Xiaomi exhibited the Xiaomi 18 Fold, which it will introduce next week, at IFA 2026. Since the device in the glass display case could not be examined in hand, the behavior and ergonomics of the foldable screen could not be assessed; however, the body, screen proportions and camera placement were visible. The vivid red color looks brighter on the device than in images online. The phone combines the short and wide, passport-like form highlighted by the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 with rounded corners. The cover features a 5.38-inch screen; the left corners are more angular, the right side is more curved, and the bezels are thin. This design could offer a different experience for messaging and browsing when the phone is closed. The rounded corners are expected to reduce pressure during one-handed use; a definitive assessment cannot be made before the retail model is tested.
Why it matters
Xiaomi’s adoption of a short and wide body design for the Xiaomi 18 Fold shows that the closed-use experience is also becoming a key area of competition in foldable phones. The corner design, which stands out alongside the 5.38-inch cover screen, is particularly relevant to users’ messaging, browsing and one-handed-use habits. However, the fact that the device was not removed from the display case means that factors such as the behavior of the foldable screen and ergonomics, which could affect the decision to use the phone, have not yet been tested. In addition, the fact that the XRING O3 processor mentioned in the source headline is not explained in the text prevents a sound assessment of the hardware. Therefore, while the available information reveals the design direction, it leaves key questions about the everyday use experience and the processor unanswered.
Background
Xiaomi is not a new name in the FikirPilot archive: we have published 6 reports mentioning this name in the last 90 days; the latest is dated September 4, 2026.