Technology

8 things we learned from Google’s Pixel 11 event

Published

3 weeks ago

August 15, 2026

8 things we learned from Google’s Pixel 11 event

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Google packed a lot into its annual Made by Google event on August 12. We got four Pixel 11 phones, a new Pixel Watch, Google’s first finder tag and fresh Pixel Buds features. Yet one theme kept coming through. Google wants its devices to anticipate what you need before you have to ask.

I was especially interested in what these upgrades could change in everyday use. A faster processor sounds nice. A phone that surfaces your flight information when someone texts you about a trip feels much more personal.

If you want to see how much has changed in one generation, take a look back at our coverage of the Pixel 10 event and Google’s previous phones, smartwatch and earbuds. Here are the eight things that stood out to me.

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Google’s new Pixel 11 lineup pairs upgraded phones with Pixel Watch 5, Pixel Buds Pro 2 and the company’s expanding ecosystem of connected devices. (Google)

1) Google’s Pixel 11 lineup gets meaningful upgrades

The phone lineup includes the Pixel 11, Pixel 11 Pro, Pixel 11 Pro XL and Pixel 11 Pro Fold. All four use Google’s new Tensor G6 processor and are designed around its latest Gemini Intelligence features.

The standard Pixel 11 gets a camera bar that is 40% thinner than earlier base-model Pixels. It also has a larger 48-megapixel main camera with 56% more light sensitivity than the Pixel 10. Its 5x telephoto camera now supports up to 30x Super Zoom. The Pixel 11 Pro and Pro XL have Google’s brightest Pixel displays yet, reaching up to 3,600 nits. Google also says a new display coating provides more than twice the scratch resistance of the previous Pro generation. Their upgraded telephoto camera can reach up to 120x Pro Zoom. All three traditional Pixel 11 models now start with 256GB of storage. Google also carries Pixelsnap magnetic wireless charging into the Pixel 11 lineup, with Qi2 support and faster wireless charging that can reach up to 25W on compatible models. Pixelsnap lets you snap on compatible chargers, stands, grips and other magnetic accessories.

Then there is the Pixel 11 Pro Fold. Google made it almost 10% lighter and about 1 millimeter thinner than the Pixel 10 Pro Fold. A redesigned hinge, new back material and stronger outer display also make it three times more durable than last year’s Fold, according to Google’s testing. That gives the Pixel 11 family a clearer reason to upgrade beyond AI alone. Google has changed the cameras, durability and charging experience while refining the physical design.

Google is also trying to make switching from an iPhone less painful. Quick Share on Pixel can now send and receive photos and videos with iPhones and MacBooks, while Google says your photos and group chats can move over when you switch.

All four Pixel 11 phones are available for preorder now, including the Google Pixel 11, Google Pixel 11 Pro, Google Pixel 11 Pro XL and Google Pixel 11 Pro Fold. They officially go on sale August 20.

FBI HELPS TAKE DOWN AI PHISHING RING

The Pixel 11 family includes four new phones powered by Tensor G6, alongside Pixel Watch 5 and Pixel Buds Pro 2. (Google)

2) Gemini gets much more proactive on Pixel 11

Google is taking another step toward making Gemini feel less like an app you open and more like something that can help across your phone. Gemini can now handle multistep tasks across more than 40 apps. Pixel 11 can also surface information based on what you are doing. For example, if a friend messages you about an upcoming trip, a card can appear with your booking information and flight status. Pixel can also suggest actions based on your conversation. If you are discussing dinner plans, for example, it may offer a prompt to make a reservation. It can suggest adding an event to Calendar or saving a location to Maps.

Google also introduced Rambler, a Gemini-powered voice input feature. It cleans up natural speech as it transcribes you. That means filler words such as “um” and “ah” do not have to end up in your finished message. That could be one of those small features you quickly start using every day.

Much of this is powered by Google’s new Tensor G6 processor. Google says Tensor G6 can process on-device AI tasks up to 3.5 times faster while using up to 3.5 times less energy than the previous generation under its testing.

Google also introduced Sign To Text, which lets Pixel understand American Sign Language through the camera. Users can sign to write, chat or prompt Gemini from the keyboard. Google says the feature can recognize one-handed and two-handed signing along with facial expressions for grammar and tone. It is available for ASL now, with more sign languages planned.

3) Pixel 11 cameras want you to stop staring at the screen

One of my favorite ideas from the event is Magic Capture. Instead of making you concentrate on hitting the shutter at exactly the right second, Magic Capture can analyze around 400 frames during a typical session. It then delivers carefully timed 12-megapixel photos. The feature can also automatically crop or unblur an image. At the same time, it saves video without making you switch camera modes. That could come in handy with kids, pets or anything else that refuses to pose for you.

The hardware gets an upgrade too. Pixel 11 has a new 48-megapixel main sensor that Google says delivers 56% more light sensitivity than Pixel 10. Its 5x telephoto camera can reach 30x Super Zoom. Meanwhile, Pixel 11 Pro and Pro XL get an upgraded 48-megapixel telephoto camera. Google says its larger sensor provides 30% more light sensitivity. The Pro phones can reach up to 120x Pro Zoom.

Google says the new Instant Night Sight is four times faster, helping Pixel capture low-light photos without requiring you to hold the phone still as long. There is also a new Camera Looks feature. It lets you choose a visual style before taking the photo. You can select a default look or customize additional styles to suit the shot. If the camera is your biggest reason for upgrading a phone, you may also want to compare the new Pixels with our current top Android phones of 2026 at cyberguy.com.

4) HiLight brings back the notification light with a twist

Remember when phones had little notification lights? Google is bringing that idea back in a much more noticeable way. Pixel 11 Pro and Pixel 11 Pro XL introduce HiLight. Colored LED lights around the camera flash can glow while the phone is face down.

For example, HiLight uses different patterns to show when Gemini is listening, thinking or responding. You can also assign colors to important contacts so an incoming call gives you a visual clue about who is calling. Google says message notifications from favorite contacts are among the capabilities planned for HiLight later.

I like the thinking here. Phones are very good at pulling us back onto the screen. A quick visual signal could give you useful information without demanding your full attention. The Pixel 11 Pro Fold gets HiLight as well.

5) Pixel 11 puts more control around AI and security

With Gemini getting access to more context on your phone, privacy was an obvious question at the event. Google says Pixel gives users visibility into what AI is doing and controls over how their data is used. You can also turn AI features on or off.

Google highlighted several security protections built into Pixel 11. The phone can automatically block many spam calls and texts while warning you about messages or calls that may be scams. Google is also promising seven years of automatic security updates. An upgraded security chip is designed to help protect personal information stored on the phone.

Pixel Watch 5 adds faster performance, improved GPS and new health features designed to make the smartwatch more helpful day to day. (Google)

6) Pixel Watch 5 moves deeper into health monitoring

Pixel Watch 5 may be the device I would watch most closely after launch. Google upgraded its GPS and says route tracking can be twice as accurate as previous Pixel Watch generations in difficult environments. The watch also gets 50% more RAM and a faster processor compared with Pixel Watch 4. Then there is Google Health. Pixel Watch 5 introduces Health Guardian features that look for longer-term changes in your wellness. These include monthly summaries involving blood pressure trends, sleep breathing quality and insulin resistance trends. Google says these features are designed for general wellness and are not intended to diagnose or treat medical conditions.

The headline safety feature is Breathing Emergency Detection. It uses the watch’s sensors and on-device AI to look for a severe, persistent drop in oxygen saturation. If the wearer becomes unresponsive, the watch can automatically call emergency services and transmit the person’s location. There is an important catch for U.S. buyers. Breathing Emergency Detection is currently available on Pixel Watch 4 and Pixel Watch 5 in select European countries. It is not currently available in the United States. Google says it plans to expand the feature to more countries.

Pixel Watch 5 is available for preorder now and starts at $399 for the 41mm model and $429 for the 45mm version. The watches go on sale August 20.

Pixel Tag is Google’s first finder tag, using the Find Hub network to help locate keys, bags and other belongings. (Google)

7) Pixel Tag finally gives Google its own item tracker

Google is officially entering the finder-tag business. Pixel Tag is a small tracker for things such as keys, wallets or luggage. It connects to Google’s Find Hub network, which includes more than one billion Android devices. That network can help locate an item when your own phone is no longer nearby. When you are close to the tag, Ultra-Wideband with Bluetooth Channel Sounding can provide distance and directional guidance on compatible devices. You can also make the Pixel Tag play a sound. Interestingly, the button on the tag works in reverse too. Press it and you can ring your phone.

Google says the replaceable battery lasts more than one year. The tag carries an IP67 water and dust resistance rating. You can also share a Pixel Tag with up to 10 people. Security matters with any location tracker. Google says Android phones automatically warn you if an unknown tag appears to be traveling with you.

We have covered Google’s expanding location tools before. You can read more about Find Hub and Google’s Android security protections.

Pixel Tag costs $29 for one or $99 for a four-pack. It is not available for preorder yet. Google says it goes on sale November 11.

WHAT A SCAMMER SEES THE MOMENT THEY GOOGLE YOUR NAME

Pixel Buds Pro 2 gain new software features and are now available in an Olive color that matches Google’s latest Pixel devices. (Google)

8) Pixel Buds Pro 2 get smarter without buying new earbuds

Google did not replace the Pixel Buds Pro 2. Instead, it announced new software features and a new Olive finish. Google says an upgraded Active Noise Cancellation feature can compensate when the fit or seal changes, helping maintain noise cancellation while you are moving.

Another clever feature connects the Buds with Pixel Watch. Later this year, your Buds will automatically pause audio if your Pixel Watch senses that you have fallen asleep. Google also says Live Translate improvements are coming to Pixel Buds Pro 2 and Pixel Buds 2a later this fall. Pixel Buds Pro 2 are also getting the new Olive color to complement this year’s Pixel devices.

The Pixel Buds Pro 2 are available now, with the new Olive color joining the lineup.

Kurt’s key takeaways

Google could have spent its Pixel 11 launch talking mainly about faster processors and brighter displays. Instead, some of the most interesting changes focus on reducing how much attention your devices demand. Magic Capture could make it easier to get the photo without experiencing the entire moment through your screen. HiLight could tell you whether a call matters before you pick up your phone.

I am also watching the Pixel Watch 5 closely. A watch that can automatically call for help during certain breathing emergencies could become an important safety tool. However, U.S. buyers need to know that feature is not available here yet. Pixel Tag feels overdue, especially given the size of Google’s Find Hub network. Still, proactive Gemini may be the biggest shift. Your phone can increasingly use context from your apps and conversations to decide what information might help you next. That could save time, but it also makes understanding your privacy settings more important.

How much should your phone know about what you are doing in order to predict what you need next? Would you welcome that kind of help or rather have Gemini wait until you ask? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com

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Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson is an award-winning tech journalist who has a deep love of technology, gear and gadgets that make life better with his contributions for Fox News & FOX Business beginning mornings on “FOX & Friends.” Got a tech question? Get Kurt’s free CyberGuy Newsletter, share your voice, a story idea or comment at CyberGuy.com.

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Technology

Meta bets on AI agent Muse to catch up in AI race

Published

7 hours ago

September 8, 2026

Press Room

Meta bets on AI agent Muse to catch up in AI race

Meta is making another push to bring artificial intelligence to the masses with Muse, a personal assistant it says can put AI in the hands of virtually anyone. The product is the latest step in a multi-billion-dollar strategy overhaul designed to revitalize the company’s ailing position in the AI race and help it catch up to rivals like OpenAI, Anthropic, and Google.

Muse is a “personal AI agent” designed to help out with everyday tasks and projects, like online shopping, sending emails, and planning a trip. Once given a goal, Meta says Muse can work on its own, opening a browser, filling out forms, and even negotiating on users’ behalf. For lengthy tasks, Meta says Muse will continue working in the background after users close the app, returning to users if something changes or if it requires approval for something, such as making a purchase.

Muse will roll out in the US on iOS, Android, and muse.ai, with AI glasses “coming soon.” The assistant will be free for most users, though Meta said there will be paid subscriptions “for people who want to do more.” The company did not specify the nature and costs of these paid plans, nor outline what limits there are for free users.

“Muse is a first step: an agent that takes on more of the work so people can focus on what matters to them,” Meta said.

1/4

Remember to switch your agent off during screenings.

Image: Meta

While Meta is pitching Muse as “the world’s first personal AI agent built for everyone,” the product is, in fact, very similar to the growing array of AI assistants, teammates, and coworkers on offer from the company’s competitors. Most tools are indeed aimed at businesses or technically-minded individuals — notably OpenAI’s ChatGPT Work, Anthropic’s Claude Cowork, Microsoft’s Copilot Tasks, SpaceXAI’s Grok Bot, and the viral open-source agent Moltbot — though Google does appear to be targeting a similar audience with its recently-announced Gemini Spark assistant.

Ease of use is where Meta hopes Muse will stand out from the crowd. “Anyone can use it out of the box, no technical experience required,” Meta claims, boasting that “there’s no learning curve.” Communication is simple too, as easy as messaging the assistant through the Muse app or WhatsApp, one of Meta’s messaging platforms. It will also readily remember details users share, even if only mentioned once, Meta says, enabling it to make better and unprompted suggestions.

Meta is similarly keen to emphasize Muse’s privacy and security features. Securing trust will be key for making Muse actually useful as an AI assistant, as it will require a certain amount of personal information about each user to function effectively. With this in mind, Meta says people can opt out of their interactions being used to train Meta’s AI models (it’s not known whether this is on or off by default) and can instruct Muse to “forget” specific things it has learned about them.

Given their access to personal information and credentials like passwords and payment information, agents can naturally be a security and privacy nightmare. To keep data, passwords, and other information secure, Muse runs on a virtual computer in the cloud designed to keep data safe and separate from other users’ agents. It has no visibility into passwords or payment methods, Meta says, and another AI agent, Sentinel, patrols the same virtual machine to ensure nothing Muse does can reach the internet without approval.

Meta says it plans to introduce a more secure “confidential” version of the virtual machine later this year, encrypted so that even Meta cannot access it. 1Password and Shop Pay support are also on the way, the company said, adding that Muse can already checkout securely with Stripe’s Link.

Muse, powered by the company’s in-house model Muse Spark, is being positioned as the centerpiece of Meta’s AI strategy going forward as the company seeks to regain ground after years of setbacks and failures.

Given its position as a household name and social media behemoth, Meta is in a good position to reach many of these more casual users. But there is also no shortage of baggage for Meta to overcome. Trust-wise, it has just endured a grueling trial over the harms of social media and has faced numerous bruising privacy-related ordeals in the past, including the Cambridge Analytica scandal. Its AI overtures have also been plagued with missteps, including a “Discover” feature that displayed prompts, conversations, and image outputs from other users, a support chatbot that helped hackers take over more than 20,000 Instagram accounts, and a short-lived AI-generated clickbait news feed that appeared to break its own policies on AI content. There’s also its recent and unfortunate reputation for “pervert glasses.”

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Robert Hart

Technology

How to stream safely while traveling outside the US

Published

7 hours ago

September 8, 2026

Press Room

How to stream safely while traveling outside the US

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Traveling abroad used to mean leaving your normal entertainment routine at home. Now, your streaming subscriptions can come with you. However, hotels, airports and cafés often mean unfamiliar Wi-Fi networks and different streaming catalogs.

If you want to stream safely while traveling outside the U.S., a VPN, or virtual private network, can help. It creates an encrypted connection between your device and the VPN server. That adds useful protection when you are on a network you do not control.

A VPN can also let you choose a server in your home country. That can be useful when you sign in to streaming services you already use. Still, content availability depends on the service, your subscription and local licensing rules. Here’s what to know before you travel so you can protect your connection, stream more smoothly and avoid surprises along the way.

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INSTANTLY UPGRADE YOUR STREAMING: AT HOME AND WHEN TRAVELING

Travelers can use a VPN on hotel, airport and café Wi-Fi while accessing streaming subscriptions they already use at home. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)

Why public Wi-Fi deserves extra caution

Free Wi-Fi makes travel easier. Yet you often do not know who runs the network, how it is configured or who else is connected. Most major websites and apps already use HTTPS encryption. Even so, a VPN adds another encrypted tunnel between your device and the VPN server. That can reduce what the local network can learn about your internet activity.

This protection is useful beyond streaming. You may check email, book a reservation or sign in to an account while you are away. Turning on a VPN before using unfamiliar Wi-Fi adds another layer of privacy. Of course, a VPN does not make every public network risk-free. You should still avoid suspicious Wi-Fi names, keep your devices updated and use strong account security.

Keeping up with your usual streaming services abroad

Streaming can get more complicated when you cross international borders. A service may offer one catalog in the U.S. and another in Europe or Australia. Licensing agreements, regional rights and company policies often determine what appears. A VPN can be useful here because it gives you a secure way to connect to the internet while you sign in to subscriptions you normally use at home. You can also choose a VPN server in the U.S. when you need a U.S.-based connection.

However, a VPN does not guarantee access to a particular show, movie, channel or sporting event. Streaming companies set their own terms of use and regional availability rules. A program you watch at home may therefore be unavailable at your destination. Before you travel, check your streaming provider’s current policies and the availability of anything you especially want to watch.

Watch U.S. TV online in 3 easy steps

If you want a secure U.S. connection while traveling, set everything up before you leave. That way, you are not troubleshooting from an airport lounge or hotel room.

Step 1: Sign up for a VPN

Choose a reputable VPN service and create your account before your trip. Look for one that offers U.S. server locations, apps for the devices you use and enough simultaneous connections for the people traveling with you.

Step 2: Download the latest VPN app

Install the VPN app on every phone, tablet or computer you plan to bring. Then, sign in and test the connection before you leave home. This also gives you time to solve any password, installation or account problems while you still have a reliable connection.

Step 3: Connect to a VPN server in the U.S.

Open your VPN and choose a U.S. server location. Once connected, open your streaming service and sign in normally. Websites and streaming services see the VPN server’s IP address instead of your usual public IP address, while the connection between your device and the VPN server remains encrypted. Your streaming provider still decides what programming your account can access.

TRAVEL MISTAKE PUTS PHONE, LAPTOP AND STREAMING ACCOUNTS AT RISK

A VPN can encrypt your internet connection on public Wi-Fi and help protect your privacy while streaming during international travel. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

What U.S. TV can you watch with a VPN?

Streaming services have their own rules for VPN connections, regional access and travel. Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, YouTube, ESPN and Apple TV+ may handle VPN connections differently, so check your service before you travel.

The exact shows, movies, channels and sporting events you can watch also depend on your subscription and the streaming provider’s regional rules.

That is especially important for live TV and sports. Broadcast rights can change by country, league and even individual event. If there is something specific you want to watch during your trip, check the service before you leave.

Streaming U.S. sports while you travel

A VPN can also protect your connection while you watch live sports through subscriptions you already have. That can be useful for football, basketball, baseball, hockey, tennis, cycling, golf and other events when you are away from home.

However, a VPN does not create a subscription or eliminate a provider’s blackout rules. Your streaming service still controls access based on your plan, location and its current broadcasting agreements. For that reason, check the event and service before relying on it for a big game.

Set everything up before you leave

The best time to prepare is before you are standing in an airport with spotty Wi-Fi. Download the VPN app on your phone, tablet or laptop. Sign in and test it. Also, update your streaming apps before departure.

Next, sign in to the services you expect to use. Some platforms may ask you to verify your identity when they detect a new device or location. Handling that at home can save time later. If your service supports offline viewing, download a few shows or movies before you go. Offline downloads are especially useful on planes, trains and trips where the connection may be unreliable.

Choosing a VPN server for streaming

When you use a VPN, your traffic travels through the VPN server before reaching the internet. Distance can affect performance. If you mainly want extra privacy and do not need a particular country, choose a nearby server. A shorter distance can often improve speed and latency.

If you need a U.S. IP address for a service you normally use at home, connect to a U.S. server instead. If the stream slows down, try another server in the same country. A different location may have less congestion or better performance.

What to do if your stream is buffering

Not every streaming problem comes from the VPN. Hotel and airport networks can slow down when many people share the same connection. First, check the underlying Wi-Fi. Then, reconnect to the VPN or try another server.

Closing apps that are downloading files, backing up photos or running large updates can also help. If the connection still struggles, lower the video quality. HD and 4K video require much more bandwidth than standard-definition video. A trusted mobile connection may also perform better than crowded public Wi-Fi, depending on your roaming plan and signal strength.

THE TRICK TO SMOOTHER STREAMING AT HOME AND ON THE ROAD

VPNs can improve privacy while traveling, but streaming services still control regional access, blackouts and available programming. (iStock)

Streaming on Apple TV, Fire TV and Roku

Traveling with a streaming device can make a hotel room feel more like home. However, VPN setup varies depending on the device.

Apple TV: Some VPN providers offer dedicated Apple TV apps that you can install directly on supported models.

Amazon Fire TV and Fire Stick: Many major VPN services offer apps for compatible Fire TV devices.

Roku: Roku does not support traditional VPN apps directly. Instead, you generally need to connect it through a VPN-enabled router or another supported network setup.

Before packing a streaming stick, check whether your hotel television gives you access to an HDMI port. Also, remember that some hotel networks use a browser-based login page. That can make connecting a streaming device more complicated.

Why streaming catalogs change when you travel?

A streaming service may license a movie in the U.S. but not in France, Australia or another country. Another broadcaster or streaming company may hold the rights there. As a result, the same account can show a different catalog after you cross a border.

Live sports can be even more complicated because broadcasting rights often vary by market. That is why it helps to check availability before a trip. A VPN can protect your connection and change the location of the VPN server you connect through. However, it cannot change the licensing agreements behind a streaming service.

Which VPN should you choose for travel?

With so many VPN services available, I would focus on a few practical things. Look for strong encryption, an easy-to-use app, plenty of server locations and support for the devices you plan to bring. If you expect to stream while traveling, also check whether the VPN works well with the streaming services you use and offers servers in the countries you may need.

A VPN encrypts the traffic between your device and the VPN provider’s servers, which can add an important layer of privacy when you are using hotel, airport or café Wi-Fi. Before choosing one, check that it supports your phone, computer, tablet and any streaming devices you plan to use. You should also compare how many devices can connect at the same time, especially if you are traveling with family.

I would also look closely at the provider’s privacy practices, reputation and independent security audits. Free VPNs can come with limitations such as slower speeds, fewer server choices or questionable data practices, so read the privacy policy before installing one.

Remember that a VPN is a privacy and security tool. You remain responsible for following the terms of your streaming provider and any applicable laws.

For the best VPN software, see my expert review of the best VPNs for browsing the web privately on your Windows, Mac, Android & iOS devices at Cyberguy.com/VPN.

Kurt’s key takeaways

Streaming abroad is much easier than it used to be. Still, I would not wait until you land to figure out your setup. Install your VPN and update your streaming apps before leaving home. Sign in ahead of time, too. Then download something for offline viewing so you have a backup when hotel Wi-Fi becomes unreliable. I also like using a VPN on unfamiliar networks because streaming is only part of what we do online while traveling. You may use the same connection for email, travel reservations and other accounts. Finally, remember what a VPN can and cannot do. It can encrypt your connection and let you select the location of the VPN server you use. It cannot promise that every show, channel or game will be available everywhere you travel.

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What is the biggest streaming headache you have run into while traveling outside the U.S.? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com.

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Technology

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

Published

17 hours ago

September 8, 2026

Press Room

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

Xiaomi is the latest manufacturer to release a short, wide foldable phone, in the week Apple is expected to do the same. I got to try the 18 Fold behind closed doors at IFA last week, and while it looks and feels similar enough to Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 8, superior specs make it feel like the phone I wish Samsung had made.

The 18 Fold is Xiaomi’s first book-style foldable since 2024’s Mix Fold 4, but the company has followed Huawei and Samsung in moving to a short, squat design. Xiaomi’s phone goes further though: It’s both shorter and wider than Samsung’s, with a roughly 1.4:1 aspect ratio on both the 7.58-inch inner and 5.38-inch outer screens — almost an exact match for both international paper sizes and IMAX screens, meaning this may be the one phone capable of playing The Odyssey without letterboxing.

The 5.38-inch has generously rounded corners.

Both screens have almost the same aspect ratio.

It makes the Z Fold 8 look positively tall and slender.

In practice, this still feels similar to the Z Fold 8 though. It’s compact and pocketable when closed and the cover screen is comfortable to use single-handed — though I expect it too will have issues with some apps running awkwardly on the short screen. When open, this is a natural form factor for watching movies or reading ebooks, if perhaps slightly less well suited to multitasking work, though Xiaomi still includes both split-screen apps and floating windows with multitasking in mind.

Where Samsung may have the edge is build quality. The 18 Fold looks great, available in black, white, or this striking red, plus a pink ceramic special edition that the company is only making 1,500 of. But it’s slightly heavier and thicker than the Z Fold 8, and Xiaomi hasn’t announced any IP rating for it at all. There’s also the crease, which to my eye feels more obvious than on this year’s Samsung foldables. Oppo remains the only company to have all-but eliminated the foldable crease, in its Find N6 foldable, and I’ll be fascinated to see how close Apple gets to matching that this week.

I do love this deep red finish.

The triple camera is welcome, even if its specs still lag behind Xiaomi’s slab flagships.

This is a little thicker than the Z Fold 8, but still fairly slender.

Xiaomi hasn’t shown off any foldable software flourishes you won’t find elsewhere.

While my brief time with the 18 Fold was focused on getting to grips with the form factor, the phone arguably stands out more for its specs. For one, this is the first Xiaomi phone powered by its own Xring O3 chipset, which promises Snapdragon 8 Elite-level performance. It includes the debut of Arm’s Mali G2-Ultra NX GPU, which brings with it mobile-first support for Arm’s DLSS-style graphics acceleration on Android.

It’s not just the chip though. The 6,000mAh silicon-carbon battery is substantially larger than the Samsung phone’s 4,800mAh, with support for 67W wired charging and 50W wireless. The two OLED displays deliver up to 4,000 nits of peak brightness. Most importantly there’s a triple rear camera bolstered by Xiaomi’s long-running Leica partnership, with a 200-megapixel main camera using a 1/1.56-inch-type sensor, a 50-megapixel 3.5x periscope telephoto, and a 50-megapixel ultrawide.

I really loved the Galaxy Z Fold 8 when I reviewed it, surprising myself with how quickly I adapted to the new design. My biggest hesitation was that it lacked the triple camera I’d expect from any phone approaching $2,000 in price. By fixing that, while improving on the battery and displays, Xiaomi has made what could become my pick of the foldables on the market right now — though the lack of IP rating does give me pause.

We don’t yet know if the 18 Fold will ever launch outside China.

Of course, that foldable market is about to change dramatically if Apple announces the foldable iPhone we’re all expecting it to tomorrow. In the meantime, Xiaomi has laid down the gauntlet — at least in China. The 18 Fold is available to preorder there from ¥10,999 (about $1,600), with official sales on September 10th, but Xiaomi hasn’t yet confirmed whether or not the phone will ever see an international launch.

Photography by Dominic Preston / The Verge

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