New Delhi: Xiaomi is preparing to launch its next foldable smartphone, the Xiaomi 18 Fold, in China on September 7. The company confirmed the launch date at IFA 2026 in Berlin, setting up an interesting showdown with Apple’s much-rumoured first foldable iPhone, which is expected to be unveiled shortly afterwards.
The Xiaomi 18 Fold is expected to adopt a passport-style design, combining a relatively compact outer display with a considerably larger screen when unfolded. The upcoming smartphone is also expected to introduce Xiaomi’s own Xring O3 flagship processor and become one of the first smartphones to use LPDDR6 RAM.
While Xiaomi has confirmed the launch date and some design details, several specifications currently circulating online remain based on leaks and should not be treated as official until the company announces them.
Xiaomi 18 Fold price tipped to cross ₹1.4 lakh
According to a leak cited by India Today, tipster Digital Chat Station has claimed that the Xiaomi 18 Fold could be priced at more than CNY 10,000, which translates to roughly ₹1.4 lakh.
That would make the upcoming foldable more expensive than Xiaomi’s previous Mix Fold 4, which started at CNY 8,999, or around ₹1.27 lakh.
Despite the higher price compared with its predecessor, the Xiaomi 18 Fold could still be positioned below Apple’s expected premium foldable, which has been widely referred to as the iPhone Ultra in leaks.
However, neither the final Xiaomi price nor the expected Indian price has been confirmed. The CNY-to-rupee conversion is also only an approximate comparison and does not account for taxes, duties or regional pricing.
Passport-style foldable design
The design is expected to be one of the Xiaomi 18 Fold’s biggest talking points.
According to the company’s teaser, the device will feature a 5.38-inch cover display that expands into a 7.58-inch internal screen when unfolded. Xiaomi describes the folded form as being roughly the size of a passport.
This approach attempts to bridge the gap between traditional large foldables and compact foldable phones.
A conventional book-style foldable provides a large internal screen but can be relatively bulky when folded. Compact foldables are easier to carry but generally sacrifice screen size.
The Xiaomi 18 Fold appears designed to offer a balance between the two.
The leaked and teased design also shows the smartphone in a deep red finish, with a horizontal camera island on the rear.
Leica cameras and a new hinge
Xiaomi has confirmed that Leica has collaborated on the camera system of the Xiaomi 18 Fold.
The rear camera module appears to feature three cameras alongside an LED flash. A leak also suggests that the primary camera could use a 200-megapixel sensor, although Xiaomi has not officially confirmed that specification.
The company is also introducing what it calls a “dragon bone” hinge.
Xiaomi says it has used a simulation-based testing system to assess the hinge and improve the overall durability of the foldable. Hinge durability remains one of the biggest concerns with foldable smartphones, making this an important part of Xiaomi’s hardware development.
The company’s approach will be closely watched because repeated folding and unfolding places considerably more stress on a foldable device than on a conventional smartphone.
Xring O3 processor replaces Snapdragon
Under the hood, Xiaomi is expected to make a significant change from its earlier Mix Fold models.
The Xiaomi 18 Fold will be powered by Xiaomi’s own Xring O3 flagship processor, rather than a Qualcomm Snapdragon chip.
The move indicates Xiaomi’s growing effort to use its own silicon in premium smartphones.
The Xring O3 is also expected to power some of the other products being announced at the same event, including the Xiaomi Pad 9 Pro Max.
The shift to an in-house processor could give Xiaomi greater control over hardware and software optimisation, although real-world performance will only become clear after the device is officially launched and tested.
LPDDR6 RAM could boost multitasking
Another major hardware highlight is expected to be LPDDR6 RAM.
The Xiaomi 18 Fold is tipped to be among the first smartphones to use the newer memory standard. Faster and more efficient memory can potentially improve multitasking and overall system responsiveness, particularly on a foldable device where users may frequently run multiple applications simultaneously.
However, Xiaomi has not yet disclosed the complete RAM configurations for the phone.
More information about memory capacity, storage options and performance is expected during the September 7 launch event.
6,000mAh battery and fast charging tipped
Battery capacity could be another area where Xiaomi’s foldable stands out.
According to a leak from tipster Bald Panda cited in the report, the Xiaomi 18 Fold could feature a 6,000mAh battery.
The device is also tipped to support 67W wired charging and 50W wireless charging.
If confirmed, these specifications would give the Xiaomi foldable a substantial battery compared with several competing book-style foldables.
A larger battery could be particularly useful because the 7.58-inch internal display is likely to consume more power during activities such as video playback, gaming and multitasking.
However, the battery capacity and charging specifications remain unconfirmed leaks at this stage.
Xiaomi 18 Fold launch date and other products
Xiaomi will officially unveil the 18 Fold on September 7 in China.
The foldable will reportedly be launched alongside several other products, including the Xiaomi N70 Pro, N70 Max, N90 Max and Xiaomi Pad 9 Pro Max. The tablet is also expected to use Xiaomi’s Xring O3 processor.
The September event could therefore become one of Xiaomi’s biggest hardware announcements of the year.
For the 18 Fold specifically, attention will be focused on its final pricing, availability, camera specifications, battery capacity and the company’s plans for international markets.
Xiaomi 18 Fold vs Apple’s expected foldable
The timing of Xiaomi’s launch is particularly interesting because it comes only two days before the expected unveiling of Apple’s first foldable device.
Leaked images of Apple’s so-called iPhone Ultra have suggested a design that could resemble Xiaomi’s passport-style approach. However, Apple’s product has not been officially announced, and the final specifications, name and pricing remain subject to confirmation.
Xiaomi could therefore get an early opportunity to establish itself in the emerging ultra-premium foldable segment before Apple enters the category.
If the leaked price of more than ₹1.4 lakh proves accurate, Xiaomi’s device could still be positioned as a comparatively less expensive alternative to Apple’s expected foldable.
But the comparison will ultimately depend on the final prices and specifications of both products.
India availability remains unclear
For Indian buyers, one of the biggest unanswered questions is whether the Xiaomi 18 Fold will be launched in India.
The September 7 event is confirmed for China, but Xiaomi has not confirmed an Indian launch date in the report.
This means the approximate ₹1.4 lakh figure should not be considered an expected Indian retail price.
Indian pricing, if the smartphone eventually launches in the country, could be considerably different because of taxes, import costs, currency fluctuations and Xiaomi’s regional pricing strategy.
What to expect from the September 7 launch
The Xiaomi 18 Fold is shaping up to be a significant addition to the foldable smartphone market.
The combination of a passport-sized folded design, 7.58-inch internal display, Leica camera collaboration and Xiaomi’s own Xring O3 processor gives the device several premium talking points.
The expected LPDDR6 RAM, 6,000mAh battery and fast charging could further strengthen its hardware credentials if the leaks prove accurate.
However, buyers should wait for Xiaomi’s official announcement before treating the leaked specifications as final.
Conclusion
The Xiaomi 18 Fold will launch in China on September 7, bringing a passport-style foldable design with a 5.38-inch cover display and 7.58-inch internal screen.
Xiaomi has confirmed the use of its Xring O3 processor and Leica camera collaboration, while leaks point to LPDDR6 RAM, a 6,000mAh battery, 67W wired charging, 50W wireless charging and potentially a 200-megapixel main camera.
The biggest attraction could be its price. A leak suggests the phone may cost more than CNY 10,000, or roughly ₹1.4 lakh, potentially making it cheaper than Apple’s expected premium foldable.
Still, the price, several specifications and international availability remain unconfirmed. Xiaomi’s September 7 event should provide the definitive details.