Xiaomi 18 Fold takes aim at iPhone with lighter build, bigger battery
The device features a 5.4-inch cover display that unfolds into a 7.6-inch inner screen.
Xiaomi has positioned its new 18 Fold as a direct competitor to Apple's latest foldable iPhone, offering a lighter body, a larger battery, faster charging, and a lower starting price.
The device features a 5.4-inch cover display that unfolds into a 7.6-inch inner screen. Both displays have a 1.4:1 aspect ratio, while a reviewer said the crease is barely noticeable during regular use.
The 18 Fold measures 5.02mm when unfolded and 10.7mm when folded, compared with 5.2mm and 11.3mm, respectively, for the iPhone. It weighs 219g, compared with 254g for the iPhone.
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The phone packs a 6,000mAh silicon-carbon battery and supports 67W charging, compared with 60W on the iPhone. Its displays can reach a peak brightness of 4,000 nits, compared with 3,000 nits on the iPhone.
The camera setup includes a 200-megapixel main camera, a 50-megapixel ultrawide camera and a 50-megapixel telephoto camera with 3.5x optical zoom. The phone also supports two physical SIM cards, an infrared blaster and face unlock.
The 18 Fold starts at around $1,640, compared with about $2,000 for the iPhone.
Multitasking and software
The phone can run up to eight apps simultaneously, with six in multitasking mode and two floating windows. Users can resize, switch and group apps.
However, the reviewer found the software less refined than the hardware. Some apps left unused space or had layout problems on the foldable display, including YouTube, Netflix, Pokémon Champions and the Google Play Store.
The reviewer said the iPhone's software appeared to be more specifically designed for its foldable form.
Performance and camera
Xiaomi says its second internally designed chip delivers a 60% faster CPU, an 85% faster GPU and 64% lower power consumption than its first chip.
However, a 3DMark stress test reportedly failed after less than 10 minutes due to overheating. A thermal camera also showed significant heat around the chip.
The reviewer also criticised the camera performance despite the 200-megapixel main sensor, saying its output was weaker than expected. The ultrawide camera reportedly showed visible grain even in well-lit video.
Other criticisms included the lack of stylus support, a less refined hinge, visible fingerprints, and harsh-sounding speakers.
The review found that the 18 Fold offers strong hardware specifications but still trails Apple in software optimisation and overall refinement.
