The foldable smartphone market is heading into an especially busy September. While Apple is finally expected to enter the game with its first foldable iPhone, currently referred to as the iPhone Ultra, Xiaomi is preparing its response. And it could arrive just before Cupertino’s device.
The Xiaomi 18 Fold has now appeared in several leaked images. Beyond the timing, what really stands out is its form factor: Xiaomi appears to have opted for a shorter and wider device than traditional Fold models. It’s a trend that is starting to gain serious momentum.
Xiaomi 18 Fold appears ahead of its unveiling
Xiaomi has already confirmed that its new foldable smartphone will be unveiled in September. Images published on Weibo now show what could be an engineering prototype of the Xiaomi 18 Fold.
The difference is immediately noticeable. When closed, the phone has wider proportions, while opening it reveals an internal display that feels closer to a small tablet.
It is essentially the book-style concept taken a little further. Samsung has already moved in this direction with the Galaxy Z Fold 8, while Huawei has also been experimenting with less conventional proportions.
Xiaomi is also expected to use this model to showcase its XRING 03, the latest generation of its internally designed chip. This is particularly interesting: the Chinese company clearly no longer wants to rely exclusively on Qualcomm or MediaTek for its most strategically important devices.
A design that already recalls the iPhone Ultra
The most intriguing detail of this leak, however, is the design. The Xiaomi 18 Fold’s camera module shares some similarities with the renders and prototypes attributed in recent months to the upcoming iPhone Ultra.
Even the dark red finish seen on the prototype, close to a “Dark Cherry” color, echoes rumors surrounding the new iPhone 18 Pro models.
Some caution is obviously necessary. Apple has yet to officially show its foldable smartphone, and some of the images currently circulating online are based on mockups, CAD files or simple interpretations.
Xiaomi’s device, meanwhile, is expected to be unveiled on September 7, according to information reported by the French press, just two days before Apple’s announced September 9 event. It is difficult to see that timing as entirely accidental.
The book-style format seems to have won the battle
For several years, two different philosophies have competed in the foldable smartphone market.
On one side are clamshell models such as the Motorola Razr, primarily designed to turn a conventional smartphone into a more compact device. On the other are Fold-style phones capable of transforming into small tablets when opened.
In 2026, the second approach appears to have gained the upper hand in the premium segment.
Apple is also expected to embrace this concept. The latest leaks suggest the iPhone Ultra could feature an external display measuring around 5.3 to 5.5 inches and an internal panel between 7.6 and 7.8 inches. The device would therefore feel much closer to a small iPad than to an iPhone that simply folds in half.
That is precisely what makes the Xiaomi 18 Fold interesting: both manufacturers appear to be reaching a similar conclusion about what a premium foldable smartphone should look like.
Xiaomi mainly wants to beat Apple to the punch
In my view, the real question is not whether Xiaomi took inspiration from Apple or whether Apple simply followed a trend already visible among Android manufacturers.
The more interesting point is elsewhere: Apple’s arrival already seems to be changing the dynamics of the market before its first foldable has even gone on sale.
Xiaomi has every reason to unveil the 18 Fold just before the iPhone Ultra. It gives the company a chance to dominate the tech news cycle and, more importantly, remind everyone that Apple is entering a category Android manufacturers have been developing for several generations.
The real challenge begins after the announcements. A foldable smartphone is no longer defined by an impressive hinge alone. Thickness, battery life, display durability, the visibility of the crease, software and the way the large internal screen is used now make the difference.
A decisive September for foldable smartphones
The Xiaomi 18 Fold could ultimately become much more than another Galaxy Z Fold competitor. Its near-simultaneous arrival alongside the iPhone Ultra puts Xiaomi at the center of a battle that could push foldables into a completely new phase.
Apple will hold its event on September 9 and is expected to introduce the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max and its first foldable model. Xiaomi clearly has no intention of letting Apple take all the spotlight.
After years in which Fold devices remained fascinating but relatively niche products, 2026 could finally be the year this form factor moves into the mainstream ultra-premium smartphone market.
FAQ
When will the Xiaomi 18 Fold be unveiled?
Available information points to a presentation on September 7, 2026, just a few days after the first images of the device appeared online.
What form factor will the Xiaomi 18 Fold use?
It is expected to adopt a book-style foldable design, relatively short and wide when closed, with a large internal display when unfolded.
Which chip will power the Xiaomi 18 Fold?
Xiaomi has confirmed the use of the XRING 03, the latest generation of its in-house processor.
When will Apple unveil its foldable iPhone?
Apple has scheduled its next event for September 9, 2026. Its first foldable smartphone, often referred to as the iPhone Ultra in rumors, is expected to be one of the main announcements.
Is the Xiaomi 18 Fold copying the iPhone Ultra?
Some similarities can be seen in the leaks, particularly in the proportions and camera module. However, it is still too early to call it a copy: several manufacturers are now converging on wider foldable designs.
