Fresh leaks have offered a closer look at the upcoming Xiaomi 18 Fold, revealing a revised wide-format design and a new “Dark Cherry” burgundy red finish ahead of its expected September launch. Photos originating from Chinese social media platform Weibo show an engineering prototype with a distinct capsule-shaped camera module, mirroring a device recently spotted in the hands of Xiaomi CEO Lei Jun. Powered by the company’s newly announced Xring O3 chipset, the next-generation foldable marks a significant design and hardware departure from last year’s Mix Fold 4.
Redesigned Form Factor
The latest images shared on Weibo showcase a notable shift in Xiaomi’s hardware strategy. Moving away from the taller, narrower profile of previous generations, the Xiaomi 18 Fold features a wider cover screen designed to improve one-handed usability and typing comfort.
On the rear, a protruding capsule-shaped camera island houses three lenses alongside a single LED flash. Images of the top edge reveal standard antenna bands, a microphone cutout, and a prominent speaker grille integrated into the frame. The tipster noted that the leak depicts an early engineering unit, meaning minor aesthetic adjustments could still occur before mass production begins.
Next Generation Silicon
Under the hood, the flagship foldable will reportedly debut Xiaomi’s custom-designed Xring O3 processor, succeeding the Xring O1 chip that launched with the Xiaomi 15S Pro. Built on an advanced deca-core architecture, the chip promises major performance gains for heavy multitasking and gaming workloads on the foldable screen.
During a recent official showcase, Xiaomi revealed that the Xring O3 logged a record-breaking AnTuTu benchmark score of 5,228,014. Core cluster speeds and architecture details showcase the aggressive performance targets set for this flagship processor:
• Deca-core CPU Architecture: Two high-performance C1-Ultra cores running at 4.35GHz handle peak loads, paired with four C1-Premium cores clocked at 3.68GHz for sustained performance, and four efficiency-focused C1-Pro cores running at 3.15GHz to optimize daily power consumption.
Key Specifications Comparison
Reports indicate that the Xiaomi 18 Fold introduces key structural upgrades, including an improved self-developed waterdrop hinge that reduces crease visibility while enabling full IP68 water and dust resistance.
| Feature | Xiaomi 18 Fold (Leaked) | Mix Fold 4 (Previous Gen) |
|---|---|---|
| Main Display | 7.76-inch LTPO OLED (120Hz) | 7.98-inch LTPO OLED (120Hz) |
| Cover Display | 6.56-inch LTPO OLED (120Hz) | 6.56-inch OLED (120Hz) |
| Processor | Xiaomi Xring O3 (Deca-Core) | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 |
| Rear Cameras | 200MP Leica Main + Dual Telephoto | 50MP Leica Main + Ultrawide + Dual Telephoto |
| Battery & Charging | 6,000mAh (100W Wired / 50W Wireless) | 5,100mAh (67W Wired / 50W Wireless) |
| Durability Rating | IP68 Dust and Water Resistance | IPX8 Water Resistance |
Camera and Battery
Imaging capabilities will serve as a major selling point for the upcoming flagship. The triple camera system, engineered in collaboration with Leica, is headlined by a massive 200-megapixel primary sensor. It is accompanied by two dedicated telephoto lenses designed to deliver versatile optical zoom capabilities across various focal lengths.
Power management also receives a significant bump with a large 6,000mAh battery unit. The device is expected to support 100W fast wired charging alongside 50W wireless charging, ensuring quick top-ups despite the larger dual-display energy demands.
Final Thoughts
The leak of the Xiaomi 18 Fold underscores Xiaomi’s broader ambition to dominate the premium foldable segment through in-house silicon innovation and refined industrial design. By pairing a more ergonomic, wider display ratio with the raw power of the Xring O3 processor and a 200MP Leica camera array, Xiaomi is positioning its next foldable not just as a niche productivity tool, but as an uncompromising mainstream flagship. If the September launch timeline holds true, this device could significantly raise the competitive bar for ultra-premium foldables in the second half of the year.