Foldable phones have a new heavyweight. Apple announced its first foldable, the iPhone Duo, on September 9, 2026, putting it in direct competition with Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold line and Xiaomi’s book-style foldables.
This comparison covers release dates, price, weight, battery, chips, displays, and cameras so you can see how Apple’s debut compares with the competition.
A note on the names. Samsung’s current book-style foldable is the Galaxy Z Fold 8, which went on sale in August 2026. A Galaxy Z Fold 9 has not been released, and early reports point to a launch around mid-2027, so this guide compares the Z Fold 8. For Xiaomi, we use the Mix Fold 5, which has been widely reported but not fully confirmed by the company, so treat its figures as expected rather than final.
iPhone Duo vs Galaxy Z Fold 8 vs Xiaomi Mix Fold 5 at a Glance
| Spec | iPhone Duo | Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 | Xiaomi Mix Fold 5 (reported) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Announced | September 9, 2026 | July 22, 2026 | Expected around August 2026 (not confirmed by Xiaomi) |
| On sale | Pre-orders October 16; ships October 23, 2026 | August 7, 2026 | Reported China-first |
| Starting price (US) | $1,999 (256GB) | $1,899.99 (256GB) | About CNY 10,000 (roughly $1,380) expected in China |
| Chip | Apple A20 Pro (2nm) | Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy | Xiaomi Xring O3 (3nm), reported |
| Inner display | 7.6-inch OLED, 120Hz | 7.6-inch LTPO OLED, 4:3 | About 7.6 to 8 inches, LTPO AMOLED, 120Hz (sources vary) |
| Outer display | 5.4-inch OLED, 120Hz | 5.4-inch cover screen | See Xiaomi’s specs when confirmed |
| Weight | 254 g | 201 g | Not confirmed |
| Thickness (unfolded) | 5.2 mm | 4.5 mm | Not confirmed |
| Battery | Not stated in mAh; Apple rates 24 to 44 hours depending on screen use | 4,800 mAh | 6,000 mAh with 80W wired charging, reported |
| Storage | 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TB | 256GB, 512GB, 1TB | 256GB+ reported |
| RAM | See Apple’s specs | Up to 16GB | 12GB reported |
Prices are US launch prices where available. Xiaomi figures come from reports and leaks and may change.
Release Dates
- Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8: announced July 22, 2026, with pre-orders that day and wide availability from August 7, 2026.
- Xiaomi Mix Fold 5: reports pointed to an August 2026 launch window and a China-only release. Xiaomi has not confirmed every detail, so check the company for current availability.
- Apple iPhone Duo: announced September 9, 2026, with pre-orders from October 16 and sales from October 23 in the US and more than 70 countries, followed by more markets on October 30.
Price
iPhone Duo
The iPhone Duo starts at $1,999 for 256GB and rises to about $3,199 for the 2TB model. That makes it the most expensive of the three at launch.
Galaxy Z Fold 8
The Z Fold 8 starts at $1,899.99 for 256GB, with 512GB at about $2,099.99 and 1TB at about $2,499. A heavier Z Fold 8 Ultra variant also exists.
Xiaomi Mix Fold 5
Xiaomi is expected to price it around CNY 10,000 in China, roughly $1,380, which is lower than Apple and Samsung. Prices outside China, if it launches there, may be higher.
Weight and Dimensions
- iPhone Duo: 254 g. Closed, it measures 84.1 × 117.8 × 11.3 mm. Open, it is 164.6 mm wide and 5.2 mm thick. It is the heaviest iPhone ever made.
- Galaxy Z Fold 8: 201 g, the lightest Fold so far. Closed, it measures 123.9 × 81.9 × 9.7 mm. Open, it is 161.4 × 123.9 × 4.5 mm.
- Xiaomi Mix Fold 5: weight and dimensions were not confirmed at the time of writing.
The Galaxy Z Fold 8 is about 53 grams lighter than the iPhone Duo and thinner when unfolded. Samsung’s Z Fold 8 Ultra weighs about 215 g and is about 4.1 mm thick unfolded. The Duo’s squat, wide shape when closed feels more like a small passport than a traditional phone, so try holding each before buying.
Chips and Performance
- iPhone Duo: the A20 Pro, Apple’s 2nm chip also used in the iPhone 18 Pro, with vapor-chamber cooling to sustain performance.
- Galaxy Z Fold 8: Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy with up to 16GB of RAM, aimed at multitasking across two screens.
- Xiaomi Mix Fold 5: reportedly uses Xiaomi’s in-house Xring O3, a 3nm chip with a prime core around 4.05GHz. If accurate, it would be the most notable chip story of the three, though real-world performance remains unproven.
Displays
The iPhone Duo and Galaxy Z Fold 8 both pair a 7.6-inch inner screen with a 5.4-inch outer screen. Apple’s panels run up to 120Hz with up to 3,000 nits of outdoor brightness. The Z Fold 8 uses a 4:3 inner display. Reports on the Xiaomi’s inner display range from about 7.6 to nearly 8 inches with a 120Hz LTPO AMOLED panel.
Battery Life
Apple rates the iPhone Duo at up to 31 hours of use on the inner display, 44 hours on the outer display, and about 24 hours when using both equally. Apple does not list battery capacity in mAh in its marketing. The Galaxy Z Fold 8 has a 4,800 mAh battery. The Xiaomi Mix Fold 5 is reported to carry a 6,000 mAh battery with 80W fast wired charging and wireless charging, which would make it the largest by capacity.
Cameras
- iPhone Duo: dual 48MP rear cameras (main and ultra wide), a 12MP outer camera, and a hidden under-display inner camera.
- Galaxy Z Fold 8: 50MP main and 50MP ultra-wide cameras, plus its cover and inner selfie cameras.
- Xiaomi Mix Fold 5: reported to use a 200MP main sensor with additional rear cameras and dual 32MP front cameras.
Software and Updates
The iPhone Duo runs iOS. The Galaxy Z Fold 8 ships with Android 17 and One UI 9 and promises seven years of updates. The Xiaomi is expected to run HyperOS on Android 17.
Colors
The iPhone Duo comes in Star White and Night Sky. Check Samsung’s and Xiaomi’s pages for their current color options in your region.
Which Foldable Should You Buy?
Choose the iPhone Duo if…
You are an iPhone user who wants Apple’s ecosystem on a foldable, a large 7.6-inch screen, and the A20 Pro, and you are willing to pay the highest price and carry the heaviest phone.
Choose the Galaxy Z Fold 8 if…
You want the lightest and thinnest option, a mature foldable with up to 16GB of RAM, and seven years of updates. It also costs $100 less than the iPhone Duo to start.
Choose the Xiaomi Mix Fold 5 if…
You live where Xiaomi sells it and want the biggest battery and the lowest expected price, and you are comfortable buying a phone whose specs are less certain.
What About the Galaxy Z Fold 9?
The Galaxy Z Fold 9 has not launched. Early reports expect it around mid-2027, possibly with a similar 4,800 mAh battery and a newer Snapdragon chip, but none of this is confirmed. If you want Samsung’s next model, waiting makes sense. If you want a foldable now, the Z Fold 8 is the one on sale.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the iPhone Duo Apple’s first foldable?
Yes. Apple unveiled it on September 9, 2026, and it goes on sale October 23, 2026.
Which foldable is the lightest?
The Galaxy Z Fold 8 at 201 g, versus 254 g for the iPhone Duo.
Which has the best battery?
On paper, the Xiaomi Mix Fold 5 with a reported 6,000 mAh battery. Apple rates the iPhone Duo at up to 44 hours on the outer screen, and the Z Fold 8 has 4,800 mAh.
Which is cheapest?
The Xiaomi Mix Fold 5 is expected to be the cheapest in China. In the US, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 starts at $1,899.99, below the iPhone Duo’s $1,999.
Does the Galaxy Z Fold 9 exist yet?
No. It is expected in 2027 and not yet announced.
Final Thoughts
Apple’s entry is powerful and polished but heavy and expensive. Samsung offers the lightest design and a proven foldable platform, and Xiaomi aims to compete on battery and price, if it reaches your market. Compare current prices, trade-in offers, and hands-on impressions before you buy.
Specifications and prices are based on company announcements and published reports at the time of writing, and Xiaomi figures are unconfirmed. Details may change or differ by country. Verify with Apple, Samsung, and Xiaomi before buying.
