a new “director mode” that lets you control multiple camera angles simultaneously, making it easier to create multi-cam content without additional equipment.
Battery Life and Charging: Built to Last
One of the biggest challenges for foldable phones is battery life, given the large displays and powerful processors. The Xiaomi 18 Fold addresses this with a robust 5,500mAh battery that’s split across two cells to balance weight and heat distribution. In real-world usage, you can easily get through a full day of heavy use, and even with intensive gaming or video streaming, the phone should last well into the evening.
When it comes to charging, Xiaomi has included its fastest wired charging technology yet, supporting 120W fast charging that can take the battery from 0 to 100% in just 19 minutes. There’s also 50W wireless charging, which is a boon for those who prefer to go cable-free, and 10W reverse wireless charging to top up your earbuds or smartwatch on the go. The phone also supports intelligent charging features that help preserve battery health over time, such as limiting charge to 80% overnight and adaptive charging based on your routine.
Software and User Experience
The Xiaomi 18 Fold runs on Xiaomi’s HyperOS 2.0, which is based on Android 16. The software has been heavily optimized for the foldable form factor, with features like App Continuity, which lets you seamlessly transition from the cover display to the main screen without losing your place. Multitasking is a breeze with the ability to run up to three apps simultaneously in a split-screen view, and you can even drag and drop content between apps for a more fluid workflow.
There’s also a new “Flex Mode” that takes advantage of the hinge’s ability to hold the phone at various angles. You can prop the phone up at a 45-degree angle for hands-free video calls, or at 90 degrees to use it as a mini laptop with a virtual trackpad. The software also includes a suite of AI tools, such as a smart assistant that can summarize emails, create meeting notes, and even generate custom wallpapers based on your mood or the time of day.
Security and Connectivity
Security is handled by an in-display fingerprint sensor that’s both fast and accurate, as well as face unlock that works in various lighting conditions. The phone also supports the latest Wi-Fi 7 standard, ensuring blazing-fast internet speeds when connected to compatible routers, and it includes Bluetooth 5.4 for seamless pairing with accessories. For those who travel internationally, the Xiaomi 18 Fold supports a wide range of 5G bands, so you’ll be covered in most regions around the world.
Design and Build Quality
Beyond the cherry red colorway that’s sure to turn heads, the Xiaomi 18 Fold is also available in classic black and a sophisticated titanium gray. The frame is made from aerospace-grade aluminum, which keeps the phone lightweight yet sturdy, and the back panel is covered in a premium glass that resists fingerprints and smudges. The device is also IP68 water and dust resistant, so you don’t have to worry about accidental splashes or dusty environments.
The cherry red option is particularly striking, with a glossy finish that catches the light in a way that feels both luxurious and modern. It’s a bold choice that sets the Xiaomi 18 Fold apart from the sea of black and silver slabs on the market, and it’s clear that Xiaomi is aiming to make a statement with this device.
In the Box
Xiaomi has always been generous with accessories, and the 18 Fold is no exception. In the box, you’ll find the phone, a 120W fast charger, a USB-C to USB-C cable, a protective case, and a pre-applied screen protector on both displays. There’s also a stylus included in the box, which is a nice bonus for those who want to take notes or draw right out of the gate.
Pricing and Availability
The Xiaomi 18 Fold is set to go on sale starting next month, with pricing starting at $1,499 for the base model (12GB/256GB). The 16GB/512GB variant will retail for $1,699, and the top-of-the-line 16GB/1TB model will set you back $1,999. While these prices put it in the premium category, they are competitive with other flagship foldables on the market, especially given the powerful Xring O3 SoC and the innovative wide format.
Initially, the phone will be available in China, with a global rollout expected in the following weeks. Xiaomi has confirmed that the device will be sold in Europe, India, and Southeast Asia, and there are plans to bring it to North America through online channels, though carrier availability may be limited.
Comparison to the Competition
When you stack the Xiaomi 18 Fold against rivals like the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 or the Google Pixel Fold, it holds its own and often comes out ahead. The Xring O3 SoC offers performance that rivals or exceeds the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 found in Samsung’s device, and the camera system is more versatile than what Google offers. The wide format also gives it a unique advantage for media consumption, as movies and TV shows fill more of the screen without letterboxing.
Apple’s iPhone Ultra, which is expected to launch in just a few days, will likely be the biggest competitor. However, the Xiaomi 18 Fold has the advantage of being available now, and it offers a level of customization and flexibility that Apple may not match, particularly with features like the stylus support and the ability to run multiple apps simultaneously. The cherry red colorway is also a direct challenge to Apple’s rumored red option, showing that Xiaomi is not afraid to go head-to-head with the Cupertino giant.
Final Thoughts
The Xiaomi 18 Fold is a bold step forward for Xiaomi and for the foldable market as a whole. It combines a unique wide format with top-tier hardware, including the impressive Xring O3 SoC, and wraps it all in a design that’s both functional and eye-catching. While it may not be for everyone—the price is steep, and foldables still have their quirks—it’s clear that Xiaomi is pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in a smartphone. If you’re in the market for a foldable that offers something different from the usual square-shaped devices, the Xiaomi 18 Fold deserves serious consideration.
With its launch just days before Apple’s big reveal, Xiaomi is making a statement: they’re not just following trends; they’re setting them. The cherry red colorway is a nice touch, but the real story is the hardware and software innovation that makes this device a true flagship contender. Whether it will dethrone the iPhone Ultra remains to be seen, but one thing’s for sure—the Xiaomi 18 Fold is here to compete, and it’s not pulling any punches.
