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| Powerful hardware, but by no means flawless - Xiaomi 18 Fold review |
The foldable market just got a lot more interesting. Xiaomi's latest entrant, the Xiaomi 18 Fold, arrives with an unconventional wide-format design that sets it apart from the typical book-style foldables we've seen from Samsung and others. But does this bold approach pay off? After spending time with the device, here's what you need to know.
A Form Factor That Turns Heads
Unlike the elongated foldables we're used to, the Xiaomi 18 Fold embraces a wider, more square-like profile. When unfolded, you're greeted with a generous 7.58-inch AMOLED display that feels almost like a mini tablet. Folded, the device remains surprisingly pocketable thanks to its slim 5mm profile (though our measurements came in slightly higher at 5.5mm).
The build quality is impressive, with Xiaomi's Dragon Crystal Hinge keeping the display impressively flat. The crease? You'll barely notice it unless you're actively searching for it. The device carries an IP58 rating, making it splash-resistant, though it's worth noting it's not fully dustproof.
Display: Bright Where It Counts
Xiaomi has equipped the 18 Fold with two exceptional OLED panels. The 7.58-inch inner display hits an impressive 3,759 nits in HDR mode, ensuring excellent visibility even under harsh sunlight. The 5.38-inch cover display isn't a slouch either, reaching similar brightness levels.
Both screens offer a smooth 120Hz refresh rate and excellent color accuracy when using the Pro Warm profile. However, sensitive users should be aware of the PWM flickering at 120Hz, which could cause eye strain for some.
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| Xiaomi 18 Fold |
Performance: Xiaomi's Own Silicon Steps Up
Under the hood, the Xiaomi 18 Fold runs on the company's in-house Xring O3 processor built on a 3nm process. Paired with up to 16GB of LPDDR6 RAM, this chip delivers impressive performance in most scenarios. The device handles multitasking with ease, and benchmarks show it trading blows with Snapdragon-powered competitors.
That said, sustained performance tells a different story. During stress tests, the phone throttled significantly, losing around 40% of its performance under prolonged load. Gaming sessions may require some patience as the device heats up and dials back the clocks.
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| Xiaomi 18 Fold |
One area where the Xiaomi 18 Fold truly shines is battery life. The 6,000 mAh silicon-carbon battery delivered an impressive 26 hours in our Wi-Fi browsing test. Even with heavy use, you'll comfortably make it through a full day.
Charging is quick too, with 67W wired charging taking the device from empty to 100% in just 47 minutes. Wireless charging at 50W is also supported for added convenience.
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| Xiaomi 18 Fold |
The camera system on the Xiaomi 18 Fold is led by a 200MP main sensor that captures detailed shots with vibrant colors. The 50MP periscope telephoto lens offers 3.5x optical zoom, while a 50MP ultra-wide rounds out the package.
In good lighting, photos look excellent with plenty of detail. Low-light performance is decent, though some detail is lost in shadows. The selfie camera does its job well, though skin smoothing can be a bit aggressive.
Software and Connectivity: The Import Caveats
Running HyperOS 4.0 based on Android 17, the Xiaomi 18 Fold offers a smooth experience with Google services working reliably. Xiaomi has expanded language support for its Chinese models, making imports more viable than ever.
However, there are compromises. Android Auto doesn't work, eSIM isn't supported, and the 6GHz Wi-Fi band is absent. Update support is also unclear, which is a concern for long-term ownership.
The Verdict
The Xiaomi 18 Fold is a genuinely exciting device that pushes foldable design in a new direction. Its gorgeous displays, excellent battery life, and capable cameras make it a compelling option for those willing to navigate the import process.
Pros:
- Bright, high-quality displays
- Barely visible crease
- Strong performance
- Excellent battery life
- Capable camera system
Cons:
- No eSIM support
- Missing 6GHz Wi-Fi
- Software limitations for international users
- Underwhelming speakers
- Performance throttling under load
Where to Buy
If the Xiaomi 18 Fold has caught your attention, you can import it through trusted retailers like TradingShenzhen, where the 12GB/256GB variant is available for around €1,677.
For those looking for alternatives or accessories, check out these options:
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| Xiaomi 18 Fold |