Xiaomi plans to officially unveil its new foldable phone, the Xiaomi 18 Fold , on September 7th . The company has already released images and key details, and everything suggests that this launch aims to be a game-changer in the foldable phone segment. The manufacturer is abandoning the 'Mix' moniker and adopting a numerical designation, also introducing a concept they call 'mid-fold': an intermediate position between Flip-style foldables and traditional Fold models.
The decision is no coincidence. It comes just 48 hours before Apple's keynote, where the first foldable iPhone is expected to be unveiled , and also coincides with the launch of Huawei's second-generation foldable phone. Xiaomi wants to get ahead of the media spotlight, and according to Lu Weibing, head of the mobile division, the 18 Fold isn't an experiment for enthusiasts, but a mature strategy to become the standard for the next generation. The strategy is clear: strike before the giants grab all the attention.
An intermediate design: passport size
The main appeal of the Xiaomi 18 Fold is its form factor. When closed, it offers a 5,38-inch external screen with proportions similar to a passport, making it easy to use with one hand and much more comfortable to carry in your pocket than conventional book-style foldable phones. When unfolded, a 7,58-inch internal screen appears with a wider aspect ratio, designed for multitasking and video consumption. The hinge, dubbed the 'dragon bone' hinge, has undergone advanced durability testing , and the red finish shown in the official images is sure to turn heads.
Xiaomi argues that this design solves one of the major current limitations: large foldable phones are very bulky, while flip phones are too small. The 'mid-fold' strikes a balance, and it's not an idea exclusive to the brand. Samsung has already opted for something similar with its Galaxy Z Fold foldable range , and Apple seems to have followed the same path in rumors surrounding its next foldable phone. The trend suggests that future releases will adopt wider and more compact formats.
High-end power: XRing O3 and LPDDR6 memory
Inside, the Xiaomi 18 Fold debuts the XRing O3 processor, a custom-designed chip manufactured by TSMC using a 3-nanometer process. It features a ten-core CPU, a 16-core GPU, and a 200 TOPS NPU optimized for local AI tasks. This chip promises high-end performance and is also compatible with the new LPDDR6 memory supplied by CXMT, the Chinese manufacturer that has carved out a niche in the market. The bandwidth reaches 113,8 GB/s, significantly increasing data transfer speeds.
The battery is equally impressive: 6.000 mAh with 67W wired fast charging and 50W wireless charging. This is one of the highest capacities in a foldable phone of this size, while still maintaining a slim profile. According to official figures, the device weighs just 219 grams and measures 5,02 mm thick when unfolded—surprising figures for a phone with these features. It also boasts IP58/IP59 protection, a side-mounted fingerprint reader, and a cold-pump cooling system to maintain performance during demanding workloads.
Cameras, availability and price
In terms of photography, the Xiaomi 18 Fold features a triple-camera module developed in collaboration with Leica. While not all sensors have been confirmed, it is known to include a main camera with an f/1.7 aperture, an ultra-wide-angle lens equivalent to 17mm, and a periscope telephoto lens with 3,5x optical zoom. The German optics company guarantees superior image quality, and Xiaomi has taken advantage of the foldable design to offer specific features through its new camera app, such as using the external screen as a viewfinder or editing photos on the large internal display.
The launch has been confirmed for the Chinese market, with pre-orders starting September 7th and sales beginning on the 10th. Prices start at 10.999 yuan (approximately €1.400) for the 12GB + 256GB version, and go up to 14.999 yuan (€1.924) for the 16GB + 1TB configuration. At the moment, there is no official confirmation that the Xiaomi 18 Fold will be sold in Europe or Spain , and the truth is that no foldable phone from the brand has ever been released outside of China, so we'll have to wait and see if this time the situation changes.
In short, the Xiaomi 18 Fold represents a new stage in the company's strategy, with a groundbreaking design and a proprietary processor that aims to demonstrate its technological independence. The chosen date, just before Apple's event, is no coincidence, and competition in the foldable segment will intensify in the coming months. Although its international availability remains uncertain, everything suggests that this 'passport' format will set the standard for other manufacturers throughout 2026.