Samsung Electronics faces a surging three-country market challenge in passport-sized foldables following the global release of the Galaxy Z Fold8 on Aug. 7, 2025, which topped 5 million units in preorders. Apple entered the competition by unveiling the iPhone Duo on Sept. 9, setting an Oct. 23 release date across roughly 70 markets including Korea, the United States, Britain, France, China, and Japan before expanding to about 100 countries. Meanwhile, Chinese manufacturer Xiaomi debuted the Xiaomi 18 Fold in China on Sept. 7, with plans for international sales expansion by the end of the year.
Global Foldable Smartphone Market Heating Up as Apple, Xiaomi Challenge Samsung
Hardware Specifications and Design Comparisons
Manufacturers are betting on distinct hardware profiles to capture consumer interest in the compact foldable sector. Samsung maintains an edge on portability, with the Galaxy Z Fold8 weighing 201 grams and measuring 4.5 millimeters thick when opened, compared to the Xiaomi 18 Fold at 219 grams and 5.02 millimeters, and the iPhone Duo at 254 grams and 5.2 millimeters. According to hands-on testing reported by The Verge at IFA, the Xiaomi 18 Fold features a short, squat design with a roughly 1.4:1 aspect ratio on both its 7.58-inch inner and 5.38-inch outer screens, matching international paper sizes and IMAX dimensions.
Battery Life and Processor Performance
Battery capacity and processing power vary significantly across the three flagship devices. Xiaomi’s 18 Fold packs a 6,000-milliampere-hour silicon-carbon battery supporting 67W wired and 50W wireless charging, outstripping the iPhone Duo at 5,400 milliampere-hours and the Galaxy Z Fold8 at 4,800 milliampere-hours. Apple states the iPhone Duo lasts up to 24 hours on a single charge with even screen usage. Under the hood, Samsung utilizes the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor, Apple powers the iPhone Duo with its A20 Pro chip, and Xiaomi equips the 18 Fold with its proprietary Xring O3 chipset paired with Arm’s Mali G2-Ultra NX GPU.
Durability and Camera Capabilities
Apple leads the group in environmental protection with an IP68 dust and water resistance rating for the iPhone Duo, surpassing the IP58 rating of the Xiaomi 18 Fold and the IP48 rating of the Galaxy Z Fold8. In the camera department, Xiaomi integrates a 200-megapixel main sensor developed with Leica alongside a 50-megapixel 3.5x periscope telephoto lens and a 50-megapixel ultrawide. This contrasts with Samsung’s 50-megapixel main camera and Apple’s 48-megapixel main and ultrawide setup, though both Samsung and Apple support 2-times optical-quality zoom through their main cameras.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do these foldable smartphones cost?
The 256GB iPhone Duo is priced at 3.29 million won in Korea, equivalent to approximately $2,420. The Galaxy Z Fold8 retails for 2.27 million won, roughly 1.01 million won less than Apple’s device. Xiaomi’s 18 Fold is the most affordable at 10,999 yuan, or about $1,640, in China.
What market share do analysts project for foldable phones?
Market researcher Omdia expects foldable-phone shipments to reach 45 million units by 2030, accounting for less than 3 percent of overall smartphone shipments.
Pricing and Mainstream Market Challenges
High upfront costs and repair expenses continue to restrict foldables to a niche following. An information technology industry source noted that repair costs, particularly concerning issues around the hinge, make the value proposition critical for buyers weighing the added expense. While the industry hopes passport-style devices can push foldables into the mainstream, market analysts emphasize that overcoming price barriers remains a primary hurdle.
What are your thoughts on the new wave of passport-sized foldables? Are you willing to pay over $2,000 for a foldable phone, or will you stick with traditional slab flagships? Let us know in the comments below!
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