At the IFA trade show, journalists gathered around a plexiglass cube on Xiaomi's booth, where a folded smartphone, the Xiaomi 18 Fold, was displayed. Set to launch on September 7th of next year, the device was shown in a striking cherry red color, both folded and unfolded. It featured a stand reminiscent of a luxury watch and was encased in glass, preventing direct interaction. The phone showcased two key features: a camera module with three sensors, including a periscope telephoto lens, and visible ripples on the internal screen when opened completely. These ripples suggest the use of a flexible display technology that is still being refined for foldable phones. The Xiaomi 18 Fold's technical specifications are impressive. It includes a "Jinshajiang" battery with a capacity of 6,000 mAh, which is significantly larger than the 4,800 mAh battery in the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8. The battery also features 20% silicon in its anode, which enhances energy density, and a density of 920 Wh/L. The device supports up to 67 W wired and 50 W wireless charging, outperforming Samsung’s 45 W and 20 W limits. Inside, the XRing O3 chip, fabricated using 3 nm process technology, features 10 CPU cores and a G2-Ultra NX GPU with 16 cores. The phone also includes LPDDR6 memory, which promises up to 113.8 Go/s of bandwidth, enhancing performance and multitasking capabilities. Xiaomi claims the device can achieve an AnTuTu score of "up to 5 million points," a benchmark that measures overall performance, although this was recorded under low-temperature laboratory conditions. The phone also includes a new "Dragon Bone" hinge with a three-tier structure, Dragon Crystal 3.0 glass, and a 7-series aluminum alloy chassis, which are designed to enhance durability and user experience. However, details about the fold's flexibility, weight, and thickness were not disclosed. The periscope telephoto lens is rumored to provide 3.5x optical zoom, a feature absent in the Galaxy Z Fold 8, which relies on digital zoom. This is also a feature the upcoming iPhone Ultra is said to skip, suggesting Xiaomi is targeting a niche market with advanced optical capabilities. Despite its impressive specs, the Xiaomi 18 Fold's availability outside of China remains uncertain. There is no mention of European certification or pricing, and the rumored starting price of around 12,000 yuan (about 1,500 euros) may make a European launch unviable. Xiaomi's XRing O1 chip, which is used in the 18 Fold, has not been released outside of China, hinting that the phone may remain an import item. Europeans may have to wait for the next generation if the XRing proves successful in the high-end market. For now, consumers may choose between the available Galaxy Z Fold 8 and wait for Apple's upcoming product launch.