We tried Xiaomis thunder-stealing iPhone Ultra rival heres what the Xiaomi
18 Fold could tell us about Apples rumored foldable

Date:
Tue, 08 Sep 2026 07:00:00 +0000

Description:
The Xiaomi 18 Fold is the latest in a growing line of shorter, wider
foldables here are our first impressions of the device.

FULL STORY ======================================================================Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Reddit Pinterest Flipboard Threads Email Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Subscribe to our newsletter If you thought the stubby form factor of the Galaxy Z Fold 8 was a passing craze, think again: Xiaomi has today launched the Xiaomi 18 Fold, a similarly proportioned device that arrives just days before the expected launch of Apple s first foldable, the iPhone Ultra.

Featuring a 5.38-inch cover display and a 7.58-inch inner display both of which have a 1.4:1 aspect ratio the Xiaomi 18 Fold mimics the Galaxy Z Fold 8s passport-style design (and indeed that of the China-only Huawei Pura X
Max) to deliver a flexible user experience across work, creativity, and entertainment. Mind you, the Xiaomi 18 Fold may actually have more in common with Apples imminent iPhone Ultra than the Galaxy Z Fold 8, given that it has two rounded corners when closed and four when open. The Galaxy Z Fold 8, meanwhile, is straight-edged whichever way you slice it. Latest Videos From TechRadar Watch full video here:

TechRadars Collections Editor, Ruth Hamilton, got hands-on with the Xiaomi 18 Fold at IFA 2026, and confirmed that the device is also ever-so-slightly shorter and wider than Samsung s latest foldable. The latter has a pair of screens measuring 5.5 inches and 7.6 inches, respectively, with each offering distinct 10:16 and 4:3 aspect ratios. The Xiaomi 18 Fold, by contrast, has a 1.4:1 ratio when both folded and unfolded. Image 1 of 4 The Xiaomi 18 Fold (Image credit: Future) The Xiaomi 18 Fold (Image credit: Future) The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 (Image credit: Lance Ulanoff / Future) The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 (Image credit: Lance Ulanoff / Future) Image 1 of 4 View Original
Image 2 of 4 View Original Image 3 of 4 View Original Image 4 of 4 View Original Xiaomis foldable is also a touch heavier and thicker than the Galaxy Z Fold 8. When closed, it measures 10.68mm and weighs 219g; when unfolded,
its 5.02mm thick. The latter device weighs just 201g and measures 9.7mm and 4.5mm, respectively. You may like Here's how the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and iPhone Ultra will fix foldables in 2026 Apple's late foldables arrival puts pressure on it to level up the category I compared the iPhone Ultra's rumored screen sizes to the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8

But were talking millimeters here. This is still a thin and lightweight foldable whose proportions are perfectly suited to video content. Tellingly, the Xiaomi 18 Folds 1.4:1 aspect ratio is almost identical to the 1.43:1 aspect ratio of an IMAX screen.

While we didnt get to watch any movies on the device in our short hands-on time with it, we can attest to the superior entertainment experience
delivered by the Galaxy Z Fold 8s shorter and wider form factor . 4:3 is slightly taller and squarer than 1.43:1, but given that most video content is presented in 16:9, the video-watching experience is likely to be similar across both devices. Get daily insight, inspiration and deals in your inbox Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more.
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us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over. Image 1 of 2 The Xiaomi 18 Fold is 10.68mm thick (Image credit: Future) The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 is 9.7mm thick (Image credit: Future / Tom Bedford) Image 1 of 2 View Original Image 2 of 2 View Original Incidentally, despite being rumored to have similar-looking rounded corners
to the Xiaomi 18 Fold, the iPhone Ultra is tipped to match the Z Fold 8s 4:3 unfolded aspect ratio . Were expecting Apples device to have a cover display of between 5.3 and 5.49 inches, and a foldable display of between 7.7 and 7.8 inches.

Its also, however, rumored to be slightly shorter and wider than the Z Fold
8. This may again make it look closer in appearance to the Xiaomi 18 Fold, even if its screens are most closely aligned to the Galaxy's.

Other features of Xiaomis latest foldable include a pill-shaped camera bar with three Leica-optimized cameras: a 200MP main, a 50MP ultra-wide, and a 50MP telephoto with 3.5x optical zoom. What to read next 5 WWDC 2026 clues that tell us Apple is about to release a foldable iPhone Ultra Apple's iPhone Ultra could increase average foldable phone prices by 18% 5 major features
the foldable iPhone Ultra might be missing

This could be where the Xiaomi 18 Fold pulls ahead of the competition the Z Fold 8 doesnt have a telephoto camera, and the iPhone Ultra is likewise rumored to launch with just two cameras (a wide and an ultra-wide). Image 1
of 2 (Image credit: Future) (Image credit: Future) Image 1 of 2 View Original Image 2 of 2 View Original Under the hood, the Xiaomi 18 Fold is powered by Xiaomis in-house Xring O3 chip, a 6,000mAh battery, and up to 16GB of RAM. These are strong internal specs. Unfortunately, you wont be able to put them to the test unless you live in China; the Xiaomi 18 Fold is only launching in Xiaomis home market for a starting price of 10,999.

That figure would make the phone around $1,650 / 1,220 / AU$2,275 overseas, which, before import tariffs and local taxes, isnt far off the $1,899 / 1,699 / AU$2,699 starting price of the Galaxy Z Fold 8. Might the iPhone Ultra cost a similar sum? Well find out tomorrow (September 9), when Apples Surprise and Shine event gets underway. Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our expert news, reviews, and opinion in your feeds.



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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/phones/xiaomi-phones/we-tried-xiaomis-thunder-steali ng-iphone-ultra-rival-heres-what-the-xiaomi-18-fold-could-tell-us-about-apples -rumored-foldable


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