Xiaomi 18 Fold: A compact foldable with a unique aspect ratio and custom chip
Xiaomi's new 18 Fold is a foldable smartphone with a 7.68-inch inner screen and a 5.38-inch outer display, both featuring an A4 aspect ratio. At 219 grams, it's the company's lightest foldable yet, and it's powered by Xiaomi's own XRING 03 chip built on a 3nm process. The device also sports a distinctive asymmetric design with curved corners on one edge.
The device introduces HyperRGB panels with full RGB subpixel structure, reaching 4,000 nits and adaptive 1-120Hz refresh rates. Its three-link hinge feels robust, though the phone is slightly thicker than Samsung's Fold 8 to accommodate a larger silicon-carbon battery. A special silicon nitride ceramic edition, promising lighter weight and better scratch resistance, was teased but not displayed.
The XRING 03 chip supports LPDDR6 memory and claims a 45% boost in on-device NPU decoding. Camera hardware includes a 200MP main sensor and a 50MP periscope telephoto, though no IP rating was announced. Priced at 10,999 yuan (about $1,640), it launches in red, black, and white, but remains exclusive to China for now.
The arrival of a lighter, stockier foldable with a custom chip could intensify competition in the premium smartphone market, particularly as Apple prepares its own entry. Consumers may benefit from improved battery life and processing efficiency, while the asymmetric design might influence future foldable aesthetics. However, the China-only launch could limit immediate global impact, potentially delaying widespread adoption of these innovations until international availability is confirmed.