Xiaomi is once again challenging Apple with the introduction of the 18 Fold model, which the manufacturer claims is designed to surpass the iPhone Duo. A comparison of the two flagship devices has revealed both Xiaomi's impressive achievements and areas where Apple maintains its advantage.

Комплектация и первое впечатление

В отличие от Apple, которая поставляет свой iPhone Duo с минимальным набором (сам телефон и кабель), Xiaomi предлагает более щедрую комплектацию. В коробке с Xiaomi 18 Fold, помимо самого устройства, пользователь найдет зарядный блок и официальный чехол.

Design and Displays: Striking Resemblance

The Xiaomi 18 Fold astonishingly mirrors the dimensions of the iPhone Duo. The height of the devices matches to the tenth of a millimeter, and the external display size is also identical – 5.4 inches. This ensures similar ergonomics and one-handed usability, although it makes single-finger operation difficult on both devices.

The design of the external display is also identical: flat edges on the left side and large rounded corners on the right. Both devices use an aspect ratio of 1.4:1, similar to the A4 paper format, which allows for seamless content scaling when folded. The internal display of both smartphones has a diagonal of 7.6 inches, representing an enlarged version of the external screen. This means that applications and games optimized for one display should theoretically work correctly on the other as well. Another similarity is the almost complete absence of a crease on the internal screen, making it unnoticeable in most usage scenarios.

Technical Specifications: Is Xiaomi Ahead?

The Xiaomi 18 Fold surpasses the iPhone Duo in several key parameters:

• Thickness: 5.02mm versus 5.2mm for the iPhone when unfolded. When folded, the thickness is 10.7mm compared to Apple's 11.3mm.
• Weight: 219g versus 254g for the iPhone. This makes the Xiaomi one of the lightest foldable devices on the market, while the Apple becomes the heaviest.
• Battery: 6000mAh (silicon-carbon) versus approximately 4700mAh for the iPhone. The Xiaomi 18 Fold boasts record-breaking battery life among foldable smartphones.
• Charging: 67W versus Apple's 60W. It's worth noting that to achieve maximum charging speed, Apple requires the use of a special 40W adapter, which only briefly boosts power to 60W.
• Display Brightness: 4000 nits (Super Sunlight Panels) versus Apple's 3000 nits.
• Cameras: The Xiaomi is equipped with a triple camera system: a 200MP main sensor (with the capability of 200MP selfies), a 50MP ultra-wide sensor, and a 50MP telephoto lens with 3.5x optical zoom. The Apple has a similar camera array but lacks a dedicated telephoto lens.
• SIM Cards: The Xiaomi supports two physical SIM cards, while the iPhone has no SIM card slots.
• Additional Features: An IR blaster for controlling home appliances, a pre-installed screen protector on the external display, and a more convenient facial recognition system (though less secure than Face ID).

Software: Multitasking and Optimization

Apple proudly introduced a dual-app multitasking feature on its smartphone. Xiaomi, however, demonstrates significantly more advanced capabilities: simultaneous operation of up to six apps in split-screen mode and two floating windows. Users can easily switch between apps, resize windows, and manage them.

However, despite Xiaomi's impressive hardware capabilities, software optimization remains a weak point. Unlike Apple, which meticulously adapts its interface to the specificities of the foldable form factor, Xiaomi, in the author's opinion, has simply adapted standard smartphone software for the new form. This leads to the appearance of empty spaces on the sides of the screen, unoptimized display of interface elements in third-party applications (e.g., YouTube, Netflix, Pokémon Champions), and even issues with Xiaomi's own applications (camera, weather).

Durability and Cooling: Xiaomi's Compromises

The primary reason for the Xiaomi 18 Fold's lighter weight is the use of an aluminum frame instead of titanium, as seen in the iPhone. This could impact its durability and scratch resistance. Furthermore, despite using Xiaomi's own chip with claimed improved energy efficiency, the device experiences overheating issues. In 3D Mark stress tests, the phone failed to complete the test, overheating and force-closing the application in less than 10 minutes. Thermal imaging revealed that the heat is primarily concentrated in the chip's location, indicating poor heat distribution throughout the body.

Cameras and Additional Details

While the 200MP main camera sounds impressive, the sensor size is comparable to the base iPhone 17, and the author believes the image quality is inferior. The ultrawide camera also exhibits noticeable noise, even in good lighting conditions when recording video.

The Xiaomi 18 Fold also falls short of the iPhone in small but important details: the lack of stylus support, a lower quality and noisier hinge, the absence of a nano-texture screen coating (leading to glare and fingerprints), a more noticeable crease, and less pleasant speaker sound.

Conclusion

The Xiaomi 18 Fold offers an impressive set of features, surpassing the iPhone Duo in many aspects such as weight, price, battery capacity, and multitasking capabilities. However, despite these advantages, issues with software optimization, overheating, and certain compromises in design and materials prevent it from being an undisputed leader. Apple, in turn, is betting on a more holistic user experience, where hardware and software work in harmony, even if it means fewer "flex" features. The choice between the devices will depend on the user's priorities: maximum specifications and multitasking, or a more polished and balanced user experience.