After years of rumors and speculation, Apple has finally released the long-awaited Apple foldable, officially called "iPhone Duo." The iPhone Duo starts at $1,999 with a 7.6-inch inner display, Apple's new 2nm A20 Pro chip, a titanium hinge, IP68 water resistance, and software redesigned specifically for a dual-screen iPhone.
Xiaomi's 18 Fold counters with a 7.58-inch AMOLED display, a 200MP Leica camera, a 6,000mAh battery, 67W wired charging, and a starting price of around $1,639.
On paper, Xiaomi wins several hardware battles. Apple wins some of the experience battles. But which matters more once you start unfolding the phone dozens of times a day?
Here's how they compare.
Ogbonda Chivumnovu
/1. Design: Xiaomi is lighter, Apple feels more premium
Foldables have always had a weight problem, and this is one area where Xiaomi has a clear advantage.
The Xiaomi 18 Fold weighs 219g, compared with 254g for the iPhone Duo. Both are also remarkably thin when unfolded, with Xiaomi measuring 5.02mm and Apple 5.2mm.
Apple uses Grade 5 titanium for the frame and hinge cover, while Xiaomi uses 7-series aluminum. Apple's hinge contains more than 100 components and uses a 3D-printed titanium cover. Xiaomi takes a different route with its three-link Dragon Bone hinge, which the company says underwent thousands of simulated drop tests and design changes.
For someone carrying a foldable around all day, that 35g difference is more significant than it looks on paper.
/2. Display: Apple focuses on the viewing experience
Both phones give you roughly the same amount of screen when unfolded, but they approach the display differently.
The Duo has a 7.6-inch OLED panel with a higher pixel density, ProMotion up to 120Hz, and Apple's nano-texture finish. That matte surface is designed to reduce reflections and gives the inner display a more paper-like appearance.
Xiaomi's 18 Fold has a slightly smaller 7.58-inch LTPO AMOLED display, but it can reach a claimed 4,000 nits of peak brightness. The outer and inner screens can also refresh between 1Hz and 120Hz.
Apple has the sharper display and a more unusual approach to glare. Xiaomi has the brighter panel.
/3. Software is Apple's strongest argument
This is where the two phones start to feel very different.
Xiaomi's HyperOS 4 takes a power-user approach. The 18 Fold can display up to six apps on its large screen, alongside a floating window. Xiaomi has also adapted more than 200 apps for its wide foldable display and added PC-style applications such as WPS and CapCut.
Apple has fewer multitasking options, but the entire operating system has been adapted around the foldable form factor.
iOS 27 moves navigation controls towards the side of the display, rotates the Dynamic Island when the phone is opened, and changes how the Home Screen works across the two panels. Apps are designed to react when the phone unfolds, rotates, or closes.
Split View allows two apps, or two windows from the same app, to run side by side. You can also save app pairs and reopen them together.
On paper, Xiaomi gives you more freedom. Apple's approach feels more deliberate.
That's important on a device you're likely to open and close constantly. The best foldable software isn't necessarily the one with the most windows. It's the one that makes the extra screen feel useful without making you think about how the interface works.
Subscribe for free to continue reading this article
Subscribe SubscribeAlready have an account? Log in
