Xiaomi has officially entered the race for short, wide foldable smartphones, a design trend anticipated to also be adopted by Apple this week. During a preview session at IFA last week, reviewers had the opportunity to handle the Xiaomi 18 Fold, noting that while its physical form factor closely resembles Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 8, its technical specifications position it as a compelling alternative.
Marking Xiaomi’s first book-style foldable since the Mix Fold 4 released in 2024, the 18 Fold follows the industry shift toward a squatter, shorter profile pioneered by Huawei and Samsung. However, Xiaomi appears to have pushed the design further by making the device both shorter and wider than its competitor.
The device boasts a distinctive aspect ratio of approximately 1.4:1, accommodating a 7.58-inch inner display and a 5.38-inch outer screen. These enhanced dimensions and specifications suggest that the 18 Fold aims to address potential gaps in Samsung’s current offering.
Interesting specs, but I’ll believe it’s superior when I see real-world battery life tests. Specs don’t always translate to experience.
Samsung has been coasting on design for years. Good to see Xiaomi pushing the envelope with actual hardware improvements this time.
I’m surprised they managed to keep it this thin. Does the hinge feel sturdy enough for daily use, or is it too fragile?
Finally, a foldable that doesn’t feel like a brick! This wider aspect ratio looks much more natural for media consumption.