Xiaomi is preparing to launch Xiaomi 18 Fold, a new foldable phone with a short and wide design. Xiaomi showed phone at IFA 2026 in Berlin before its China launch on September 7.
Xiaomi 18 Fold uses a passport-style shape. Samsung also moves toward this design with Galaxy Z Fold 8, while Apple is rumored to use a similar design for its first foldable iPhone.
Xiaomi 18 Fold Gets a Short and Wide Design
Xiaomi 18 Fold has a wider body than older foldable phones. Front and inner displays use a wider shape that can give users more space for video and other content.
Phone has rounded corners, which can make holding more comfortable. Cover screen measures 5.38 inches, while main foldable screen measures 7.58 inches.
Xiaomi also uses slim bezels on both screens. During IFA, viewers could not see much of a crease on main display from most angles. However, press members could not touch phone because Xiaomi kept unit behind glass.
Main display also has a punch-hole cutout in top-right corner for a selfie camera.
XRING O3 Chip Powers Xiaomi 18 Fold
One of biggest changes in Xiaomi 18 Fold is its processor.
Xiaomi confirms phone uses its own XRING O3 chip. This marks a move away from Qualcomm or MediaTek chips for this flagship foldable.
Xiaomi calls XRING O3 a Flagship AI SoC. Chip combines CPU, GPU and NPU hardware with AI functions.
Early benchmark results suggest XRING O3 can compete with current flagship phone chips. Xiaomi also focuses on power efficiency and on-device AI.
Using its own chip can help Xiaomi control more parts of phone hardware and software. Apple follows a similar approach with its own chip design for iPhone.
Xiaomi 18 Fold Has Three Rear Cameras
Xiaomi 18 Fold has three cameras on back. Cameras sit inside a horizontal camera bar or visor-style module.
Expected camera setup includes a main camera, telephoto camera and ultrawide camera. Phone also has a front camera on cover screen and another selfie camera on inner display.
Camera module also shows Leica branding, which points to Xiaomi’s continued focus on mobile photography.
Early camera samples from phone have also received attention, although full camera details are still not available.
Red Color Stands Out
Xiaomi 18 Fold uses a red color that was easy to notice at IFA.
Phone has a bright red finish that gives model a different look from many foldable phones on market. Xiaomi also uses rounded corners and a horizontal camera bar, giving phone a design close to what Apple may use for its rumored foldable iPhone.
Xiaomi 18 Fold Launch Date
Xiaomi plans to launch 18 Fold in China on September 7, 2026.
This date comes only two days before Apple’s expected September 9 event, where Apple could show its first foldable iPhone.
Xiaomi has not yet confirmed full pricing or international availability. A global launch would put Xiaomi 18 Fold against Samsung and Apple in more markets.
Xiaomi Expands Beyond Phones
Xiaomi also used IFA 2026 to show new Mijia home products.
New products include Mijia Refrigerator Pro Cryo Fresh, Mijia Tri-Drum Washer Dryer Pro and Mijia Conditioner Turbo Pro.
Mijia Refrigerator Pro Cryo Fresh uses air circulation and nano blue light sterilization to help keep food fresh. Mijia Tri-Drum Washer Dryer Pro uses three drums and targets a 35% increase in energy efficiency. Mijia Conditioner Turbo Pro focuses on cooling and heating.
Xiaomi also plans to bring its electric cars to Europe from 2027.
Xiaomi 18 Fold Could Become a Major Foldable Rival
Xiaomi 18 Fold shows how foldable phone design is changing. Short and wide bodies are becoming a key direction for foldable phones, with Samsung already using a similar approach.
Xiaomi also brings its own XRING O3 chip, three rear cameras and a wide display design to its new model.
More details should arrive at Xiaomi’s China launch on September 7. Price, full camera specifications and international availability remain unknown for now.
With Apple expected to enter foldable phone market, Xiaomi 18 Fold could arrive at an important time. Its passport-style design also shows that Xiaomi wants to compete with Samsung and Apple in next stage of foldable phone market.
