We tried Xiaomi’s thunder-stealing iPhone Ultra rival — here’s what the Xiaomi 18 Fold could tell us about Apple’s rumored foldable

Xiaomi has unveiled the Xiaomi 18 Fold, a foldable smartphone that bears a striking resemblance to Apple's rumored iPhone Ultra, just days before Apple is expected to launch its first foldable device. This Chinese phone features a 5.38-inch cover display and a 7.58-inch inner display, both with a 1.4:1 aspect ratio, which is almost identical to the 1.43:1 aspect ratio of an IMAX screen.

The Xiaomi 18 Fold's design, with its rounded corners both when closed and open, may actually be more similar to Apple's upcoming iPhone Ultra than the Galaxy Z Fold 8, which maintains straight edges regardless of its folded or unfolded state.

Unlike the Galaxy Z Fold 8, which has a pair of screens with 10:16 and 4:3 aspect ratios, the Xiaomi 18 Fold maintains a consistent 1.4:1 ratio in both its folded and unfolded states. This foldable is slightly heavier and thicker than its rival, measuring 10.68mm and weighing 219g when closed, and 5.02mm when unfolded. However, these dimensions are still considered thin and lightweight, particularly considering the device's suitability for video content.

The 1.4:1 aspect ratio of the Xiaomi 18 Fold is comparable to the 1.43:1 aspect ratio of an IMAX screen, indicating its potential for an immersive viewing experience.

The Xiaomi 18 Fold is powered by Xiaomi's in-house Xring O3 chip, boasts a 6,000mAh battery, and offers up to 16GB of RAM. These specifications suggest that the device can handle demanding tasks with ease. However, due to its launch being confined to China, users outside of the country will have to wait to experience these features.

The Xiaomi 18 Fold is set to launch in China for a starting price of ¥10,999, which is approximately $1,650 / £1,220 / AU$2,275 overseas. This price point is comparable to the Galaxy Z Fold 8's starting price, indicating that Apple's iPhone Ultra might also be priced similarly.