Apple and Xiaomi have opened a new chapter in the premium foldable smartphone market, with the tech giants unveiling competing wide-screen devices aimed at redefining how consumers use foldable phones.

Apple introduced the iPhone Duo on September 9, 2026, with a starting price of $1,999, while Xiaomi launched the Xiaomi 18 Fold in China with a starting price of $1,540.

Both devices adopt a short, wide “mid-fold” design that opens into a large display similar in proportions to a sheet of paper.

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However, the companies have taken markedly different approaches to hardware, cameras, battery life and software.

Xiaomi pushes hardware advantage

The Xiaomi 18 Fold comes with a 7.58-inch LTPO AMOLED inner display, supporting up to 120Hz refresh rates and a claimed peak brightness of 4,000 nits.

It is also slightly thinner and considerably lighter than Apple’s offering, weighing 219 grammes compared with the iPhone Duo’s 254 grammes.

Photography is another major strength of the Xiaomi device. It features a 200-megapixel Leica-branded main camera, a 50-megapixel periscope telephoto camera with 3.5x optical zoom and a 50-megapixel ultrawide camera.

The device is powered by Xiaomi’s 3nm XRING O3 processor and packs a 6,000mAh silicon-carbon battery. It supports 67W wired charging and 50W wireless charging, with a charger included in the box.

Apple focuses on software and design

Apple’s iPhone Duo features a slightly larger 7.6-inch inner OLED display with a resolution of 2670 × 1878 pixels and up to 120Hz ProMotion.

One of Apple’s major design decisions is the use of an under-display camera on the inner screen, allowing the large folding display to remain free of a camera cut-out.

The device uses a Grade 5 titanium frame and a complex hinge system containing more than 100 components.

Rather than matching Xiaomi’s camera megapixel count, Apple has focused on computational photography and features that make use of the two-screen design.

These include Duo Preview, which allows subjects to see themselves on the outer display while being photographed, as well as Smart Take, Dual Capture and Duo FaceTime.

Different approaches to multitasking

The biggest distinction between the two devices may be their software.

The iPhone Duo runs iOS 27 and introduces a fold-specific interface with side navigation, a redesigned Dynamic Island and Split View, allowing users to run two apps or two windows side by side.

Xiaomi’s HyperOS 4, based on Android 17, takes a more aggressive multitasking approach. The company says users can run up to six apps in split-screen configurations alongside a floating window.

Xiaomi has also adapted more than 200 applications for the phone’s wide display.

However, the 18 Fold is currently a China-only model and ships with the Chinese version of HyperOS, meaning Google Play, Google Maps and Gmail are not included by default.

Price and availability

Price could become one of Xiaomi’s strongest advantages.

The iPhone Duo starts at $1,999, while the Xiaomi 18 Fold starts at CNY 10,999, making Xiaomi’s entry model substantially cheaper based on the quoted prices.

Apple plans to begin selling the iPhone Duo in more than 70 countries from October 23, 2026, while Xiaomi’s 18 Fold is currently limited to China.

For international buyers, however, the two devices present different challenges. The iPhone Duo uses eSIM only, while the Xiaomi 18 Fold supports two physical nano-SIM cards but lacks eSIM support.

Two different visions for foldables

The comparison highlights two competing philosophies in the premium foldable market.

Xiaomi is putting its weight behind camera hardware, battery capacity, charging speed, display brightness and price, while Apple is relying on iOS, industrial design and software built specifically around the two-screen experience.

For consumers, the choice may ultimately come down to priorities: Xiaomi offers more aggressive hardware specifications for the money, while Apple is betting that a tightly integrated software experience will make its foldable more useful every time it is opened.

The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), in partnership with Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCO) Limited and Geoplex Drillteq Limited, on Thursday in Port Harcourt graduated seven young Nigerian engineers and geologists in Directional Drilling and Evaluation Services (DD/MWD) and Electric Wireline Evaluation Services (EWL).

Biztellers reports that the trainees collectively received 18 international certifications from reputable European organisations for their training.

Under the contractual framework provided by SNEPCO, Directional Drilling and Evaluation exposed the trainees to jar maintenance, bottom-hole assembly components, measurement-while-drilling principles, formation integrity and leak-off test procedures. For Electric Wireline Services, they had hands-on training on wireline logging, cement evaluation, perforation operations, pressure-control equipment, and rig-up and rig-down activities.

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In a keynote address, the Director, Capacity Building Directorate (CBD) of the NCDMB, Engr. Abayomi Bamidele, represented by the Deputy Manager in the unit, Mr. Tareowei Bufazi, noted with satisfaction that the trainees had a detailed curriculum for the two programmes implemented concurrently under the SNEPCO contracts.

He described the classroom sessions of the programmes and the on-the-job training in live projects as rigorous, pointing out that trainees have been adequately prepared for major opportunities globally and Final Investment Decisions (FIDs) that are coming on stream.

He told the graduands that the knowledge, skills and certifications they have acquired should serve as “a foundation for continuous learning and professional growth,” and that they would be remembered for problems they are able to solve, standards they are able to uphold, and value they create.

“The world you are entering is competitive, demanding, and constantly evolving,” he explained, adding, “you have already proven that you can rise above challenges….Be courageous enough to seize opportunities and resilient enough to overcome setbacks.”

The CBD boss commended SNEPCO for their commitment to the successful implementation of the programme and for investing in the development of Nigerian talent. He also thanked Geoplex and Arewa Innovative Solutions for their respective roles.

Earlier in opening remarks, Mr. Kingsley Erhunmwunsee, of SNEPCO Limited, stated that his company treats local content as an investment in Nigeria’s future, and not just as a regulatory obligation. He emphasised that Nigeria’s oil and gas industry needs highly skilled people who can operate safely, solve complex problems, embrace new technologies and deliver world-class performance.

According to him, “Developing that capability within Nigeria strengthens not only individual careers, but also our companies and the Nigerian economy.” He expressed appreciation to the NCDMB for its sustained efforts in local content development and for the support it provided toward the successful implementation of the training programme.

The United States has delivered a fresh consignment of military equipment to the Nigerian Air Force as Washington and Abuja continue to deepen their security partnership in the fight against terrorism and other threats in the region.

The equipment was transported by a United States Air Force C-17 Globemaster III and delivered at locations in Lagos and Kainji, according to the United States Africa Command, AFRICOM.

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AFRICOM announced the delivery on Thursday, describing it as another demonstration of the growing defence cooperation between the United States and Nigeria.

“Partnership in action,” the command said, explaining that the equipment was supplied under a Foreign Military Sales agreement between both countries.

AFRICOM said the delivery would support Nigeria’s efforts to counter terrorism in the region and further strengthen the defence partnership between Washington and Abuja.

Images released through the US Department of Defense’s visual information platform, DVIDS, showed the C-17 aircraft and personnel involved in the offloading of the equipment in Lagos and Kainji.

However, AFRICOM has not disclosed the specific type, quantity or financial value of the military equipment delivered.

The command also emphasised that the support was provided at Nigeria’s invitation and was intended to strengthen Nigerian-led counterterrorism operations while respecting the country’s sovereignty.

US-Nigeria Security Cooperation

The latest delivery comes less than a month after senior Nigerian and US officials met in Washington to review the countries’ security partnership.

National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu led a Nigerian delegation to the second session of the Nigeria-US Joint Working Group on August 13.

The meeting focused on several security issues, including counterterrorism, intelligence sharing, terrorism financing, border security, protection of vulnerable communities, internally displaced persons and military-to-military cooperation.

Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the discussions were also aimed at reviewing the countries’ defence roadmap and determining the next phase of their security collaboration.

The latest military equipment delivery adds another layer to the expanding cooperation, particularly as Nigeria continues to battle terrorism and insurgency in parts of the country.

Expanding Counterterrorism Cooperation

US-Nigeria military cooperation has also expanded through joint counterterrorism efforts.

In May, AFRICOM, working with the Nigerian government, conducted an operation against ISIS targets in northeastern Nigeria. The operation killed Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, whom AFRICOM described as the group’s director of global operations, alongside other senior ISIS figures.

The US command subsequently carried out additional strikes against ISIS targets in northeastern Nigeria in coordination with Abuja.