Foldable May Launch Before Xiaomi 18 — First with HyperOS 4

Rumors are stacking fast: a Xiaomi foldable registered under model 2608BPX34C has quietly appeared in network certification logs, and the details are more interesting than you might think.

The filing confirms 5G connectivity and Ultra-Wideband support, two expected but welcome ticks in the spec sheet. The entry doesn’t spell out a product name, though earlier leaks have linked that model number to the next Xiaomi foldable — variously tipped as the Mix Fold 5 or the Xiaomi 17 Fold.

Whispers from well-sourced tipsters say this device will be driven by Xiaomi’s in-house XRING O3 chip. Even more intriguing: one prominent leaker claims this foldable could be the first handset to ship with HyperOS 4.

This foldable could be the very first Xiaomi phone to ship with HyperOS 4.

How could a foldable beat the regular flagship to a new OS? Simple: certifications. The same insider points out that the Xiaomi 18 series hasn’t shown up in certification databases yet, while this foldable now has. That suggests the foldable’s launch timetable may be further along — and that Xiaomi might prioritize the flexible form factor for its next software leap.

Reports about HyperOS 4 hint at deeper AI integration, baked straight into system apps rather than tacked on. There’s talk of support for a miclaw AI agent — an on-device assistant that could shift routine tasks from manual taps to conversational prompts. Imagine suggestions and background tasks that feel native, not gimmicky.

Hardware leaks add color to the picture. Early scoops mention a 200-megapixel main sensor and a wider inner display than last year’s model — changes that would push the foldable into a premium bracket. Expect a price bump: analysts estimate roughly 10,000 yuan (about $1,380), around a 10% hike over the Mix Fold 4’s launch price of 8,999 yuan.

With certification now public, an official announcement may not be far off. If Xiaomi does flip its usual release order and places a foldable at the head of its flagship wave, it won’t just be a product choice — it could be a declaration about where the company thinks the future of smartphones is headed, so keep watching this space.