Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 is currently one of the most talked-about foldable smartphones, and the attention around it keeps growing. Xiaomi, however, according to the latest leaks, does not want to be left out. A new foldable model is said to be in the works, which could be one of the most interesting alternatives to Galaxy Z Fold 8.
Xiaomi showed the MIX Fold 5 earlier than it wanted to
Although Xiaomi has not officially confirmed its name yet, in leaks it appears as Xiaomi MIX Fold 5, possibly Xiaomi 17 Fold, or Xiaomi 18 Fold. What’s more interesting than the name itself, though, is its construction.
The new foldable smartphone has appeared in leaked materials from the upcoming HyperOS 4 Setup Wizard. It is not classic product renders made for the sake of a leak. The device is shown directly in the system’s graphic materials, where Xiaomi demonstrates new features of HyperOS 4.
The device, referred to as Q18, has a wide book-style design and, once opened, offers a significantly more horizontally oriented internal display. Xiaomi uses it as a showcase device for the new system features.
This suggests it is not a random prototype. Q18 is expected to be one of the key devices on which Xiaomi is counting for full use of HyperOS 4.
Xiaomi is taking a slightly different approach than Samsung
The aspect ratio of the internal display could be one of the biggest weapons of the new Xiaomi. For years, Samsung in its Galaxy Z Fold series has been building its own idea of what a foldable phone should look like.
However, this year it arrived with the “wide / passport” format, which many people like. According to leaks, Xiaomi is heading in exactly this wider direction—one that, once opened, looks more like a small widescreen tablet than a classic "tall" foldable phone.
It’s also interesting that a similar wide format has been mentioned in leaks around the upcoming iPhone foldable in recent months. That means Xiaomi may be heading toward a direction that will become increasingly important for the next generation of foldable devices.
HyperOS 4 is counting on a foldable phone
The leaked screens also show that Xiaomi doesn’t want to simply adapt a standard smartphone interface for its foldable model. HyperOS 4 is supposed to use more widgets on the large display, horizontal device cards, and floating AI windows. There are also previews of the new Glass design, a revamped lock screen, Super XiaoAI, AI Notes, and Xiaomi HyperConnect.
Xiaomi is therefore, according to all signs, preparing a device that won’t just be another foldable phone in the lineup. Q18 is also expected to be one of the models on which the company will show what HyperOS 4 can do when paired with a large flexible display.
Inside, a new XRING O3 chip is expected
Another big unknown is the hardware. Leaks connect Q18 with the upcoming chipset XRING O3. Xiaomi has not revealed its parameters yet, so at this moment it’s not possible to talk with certainty about performance, manufacturing process, or the exact core configuration.
However, if the information is confirmed, Xiaomi could build its new foldable phone on its own high-end chip and make it a more direct competitor to Samsung’s most expensive foldable models.
Right now, there’s a lot of hype around the Galaxy Z Fold 8, and Samsung still has a very strong position in the foldable smartphone segment. Xiaomi is one of the manufacturers that can offer extremely aggressive hardware while also not being afraid to experiment.
That’s why the new MIX Fold 5 could be one of the few devices that can take on Samsung not only on price, but also with the concept itself. Of course, for now it’s best to keep expectations on the ground. Xiaomi has not officially confirmed the name MIX Fold 5, the specs of XRING O3, or the presentation date.
It’s also not yet certain whether Q18 will ultimately reach the global market under the same name. One thing is clear already, though. Xiaomi is preparing a new big foldable phone, and based on how deeply its design is integrated into HyperOS 4, it won’t be a side-line model.
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