Xiaomi 18 Fold Leaks Reveal Book‑Style Design Ahead of iPhone Ultra

Xiaomi’s upcoming 18 Fold has surfaced in a series of leaked images that suggest the company is following the “book‑style” fold trend set by Samsung and expected to be adopted by Apple with its iPhone Ultra. The leaked photos, posted by a Weibo user named Peter, appear to depict a prototype rather than a final product, but they give clear indications of the device’s design direction and its potential competition with the iPhone Ultra.

The most significant takeaway from the leaks is that Xiaomi is opting for the book‑style fold, also called the “fold” form factor, rather than the flip design that has dominated the past few years. In a book‑style fold, the phone opens like a notebook, expanding from a smartphone size to a small tablet‑sized display. Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 8, released last month, is the current flagship of this format and has set the benchmark for the market. The iPhone Ultra is expected to adopt a similar design next month, which would bring a third major player into the fold‑style arena.

In contrast, the flip design folds a smartphone in half, resulting in a thicker but shorter device. The Motorola Razr is a well‑known example of this type, a design that Motorola revived in 2019 after first popularizing it in 2004. The flip format offers a standard‑sized screen in a more pocket‑friendly form, but it has not gained the same popularity as the book‑style fold.

The Xiaomi 18 Fold leaks show a camera island that bears a striking resemblance to the rumored layout of the iPhone Ultra. The camera module is positioned on the rear panel in a compact cluster, similar to the design Apple is expected to use. The overall silhouette of the device in the images is a thin, rectangular shape that would fold into a larger screen when opened. The leaked prototype appears to be a dark cherry color, a shade that has been rumored to be part of the iPhone 18 Pro color palette. According to the 9to5Google sister site, the color choice may have been influenced by those rumors.

While the photos do not reveal the full specifications of the device, they do provide clues about Xiaomi’s approach to the foldable market. The camera island’s layout, the device’s color, and the book‑style fold suggest that Xiaomi is aiming to compete directly with Samsung and Apple in the high‑end foldable segment. The fact that the leaked images appear to be a prototype indicates that Xiaomi is still refining the design, but the company is clearly moving forward with the book‑style fold.

The timing of the leaks is significant, as Apple is set to unveil the iPhone Ultra next month. With the iPhone Ultra expected to adopt a book‑style fold, Xiaomi’s 18 Fold could be released around the same time or shortly thereafter, positioning the company as a direct competitor in the foldable market. If Xiaomi’s design proves to be well‑received, it could broaden the options available to consumers who are interested in a foldable device that offers a larger screen when opened without compromising pocketability.

In summary, the Xiaomi 18 Fold leaks confirm that the company is pursuing the book‑style fold, aligning its design with the trend set by Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 8 and the upcoming Apple iPhone Ultra. The leaked prototype shows a camera island reminiscent of the iPhone Ultra and a dark cherry color that may be influenced by rumored iPhone 18 Pro shades. As the foldable market continues to evolve, Xiaomi’s entry could intensify competition and give consumers more choices in high‑end foldable smartphones.