Xiaomi’s wide foldable promises more power than Samsung’s

Xiaomi has entered the growing market for broad, book-style foldable phones with a device positioned around a simple competitive claim: it is intended to offer more power than Samsung’s comparable foldable. The company’s latest move places it among manufacturers betting that a wider unfolded screen can make a pocketable handset feel more like a compact tablet without abandoning the familiar phone format.

The announcement, appearing in technology and gadgets coverage connected with IFA 2026, points to a shift in how foldables are being differentiated. Earlier conversations about these devices often centered on whether the hinge would last, how visible the crease looked, or how thin the hardware could become. Xiaomi’s framing instead puts performance at the center, using a power comparison with Samsung to define the new model’s place in the market.

“Wide foldable” describes a design approach rather than a single fixed specification. When opened, such a phone is designed to provide a more expansive horizontal workspace than a conventional handset. That extra room can matter for reading, video, games, document work, split-screen use, and other tasks that benefit from showing more than one item at a time. Xiaomi is the latest company to pursue that premise.

The comparison with Samsung is consequential because Samsung remains a prominent reference point in foldable phones. A promise of greater power gives Xiaomi a clear message for buyers who see foldables not simply as novel screens, but as devices expected to manage demanding applications. It also suggests that the contest among foldable makers is moving beyond the question of who can fold a display and toward the broader experience delivered when the display is open.

That message should still be read as positioning rather than a settled verdict. The information available with the announcement does not establish a like-for-like performance test, spell out the precise basis for the comparison, or show how Xiaomi’s claim will hold up in daily use. Raw capability can be important, but software behavior, battery life, heat management, cameras, durability, price, and regional availability also shape whether a foldable succeeds with consumers.

For Xiaomi, the wider format creates an opportunity to argue that a foldable should earn its premium by doing more than a standard phone. A large internal display can create new expectations for multitasking and media, while a claimed performance advantage can reinforce the idea that the device is built for intensive use. The challenge will be translating that hardware message into an experience that remains practical when the device is folded, carried, and used throughout a day.

The appeal of this category rests on a compromise that has long defined mobile computing. A conventional phone is easy to carry but constrained by its display, while a tablet supplies more room at the cost of portability. A broad foldable attempts to bridge the two, offering a compact exterior and a larger canvas when needed. Xiaomi’s emphasis on power adds a second argument: that the larger screen should be matched by sufficient capability to make intensive use feel worthwhile.

The development also broadens pressure on established players. Samsung’s standing makes it an obvious benchmark, and Xiaomi’s public comparison turns attention toward the trade-offs behind each company’s approach. A model that emphasizes power may appeal to users who prioritize speed and demanding workloads; others may value a lighter build, a more mature software environment, stronger support, or a lower price. A single specification race does not resolve those competing priorities.

What comes next is closer scrutiny of the device’s full specification, its software on the enlarged screen, and the markets in which it will be offered. Those details will determine how meaningful the power claim is and whether the wider design offers a distinct advantage over existing foldables. For now, Xiaomi’s entry is another sign that the broad foldable category is attracting more attention, with manufacturers seeking fresh ways to separate closely related designs.

Source: The Verge