We’ve seen foldable bicycles, foldable umbrellas, and even foldable tables make life a bit more convenient, and now, the trend has made its way to tech. Foldable phones are shaping up to be the next big thing, literally, offering a bigger screen without the bulk.
If you’re tempted to get one but can’t decide which to pick, we’ve put 3 new passport-style foldables head-to-head to see how they compare in price, features, and more, so you can figure out which one’s worth the splurge.
The current exchange rate is S$1 = ~RMB5.20 as of 16th October 2026.
Introducing the contenders: Apple’s iPhone Duo, the tech giant’s 1st attempt at a foldable; Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold8, from the brand that popularised modern foldable smartphones; and the Xiaomi 18 Fold, the underdog brand looking to give the big players a run for their money.
The 1st thing most of us look at when buying a phone is its price tag. Foldable phones don’t come cheap, so it’s worth comparing how much each device costs and how easy it is to get your hands on one in Singapore.
Image credit: Xiaomi via Facebook
The Xiaomi 18 Fold was officially unveiled in China on 7th September 2026, but there are currently no plans for a global release, which means Singapore buyers can’t purchase one locally directly from Xiaomi for now. If you’re still keen to get one, you can try your luck on online marketplaces like Lazada, but be mindful of seller reliability, or pick one up directly from a Xiaomi store if you happen to be travelling to China.
In China, the Xiaomi 18 Fold starts at RMB10,999 (~S$2,108.44), with it going up to RMB14,999 (~S$2,875.21) for the highest-end model. The pricing is competitive for a premium foldable, but without official local availability, you’re on your own when it comes to warranty coverage and repairs, which is a headache you simply wouldn’t have with the other 2 on this list.
Image credit: Apple
Apple’s iPhone Duo is the newest of the 3 phones, with pre-orders starting at 8pm on 16th October 2026. The phone itself will hit shelves in Singapore on 23rd October 2026, where it’ll be available for online delivery and in-person pick-up.
As Apple’s 1st foldable, the iPhone Duo is also one of its priciest devices to date. It starts at S$3,099 for the base model and goes all the way up to S$4,899 for the highest configuration. That’s S$1,000 more than the iPhone 18 Pro Max’s top price.
To soften the blow, you can make payment in instalments over 24 months at 0% interest, rather than forking out the full amount upfront. Alternatively, you can also trade in an eligible iPhone for credits towards the new device, helping to shave a little off the hefty price.
Image credit: Samsung
Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold8 is the newest addition to the Galaxy Z series, alongside the Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra and the clamshell-style Galaxy Z Flip8, which has been in stores since 14th August 2026. This makes it the most readily available option of the 3 if you want a foldable in your hands right now.
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 starts from S$2,498, with it going up to S$3,398 for higher-end models, placing it in between the iPhone Duo and Xiaomi 18 Fold in terms of affordability.
Image credit: @technobry via Reddit
Similar to the iPhone Duo, Samsung lets you make payments through instalment plans ranging from 3 to 36 months, with most participating banks offering 0% interest as well. You can even save up to S$1,170 on the new foldable if you decide to trade in your current Samsung device.
TL;DR: If you’re already eyeing a foldable, the Galaxy Z Fold8 is your best bet, with local availability and flexible payment plans. The iPhone Duo is also easy to get in Singapore, but comes with a higher price tag. The Xiaomi 18 Fold’s lower price might look attractive, but getting your hands on one might take extra effort.
Image credit: Samsung
Another big factor when it comes to buying a phone is how it looks and feels in your hands. While these foldables may be compact enough to fit in your pockets, their screen displays, designs, and durability may differ.
Here’s a quick rundown on the physical design structures and displays of the 3 phones:
| Feature | iPhone Duo | Galaxy Z Fold8 | Xiaomi 18 Fold |
| Outer/inner display | 5.4/7.6 inches | 5.5/7.6 inches | 5.38/7.58 inches |
| Thickness (folded/unfolded) | 11.3/5.3mm | 9.7/4.5mm | 10.68/5.02mm |
| Weight | 254g | 201g | 219g |
| Available colours |
|
|
|
| IP rating | IP68 | IP48 | IP58 and IP59 |
| Maximum brightness | 3,000 nits | 3,000 nits | 4,000 nits |
| Flex Mode | Yes | No | Yes |
While the Galaxy Z Fold8 claims to be the world’s lightest foldable, we have it here at 3rd due to its weaker durability and less versatile hinge. It’s rated IP48, so while being water-resistant, the foldable phone offers less protection from dust compared to the other 2.
But don’t count the Galaxy Z Fold8 out just yet; coming in 3rd doesn’t mean it’s poorly built. Its display is strengthened by a shock-absorbent layer, along with layers of Flex Titanium to reduce creasing. Its Armour FlexHinge is specially designed to support the phone as it folds and unfolds, while its reinforced aluminium frame protects it from knocks and drops.
The iPhone Duo stands out for its design and display, with an ultra-fine matte finish that helps to minimise creasing when the phone is unfolded. The inner display also features a nano-texture surface to reduce glare under harsh lights, so it’s easy on the eyes even when you’re outdoors.
Image credit: iStudio Singapore
It may be the heaviest of the 3, but the iPhone Duo makes up for it with its durable build. Its titanium frame and hinge cover, along with the Ceramic Shield on the front and back, help protect it from drops. There’s even fingerprint-resistant and scratch-resistant coatings on the inner display that’ll help keep the screen in good condition.
The Xiaomi 18 Fold strikes a good balance between durability and portability. It has a physical design that’s almost identical to the iPhone Duo, down to the D-shaped display, with a lighter and slimmer build that makes it more comfortable to carry around.
Image credit: Xiaomi
Its inner display is protected with a dual layer of ultra-thin glass and a stretchable organic film to help absorb impact. The frame is made of high-strength aluminium, and its hinge wraps around the folding screens for added protection. The Xiaomi 18 Fold also comes with a pre-applied screen protector, which is simply 1 less thing to worry about.
TL;DR: If portability is your priority, the Xiaomi 18 Fold offers a good balance between a slim build and durability. The iPhone Duo has a sturdier build, though it’s on the heavier side. The Galaxy Z Fold8 is the lightest and thinnest, but falls short in dust protection and hinge flexibility.
A foldable phone needs to do more than just look good. It should run smoothly, hold its charge for daily use, and actually make use of its larger screen. From multitasking tools to AI-powered features, here’s how the iPhone Duo, Galaxy Z Fold8, and Xiaomi 18 Fold stack up.
| Feature | iPhone Duo | Galaxy Z Fold8 | Xiaomi 18 Fold |
| Processor | Apple A20 Pro | Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy | Xiaomi XRing O3 |
| Operating system | iOS 27 | Android 17 with One UI 9 | HyperOS 4 (China ROM) |
| RAM + storage configurations |
(RAM not officially disclosed) |
|
|
| Battery capacity | Not officially disclosed (Up to 24 hours for everyday use) | 4,800mAh | 6,000mAh |
| Wired charging | 50% in 20 minutes (using 60W adapter) | Up to 45W | Up to 67W |
| Wireless charging | Up to 25W | Up to 20W | Up to 50W |
| Multitasking | Up to 2 apps in a split-screen | Up to 3 apps in a split-screen, plus 5 floating windows | Up to 6 apps in a window, plus 2 floating windows |
| Standout features |
|
|
|
Image credit: Apple
Since the iPhone Duo hasn’t launched yet, we can’t speak to real-world performance or battery life just yet. On paper, though, it looks promising. The foldable is powered by the A20 Pro chip, the same processor as the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, which Apple promises to have 20% better processing and 40% better graphics performance than the previous generation.
Running on iOS 27, it gets a refreshed interface designed for the foldable display, an updated Siri, and new photo-editing capabilities. It supports the USB-C Apple Pencil for jotting down notes, and integrates the Apple ecosystem, making it the natural choice for those who are already Apple users. But until it’s officially out, it’s hard to say how it’ll hold up against the other 2.
If you’re constantly on multiple apps at once while on your phone, the Xiaomi 18 Fold is practically made for you. You can open up to 6 apps in a single window, or 8 if you count floating windows, and it’s easy to navigate with just the tap of your finger. Its 6,000mAh silicon-carbon battery is also the largest of the 3, being able to last you a full day.
But as mentioned, because the phone isn’t readily available in Singapore, you’ll have to put in extra effort to install English and Google support, given its China-based operating system. App optimisation is also the weakest of the 3, with many apps failing to make full use of the larger screen.
Image credit: @tukietran via Instagram
The Galaxy Z Fold8 handles everyday tasks and demanding games smoothly, as you’d expect from a flagship, but according to reviewers, it can get warm after extended use. Beyond its performance, it also comes with new Galaxy AI features that make everyday tasks more convenient.
Now Nudges suggests relevant actions based on your messages, such as opening up your calendar when you’re asked for your schedule. My FanCam helps you turn wide-angle videos into subject-centred tracking shots, while Photo Assist lets you edit photos using simple prompts.
My FanCam tracking a person.
Image credit: @samsungviet via Instagram
If you want an even larger screen, you can make use of Samsung DeX and plug the Galaxy Z Fold8 into a monitor or smart TV for a desktop layout. For those thinking long-term, the Galaxy Z Fold8 is covered with 7 years of Android and security updates, so longevity isn’t a concern.
TL;DR: For an all-rounder pick, the Galaxy Z Fold8 is our recommendation, with useful AI tools and long-term software support. The Xiaomi 18 Fold is best suited for those who like multitasking and want a larger battery, but getting it set up in Singapore may take extra effort. As for the iPhone Duo, you might want to wait for its release before deciding if it’s worth it.
Image credit: Samsung
Some of us take our phone cameras very seriously; it’s to the point that we’d upgrade our phone just for better image quality. So between these 3 foldables, let’s see which has the best camera for you to flex to your friends.
The Galaxy Z Fold8 is equipped with 4 total cameras, including dual 50MP rear cameras and 10MP cameras on both displays. Besides supporting 8K videos at 30fps, it has the ProVisual Engine and Nightography, which help to produce sharper images, even in low-light conditions.
Image credit: Samsung
Dual Recording lets you use both its rear and front cameras to create split-screen videos, no editing needed. But without a free-stop hinge, it might be difficult to prop the Galaxy Z Fold8 up for hands-free photos.
The iPhone Duo comes with a 48MP Fusion Main camera and a 48MP Fusion Ultra Wide camera, able to shoot videos up to 4K resolution with 120fps, plus a 12MP Center Stage camera on the cover display. There’s also a dedicated FaceTime camera that will hide itself when not in use, seamlessly blending in with the inner display.
Image credit: Apple
Apple also added a few handy features to its camera system. Smart Take automatically takes group photos once the camera detects that everyone’s ready, while Kid Cue plays colourful animations on the outer display to get the little ones looking at the camera.
Image credit: Apple
Duo Preview lets you frame shots using the outer display when taking photos with the rear cameras, and Duo FaceTime lets you show both yourself and the people around you during video calls, so no more passing the phone around.
The Xiaomi 18 Fold went all out for its cameras. It features a Leica triple-camera system, led by a 200MP main camera, and a 16MP front-facing camera that’s strategically placed in the corner of the display.
Image credit: @izami_gadget via Instagram
While it can also shoot videos at 8K, it has the one thing that both the iPhone Duo and Galaxy Z Fold8 lack: a telephoto camera. This dedicated zoom lens gives you more flexibility when taking photos of subjects further away, with a zoom of up to 3.5x.
TL;DR: If you’re after the most versatile camera, the Xiaomi 18 Fold comes out ahead with its dedicated telephoto lens for zooming in on distant subjects. The iPhone Duo has a few fun tricks for group photos and video calls, while the Galaxy Z Fold8 is a solid pick for everyday photos and videos.
Foldable phones offer more screen space for multitasking, making it a worthwhile investment for those who frequently juggle multiple apps, use their phones for work, or simply want a larger screen without having to carry a 2nd device.
But this extra convenience does come at a premium, as most tech companies tend to price their foldables higher than their flagship phones.
| Brand | Regular flagship | Starting price | Foldable counterpart | Starting price | Difference |
| Apple | iPhone 18 Pro | S$1,899 | iPhone Duo | S$3,099 | S$1,200 |
| Samsung | Galaxy S26 Ultra | S$1,828 | Galaxy Z Fold8 | S$2,498 | S$670 |
| Pixel 10 Pro XL | S$1,459 | Pixel 10 Pro Fold | S$2,399 | S$940 | |
| OPPO | Find X9 Pro | S$1,599 | Find N5 | S$2,499 | S$900 |
| Xiaomi | Xiaomi 17 Ultra | S$1,799 | Xiaomi 18 Fold | ~S$2,108.44 | ~S$309.44 |
Ultimately, whether a foldable is worth its price comes down to how much you’ll be using the larger screen and its exclusive features. If you multitask regularly or just need a bigger screen for productivity, the higher prices might be justified. But if you mainly use your phone to scroll social media, message friends, or take photos, a conventional phone might do the job just fine.
Foldables tend to be less durable than normal phones due to their flexible screens and moving hinges. Unlike a regular phone’s rigid screen, foldable phones have a softer inner display that lets them do the one thing their name promises: fold. But that flexibility comes at a cost, as the screen becomes more prone to scratches and creasing over time.
Image credit: @crazymojo83 via Reddit
The hinge is another potential weak spot, as repeated folding and unfolding can wear it down over time. It also creates additional gaps for dust and tiny debris to enter, potentially damaging the internal components of the phone.
But that doesn’t mean that your foldable won’t last; you can still extend its lifespan if you practice proper care. Avoid pressing down hard on the inner screen, keep your phone away from dust, and follow the manufacturer’s cleaning and handling guidelines.
Regardless of our rankings, the best foldable phone for you depends on what you’re looking for.
If you want an all-rounder foldable that’s easy to get in Singapore, the Galaxy Z Fold8 is the safe choice. Apple fans looking to experience their 1st foldable might prefer the iPhone Duo, while the Xiaomi 18 Fold might be better for those who prioritise multitasking and camera quality.
For more tech reads:
Cover image adapted from: Apple, Xiaomi via Facebook, @tukietran via Instagram
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