Xiaomi 18 Fold Debuts September 7 With New Mid-Fold Design

The Xiaomi 18 Fold is set to launch in China on September 7, arriving with a wider "mid-fold" shape that Xiaomi says is built for one-handed use. The reveal puts the Xiaomi 18 Fold ahead of several rival foldables expected later this month, with the company sharing official images and core specs through outlets such as GSMArena ahead of the launch event.

A wider mid-fold shape
Xiaomi is calling the design a "mid-fold" format, with a 5.38-inch external cover display and a 7.58-inch internal screen when unfolded, sized between the narrow cover screens on some rivals and a full tablet-style unfold. Xiaomi says the wider cover screen is meant to work as a full phone on its own, without needing to open the device for everyday tasks.

The Xring O3 chip
Power comes from Xiaomi's own Xring O3 processor, a 3nm 10-core design paired with LPDDR6 memory from Chinese memory maker CXMT. Early benchmark listings put the chip ahead of several current flagship processors, continuing Xiaomi's push to build more of its silicon in-house rather than relying solely on Qualcomm or MediaTek.

Hinge and durability
The Xiaomi 18 Fold uses an updated "Dragon Bone" hinge mechanism and carries an IP68 water-resistance rating, addressing two of the biggest durability concerns buyers raise about foldable phones. Xiaomi has also reduced the visible crease on the inner display compared with earlier folding models in its lineup.

Camera system
Xiaomi again partnered with Leica on the optics, with a triple rear camera setup on the back of the device. Leica's color tuning has become a signature feature across Xiaomi's flagship line, and early images suggest the same processing carries over to the 18 Fold.

Price and availability
The Xiaomi 18 Fold is expected to start near 12,000 CNY, roughly $1,650, for the China launch. Xiaomi has not confirmed a release outside China, so buyers elsewhere may need to wait or import the device, which has been the case with several of Xiaomi's recent folding phones.

How it fits the foldable market
By launching before Apple's own foldable iPhone is expected to arrive, Xiaomi is positioning the 18 Fold as an early option for buyers ready to move to a foldable phone this year. A companion tablet, the Xiaomi Pad 9 Pro Max, is expected to be shown alongside it at the same event.

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