Xiaomi has started selling its 18 Fold foldable smartphone in China, just two days after Apple unveiled its first foldable device, the iPhone Duo. Xiaomi officially launched the 18 Fold on September 7, while Apple introduced the iPhone Duo alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and other devices at its September 9 event. Xiaomi’s foldable is already available to consumers in China, whereas Apple’s device is scheduled to go on sale on October 23.

The two foldable smartphones feature a similar short and wide form factor, although Xiaomi’s model has rounded edges and a slightly wider body. Xiaomi describes the 18 Fold as its first mid-size foldable smartphone, designed to combine portability with a larger screen. When folded, the handset is roughly the size of a passport, while unfolding it reveals a 7.58-inch tablet-like display. The device weighs 219 grams and measures just 5.02mm thick when unfolded.

The Xiaomi 18 Fold features a 7.58-inch main display alongside a 5.38-inch cover screen. It is powered by Xiaomi’s XRING O3 processor and comes with either 12GB or 16GB of RAM. Storage options include 256GB, 512GB and 1TB, while the handset packs a 6,000mAh battery designed to support extended usage. The combination of a large internal display, high memory configurations and substantial battery capacity positions the device as a premium foldable offering.

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For photography, Xiaomi has equipped the 18 Fold with a triple rear camera system consisting of a 200MP primary sensor, a 50MP ultra-wide-angle camera and a 50MP telephoto camera. All three rear cameras carry Leica branding. The camera setup is aimed at giving the foldable a flagship-level imaging system while retaining a relatively slim profile.

The Xiaomi 18 Fold starts at around $1,540 in China, making its entry price lower than the iPhone Duo’s $1,999 starting price in the US. Xiaomi offers the foldable in Black, White, Red and a Ceramic finish. The standard model is available in four configurations: 12GB RAM with 256GB storage, 12GB with 512GB, 16GB with 512GB and 16GB with 1TB. The Ceramic variant is limited to the 16GB RAM and 1TB storage configuration.

For now, the Xiaomi 18 Fold remains exclusive to the Chinese market, meaning consumers in countries such as India will have to wait for any potential international launch. Its early availability gives Xiaomi a head start in selling its new foldable, while Apple’s first foldable is still weeks away from reaching customers. The contrasting launch timelines and pricing also set up an early comparison between the two devices in the growing premium foldable smartphone segment.

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