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Xiaomi 18 Fold punta a sfidare Samsung e Apple con il suo formato passport: design, autonomia e prestazioni saranno allaltezza? Tra fotocamere, software e prezzo, ecco cosa pu renderlo un pieghevole davvero adatto a ogni giorno.
Xiaomi invited journalists to its Milan office last week to handle the brand?new 18 Fold, the first passport?format foldable that aims to challenge Samsung and Apple. During the brief demo we:
- recorded the devices weight,
- measured its hinge action
- and tested the two screens in everyday tasks.
The hands?on revealed whether the promised advantages live up to daily use or remain only on paper.
Design and build: does the passport form work in practice?
The external panel measures 5.38 inches with an asymmetric frame that feels surprisingly comfortable in the right hand. Despite the unusual shape, the device sits securely and the 219?gram weight feels balanced thanks to a 7000?series aluminium chassis. When opened, the internal display expands to 7.58 inches with rounded edges, delivering a tablet?like viewing area without the bulk of traditional foldables. The hinge moves smoothly and stays at any angle, allowing the phone to rest flat on a desk at 90 degrees. The crease is visible but less pronounced than on earlier models, and the dual?layer Ultra Thin Glass combined with an elastic organic film improves impact resistance by 258%.
Performance and battery: does the silicon?carbon pack deliver?
Under the hood the Xiaomi 18 Fold runs the proprietary XRING O3 SoC, a 3?nm chip with 24 billion transistors that boosts CPU performance by 60% while cutting power draw by 25%. The 6,000?mAh silicon?carbon battery supports 67?W wired and 50?W wireless charging, promising up to 1.5 days of mixed use. In our quick tests the device lasted a full workday with:
- heavy multitasking,
- video playback
- and gaming,
confirming that the battery advantage is real rather than theoretical. The chip also powers a quad?core NPU that accelerates AI tasks by 45%, making image processing and voice assistants feel snappy.
Camera and software: leveraging the foldable format
Xiaomi retained its partnership with Leica, equipping the 18 Fold with:
- a 200?MP main sensor,
- a 50?MP periscope telephoto with 160?mm equivalent zoom,
- and an ultra?wide lens.
HDR10+ and Dolby Vision support ensure vibrant colours on the large internal panel, while the external screen handles everyday shots and selfies without opening the device. The software layer, Hyper OS 4.0 on Android 17, introduces split?screen multitasking with up to six apps side?by?side, taking advantage of the expanded screen real estate. A sensor in the hinge detects the opening angle, enabling adaptive UI elements that change based on how the phone is positioned.
Pricing and competition: where does the 18 Fold stand?
In China the 18 Fold starts at 10,999 Yuan (about 1,450) for the 12?GB/256?GB model. Xiaomi Italia has not released an official list price yet, but the company promises a launch below 1,999. This undercuts Samsungs Galaxy Z Fold 8, which retails around 1,799, and positions the device competitively against rumors of an iPhone Duo priced above 2,000. Available colours include:
- Black,
- White,
- Red
- and a Ceramic edition,
though the latter may remain exclusive to Asia.
Verdict: everyday advantage confirmed
The 18 Fold may suit buyers who want a compact phone that opens into a larger screen for multitasking. Its balanced weight and smooth hinge stood out in the hands-on, while the short battery test is not enough to confirm long-term endurance.
Keep the price in perspective: Xiaomi Italia has not announced an official list price, and the promised launch price below 1,999 is not yet a confirmed retail price. The 18 Fold is worth considering if portability and the foldable screen are priorities, but buyers should compare the final local price and wait for longer-term battery and durability tests.