A CNET survey found 55% of US adults say a lower price would push them to upgrade their phone, while 52% cite longer battery life and 38% want more storage. Only 12% said AI features would motivate an upgrade, and just 13% said a new form factor like a foldable would sway them. The findings come ahead of Apple's Sept. 9 event, where the company is expected to unveil its first foldable iPhone alongside new iPhone 18 Pro models.
Xiaomi has released the Xiaomi 18 Fold in China, its first wide-format foldable, featuring a 5.38-inch cover screen and a 7.58-inch inner display with a 2:1 aspect ratio, both running at up to 120Hz and 4,000 nits brightness. The phone runs on Xiaomi's own XRing 03 chipset, up to 16GB RAM, 1TB storage, and a 6,000mAh battery with 67W wired and 50W wireless charging, starting around $1,639 with no confirmed global launch yet.
A long-time foldable phone user argues that Apple's upcoming iPhone Ultra, expected to launch September 9, will likely carry over many of the same compromises seen in Android foldables. These include a soft plastic folding display prone to scratches, a factory-applied screen protector users typically cannot remove, and other durability and design tradeoffs common to the foldable category.
As foldable phones get thinner, their camera modules still need bulky sensors, forcing a protruding camera bump that unbalances the device when placed on a flat surface. Users of the Galaxy Z Fold 8 have complained on Reddit about the wobble caused by its vertically placed rear camera module, with some reportedly removing the cameras entirely out of frustration.
At IFA in Berlin, Xiaomi unveiled a new passport-shaped foldable phone positioned as a rival to Apple's rumored folding iPhone, alongside three Mijia-branded home appliances: a Cryo Fresh refrigerator with air circulation and nano blue light sterilization, a Tri-Drum Washer Dryer Pro claiming 35% better energy efficiency, and a high-power Conditioner Turbo Pro. The launch marks Xiaomi's push to bring its broader Mijia ecosystem brand into European markets, building on smart home products already sold there.
According to The Elec, Google is expected to adopt a dual ultra-thin glass (UTG) screen structure for the Pixel 12 Pro Fold's inner display, following a similar approach reportedly used in Apple's upcoming foldable iPhone. OPPO and vivo are also said to be moving toward this same structure for their next foldable devices.
Apple is set to unveil its first foldable phone, the iPhone Ultra, alongside the iPhone 18 Pro line at next week's event. While earlier rumors suggested a delay into late 2026 or even 2027, the most recent supply chain reports from Weibo leaker Fixed Focus Digital and Cailian News Agency indicate the device remains on track for a September release, though with very constrained initial stock.
According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, Apple has internally prototyped and tested an Apple Pencil designed for its upcoming foldable iPhone, reportedly called the iPhone Ultra. However, Gurman says it's unlikely the stylus will be included when the device debuts at Apple's Sept. 9 event, with a shorter 'stubbier' Pencil variant possibly coming later.
Apple will hold its fall hardware event on September 9, reportedly skipping a new base iPhone 18 this year in favor of launching Pro models alongside its first foldable device, expected to be called the iPhone Ultra. The event also marks a leadership shift, coming just days after John Ternus takes over as CEO from Tim Cook, who is stepping down after nearly 15 years leading the company.
An Android Authority reviewer who tests dozens of phones annually reports being unable to put down the Galaxy Z Fold 8 nearly two weeks after switching his SIM into it. The writer, who has historically preferred clamshell foldables over book-style ones, says Samsung's latest model finally closes the gap between niche enthusiast gadget and a phone suited for everyday users. Despite acknowledging the device has flaws, the reviewer says its form factor outweighs them.
New real-world images shared on Weibo reveal the unreleased Xiaomi 18 Fold in a dark red color, showing its triple-rear-camera module for the first time after earlier leaks kept the cameras hidden. The design closely resembles Huawei's Pura X Max, and the device is expected to debut with Xiaomi's new in-house XRing O3 chipset sometime in September.
Apple has scheduled its 'Surprise and Shine' event for September 9, streamed via its website, Apple TV, the Developer app and YouTube at 10 a.m. PT. The event is expected to introduce new iPhone hardware, including a possible foldable iPhone and updated iPhone 18 Pro models, and will mark incoming CEO John Ternus' first public appearance in the role.
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