The foldable iPhone Ultra is already influencing the wider smartphone industry, even though the device is not expected to launch until next month. Anticipation for foldable handsets is rising, and rival manufacturers are moving quickly to offer direct alternatives to Apple’s forthcoming flagship.
Xiaomi 18 Fold pre-orders surge
The Xiaomi 18 Fold is a wide-folding device comparable to the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and the upcoming iPhone Ultra. Reports indicate that pre-orders for the Xiaomi 18 Fold, also due to arrive next month though initially only in China, have drastically exceeded records from previous years.
This momentum follows strong global sales of the Galaxy Z Fold 8, with the wide-folding form factor renewing interest in foldable smartphones. Expectations for the foldable iPhone are similarly high, despite a rumoured price tag of more than £1,600.
Samsung’s role in the wide-folding shift
Samsung is the exclusive supplier of the displays for the iPhone Ultra. After designs leaked across the industry, Huawei responded by releasing the Pura X Max, a variation of its Pura X foldable. The Galaxy Z Fold 8 was subsequently revealed, and both handsets have performed strongly. The Xiaomi 18 Fold’s pre-order figures point towards a comparable result.
A renaissance for foldables
Apple’s arrival in any category tends to alter the landscape, and the iPhone Ultra is already being felt across the smartphone market ahead of its debut. Consumers now have more choice among foldable devices, and the wide-folding form factor has proved popular.
Additional manufacturers could enter the foldable segment if demand continues to climb alongside these new models. Apple also plans to release an all-glass iPhone at some point in the future.
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Image: phonearena.com
