Apple iPhone Fold vs Xiaomi Mix Fold 3: A Foldable Face-Off

The foldable phone market is heating up, with Apple finally entering the fray with the iPhone Fold. This puts it directly against established players like Xiaomi, whose Mix Fold 3 represents a third generation of refinement. We’re dissecting these two titans to determine which foldable delivers the best experience, focusing on the core elements of performance, display quality, camera capabilities, and battery life.

Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing raw performance and seamless software integration, the Apple iPhone Fold likely holds the edge thanks to the A19 Pro chipset. However, the Xiaomi Mix Fold 3 counters with significantly faster charging and a proven endurance rating, making it a compelling choice for power users.

PHONES
Phone Names	Apple iPhone Fold	Xiaomi Mix Fold 3

Network
2G bands	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bands	HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100	HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands	LTE	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 26, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42
5G bands	SA/NSA/Sub6	1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA
Speed	HSPA, LTE, 5G, EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 Mbps	HSPA, LTE, 5G
Technology	GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G	GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G

Launch
Announced	Exp. announcement 2026	2023, August 14
Status	Rumored	Available. Released 2023, August 14

Body
Build	Amorphous alloy frame	Glass front (folded), plastic front (unfolded), glass back or aramid fiber back, aluminum frame
Dimensions	-	Unfolded: 161.2 x 143.3 x 5.3 mm Folded: 161.2 x 73.5 x 10.9 mm
SIM	eSIM	Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight	-	255 g or 259 g (8.99 oz)

Display
Resolution	1920 x 2713 pixels (~428 ppi density)	1916 x 2160 pixels (~360 ppi density)
Size	7.76 inches, 183.2 cm2	8.03 inches, 206.5 cm2 (~89.4% screen-to-body ratio)
Type	Foldable LTPO OLED, 120Hz, HDR10+	Foldable LTPO OLED+, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, 1300 nits (peak)

Platform
CPU	-	Octa-core (1x3.36 GHz Cortex-X3 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510)
Chipset	Apple A19 Pro (3 nm)	Qualcomm SM8550-AC Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm)
GPU	-	Adreno 740
OS	iOS	Android 13, upgradable to Android 14, HyperOS

Memory
Card slot	No	No
Internal	256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 1TB 12GB RAM	256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM

Main Camera
Features	Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR (photo/panorama)	Color spectrum sensor, LED flash, HDR, panorama, Leica lenses
Quad	-	50 MP, f/1.8, 23mm (wide), 1/1.49", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS 10 MP, f/2.0, 75mm (telephoto), 1/3.94", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS, 3.2x optical zoom 10 MP, f/2.9, 115mm (telephoto), 1/3.94", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS, 5x optical zoom 12 MP, f/2.2, 15mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm
Triple	48 MP, f/1.8, 24mm (wide), 1/1.28", 1.22µm, dual pixel PDAF, sensor-shift OIS 12 MP, f/2.8, 120mm (periscope telephoto), 1/3.06", 1.12µm, dual pixel PDAF, 3D sensor‑shift OIS, 5x optical zoom 48 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide), 1/2.55", 0.7µm, PDAF TOF 3D LiDAR scanner (depth) * camera details are illustrative, no rumored information is available	-
Video	4K@24/25/30/60/100/120fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120/240fps, 10-bit HDR, Dolby Vision HDR (up to 60fps), ProRes, 3D (spatial) video/audio, stereo sound rec.	8K@24fps, 4K@24/30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240/960/1920fps, Dolby Vision HDR

Selfie camera
Features	HDR, Dolby Vision HDR, 3D (spatial) audio, stereo sound rec.	HDR, panorama
Single	4 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/3.0", 2.0µm, under display Cover camera: 12 MP, f/1.9, 23mm (wide), 1/3.6", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS	20 MP, f/2.3, 23mm (wide), 1/4.0", 0.8µm Cover camera: 20 MP, f/2.3, 23mm (wide), 1/4.0", 0.8µm
Video	4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS	1080p@30/60fps

Sound
35mm jack	No	No
Loudspeaker	Yes, with stereo speakers	Yes, with stereo speakers

Comms
Bluetooth	5.3, A2DP, LE	5.3, A2DP, LE
Infrared port	-	Yes
NFC	Yes	Yes
Positioning	GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS, NavIC	GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5)
Radio	No	No
USB	USB Type-C	USB Type-C 3.2, OTG
WLAN	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7, tri-band, hotspot	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7, dual-band (tri-band after future SW update)

Features
Sensors	Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer	Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer

Battery
Charging	Wired	67W wired, PD3.0, QC4, 100% in 40 min 50W wireless, 100% in 55 min
Type	5500-6000 mAh	Li-Po 4800 mAh

Misc
Colors	Black; other colors	Black, Gold
Models	-	2308CPXD0C
Price	About 2500 EUR	About 1150 EUR

Apple iPhone Fold

Likely superior processing power with the A19 Pro.
Tight software integration within the Apple ecosystem.
Potential for best-in-class color accuracy on the display.

Charging details are currently unknown, potentially slower than the Mix Fold 3.
Price is expected to be significantly higher.

Xiaomi Mix Fold 3

Excellent battery endurance (117h rating).
Fast charging: 67W wired and 50W wireless.
More open Android ecosystem.

Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 may be outperformed by the A19 Pro.
Image processing may not appeal to all users.

Display Comparison

The Xiaomi Mix Fold 3 boasts a measured peak brightness of 1277 nits, a substantial figure suggesting excellent outdoor visibility. While Apple doesn’t disclose peak brightness, their displays typically excel in color accuracy. The absence of LTPO specification for either device makes it difficult to assess power efficiency of the panels. The foldable form factor inherently introduces a crease; the quality of hinge design and panel gap will be critical differentiators, but data is unavailable. The aspect ratios of both inner and outer displays will heavily influence usability, a detail currently missing.

Camera Comparison

Both devices are described as having 'Photo / Video' capabilities, which is insufficient for a detailed comparison. Sensor size, aperture, and optical image stabilization (OIS) are critical factors. Without these details, it’s impossible to assess image quality. Apple typically prioritizes computational photography and natural-looking images, while Xiaomi often leans towards more vibrant, saturated colors. The absence of megapixel counts or specific lens details makes a meaningful comparison impossible. We can assume both will offer multi-camera systems, but the quality will depend on the underlying hardware and software processing.

Performance

The core battle here is between Apple’s 3nm A19 Pro and Qualcomm’s 4nm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2. The A19 Pro, built on a smaller node, theoretically offers superior power efficiency and transistor density, translating to higher performance per watt. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, with its Octa-core configuration (1x3.36 GHz Cortex-X3, 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715, 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A710, 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510), is a proven performer, but the A19 Pro is expected to surpass it in both CPU and GPU benchmarks. The impact of RAM speed (likely LPDDR5X on both) will be less significant than the chipset architecture. Thermal management will be crucial; the A19 Pro’s efficiency may allow for sustained performance without aggressive throttling.

Battery Life

The Xiaomi Mix Fold 3’s 117-hour endurance rating is a significant advantage, suggesting excellent battery life under typical usage. This is further bolstered by its impressive charging capabilities: 67W wired (100% in 40 minutes), PD3.0, QC4, and 50W wireless (100% in 55 minutes). The Apple iPhone Fold’s charging is only specified as 'Wired', lacking wattage or time-to-full details. The A19 Pro’s efficiency may partially offset a potentially smaller battery capacity, but the Mix Fold 3’s charging speed and endurance rating are clear wins.

Buying Guide

Buy the Apple iPhone Fold if you need the absolute best processing power for demanding tasks, a tightly integrated ecosystem, and are willing to pay a premium for Apple’s software experience. Buy the Xiaomi Mix Fold 3 if you prioritize battery life, fast charging (both wired and wireless), and a more open Android experience, potentially at a lower price point.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ How will the A19 Pro's 3nm process impact real-world gaming performance on the iPhone Fold compared to the Mix Fold 3?

The 3nm process should allow the A19 Pro to maintain higher clock speeds for longer periods without overheating, resulting in more consistent frame rates and less throttling during extended gaming sessions. While the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 is capable, the A19 Pro is expected to deliver a noticeable performance advantage in graphically demanding titles.

❓ Does the Xiaomi Mix Fold 3's fast charging affect long-term battery health, and how does it compare to Apple's charging approach?

While fast charging can theoretically accelerate battery degradation, Xiaomi employs charging algorithms designed to mitigate this effect. Apple typically prioritizes slower charging speeds to preserve battery health, but the Mix Fold 3's 67W charging, combined with its endurance rating, suggests a well-managed thermal and charging profile. Long-term testing would be needed to definitively assess the impact on battery lifespan.

❓ Given the lack of detailed camera specs, what can we infer about the likely image processing differences between the iPhone Fold and the Mix Fold 3?

Apple generally aims for natural-looking images with accurate colors and dynamic range, relying heavily on computational photography. Xiaomi often produces images with more saturated colors and boosted contrast, appealing to users who prefer a more vibrant aesthetic. Without sensor details, it's difficult to predict low-light performance, but expect distinct processing styles.