Xiaomi is preparing to launch its next foldable smartphone, the Xiaomi 18 Fold, just days before Apple is expected to enter the foldable phone market with its first foldable iPhone.

The Xiaomi 18 Fold has now received its clearest look yet after well-known tipster Ice Universe shared a video of the device on X, simply describing it as the Xiaomi 18 Fold.

Xiaomi has also officially revealed the phone’s design and confirmed that the new foldable smartphone will launch in China on September 7.

The timing puts Xiaomi directly in the spotlight ahead of Apple’s September 9 event. Apple is widely expected to unveil its first foldable iPhone during the event, with reports suggesting the device could be known internally as the iPhone Ultra.

The two launches are separated by only two days, creating an interesting showdown between two major smartphone brands. Xiaomi will get the first opportunity to present its new foldable hardware before Apple reveals its own entry into the category.

The Xiaomi 18 Fold is expected to attract significant attention because Xiaomi has already established a presence in the foldable smartphone market. The company’s latest model could therefore serve as an important showcase of its approach to foldable design and technology.

The official design reveal also means consumers no longer have to rely entirely on leaked images to get an idea of what Xiaomi has prepared. More technical specifications and features are expected to become clearer as the September 7 launch approaches.

Apple’s expected foldable iPhone, meanwhile, could generate even greater attention because it would mark the company’s first major entry into the foldable smartphone segment.

The close launch schedule could make comparisons between the two devices almost unavoidable. Buyers and technology enthusiasts are likely to examine their designs, displays, thickness, cameras, software experience and overall approach to foldable smartphones.

For Xiaomi, launching the 18 Fold just two days before Apple’s expected announcement could provide valuable attention at a time when global interest in foldable phones is increasing.

Apple’s September 9 event could then shift the spotlight toward its own device, potentially making this one of the most closely watched periods for the foldable smartphone market.

With Xiaomi scheduled to launch the 18 Fold in China on September 7, the company is set to reveal more details before Apple takes the stage. The coming days could offer a clearer picture of how Xiaomi’s latest foldable compares with Apple’s highly anticipated first foldable iPhone.