Xiaomi is reportedly preparing a foldable phone that could stand out for one simple reason: its shape. Early leaks suggest a shorter and wider design than most book-style foldables, a move that could make the device feel more natural to use when closed.
The timing is notable because Apple’s rumored iPhone Ultra is also expected to enter the foldable conversation. If Xiaomi gets there first with a more practical format, it may force a fresh comparison around usability rather than only raw specifications.
A different foldable approach
Information tied to HyperOS code and shared by the trusted leaker Xiaobai Reviews on Weibo points to Xiaomi working on a compact foldable with a wider aspect ratio than the current Mix Fold line. The device is being linked to names such as Xiaomi 18 Fold or Mix Fold 5, although Xiaomi has not confirmed either name.
The biggest change is the rumored switch to a shorter, wider body. That layout is closer to the idea behind Huawei Pura X, and it could solve one of the most common complaints about traditional book-style foldables: the outer screen often feels too tall and narrow for everyday use.
Why the wider format matters
A wider outer screen can make a folded phone easier to use without opening it. Typing, browsing, and multitasking may feel closer to a standard smartphone experience, which is exactly where many foldables still struggle.
Once opened, the device would still deliver a large tablet-like display for more productive work. That combination of comfort when closed and scale when open is what makes the rumored form factor especially interesting.
Flagship hardware and camera upgrades are expected
Leaks also suggest Xiaomi wants to pair the new shape with flagship-grade hardware. Camera improvements are said to be part of the plan as well, though full specifications have not been confirmed.
Some social media commentary has mentioned possible features such as a 200MP camera, an Xring O3 chipset, and a Leica triple-camera system. Those details remain unverified and should be treated cautiously for now.
Apple looms in the background
The Xiaomi leak has gained extra attention because Apple is still rumored to be planning its own foldable, widely referred to as the iPhone Ultra. Current speculation points to a 2026 launch with a wider folding display and premium hardware.
If Xiaomi launches a compact wide-format foldable before Apple enters the category, it could position the company as one of the first Android brands to chase the same direction in product design. In a crowded foldable market, that kind of timing could matter as much as the hardware itself.
A broader test for Xiaomi’s foldable strategy
The leak also suggests Xiaomi is not just iterating on an existing formula. Instead, the company appears to be testing whether a new foldable shape can reduce the compromises that have long defined the category.
That matters in a market where Samsung remains a major rival and Huawei’s strong hardware ideas are limited in many Western markets by trade restrictions and sanctions. If Xiaomi can bring a wider foldable concept to more regions, it may find a clearer path to standing out globally.
For now, everything remains at the leak stage, and Xiaomi has not offered official confirmation. Even so, the direction revealed by HyperOS suggests a foldable that is being designed to feel less like a gadget experiment and more like a daily phone people may actually want to keep folded.
