Xiaomi's Next Foldable May Launch Before the Xiaomi 18 — and It Could Debut HyperOS 4

Wednesday, 17 June 2026 at 10:10

A new network certification has surfaced under model number 2608BPX34C — the same identifier tied to Xiaomi's next foldable in multiple earlier leaks. The listing confirms 5G and UWB support, and while it doesn't reveal a final name, everything pointing at this device suggests it could be one of Xiaomi's most significant hardware releases in years. More interestingly, a tipster is now claiming it may actually launch before the Xiaomi 18 series — and debut HyperOS 4 in the process.

Summary

The Xiaomi Mix Fold 5 (or Xiaomi 17 Fold) has cleared network certification under model number 2608BPX34C, confirming 5G and UWB support.
It's expected to run Xiaomi's new XRING O3 in-house chip — skipping O2 entirely — which reportedly reaches 4.05GHz and abandons traditional big core clusters.
The foldable is tipped to be the first device running HyperOS 4, with AI embedded directly into system apps including Notes, Gallery, Calendar, and File Manager.
A China-only launch in August 2026 is expected — possibly around Xiaomi Day on August 16 — with pricing starting around 10,000 yuan (~$1,380).
The Xiaomi 18 series has not yet appeared in any certification database, making a launch before this foldable increasingly unlikely.

Why This Foldable Jumps the Queue

The logic here is simple and comes directly from the leak. Xiaomi's 18 series — the standard flagship line — hasn't appeared in any certification records yet. Certifications typically precede launches by weeks, not months. If the foldable is already clearing those hurdles and the Xiaomi 18 hasn't started the process, the math doesn't favor a flagship lineup launch first. Digital Chat Station, a reliable tipster with a solid track record on Xiaomi leaks, made the call on Weibo.

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That alone would be noteworthy. But add HyperOS 4 to the mix and the foldable suddenly becomes a proper flagship event rather than a side release.

XRING O3: The Chip That Skipped a Generation

Xiaomi launched the XRING O1 in the Xiaomi 15S Pro and Pad 7 Ultra. The XRING O2 never happened — Xiaomi quietly shelved it and jumped straight to the O3. That's either a sign of how ambitious the new design is, or how challenging the O2 turned out to be. Possibly both.

"The XRING O3 reportedly hits 4.05GHz and abandons traditional big core cluster architecture entirely — a significant structural departure that suggests Xiaomi's chip team has been doing more than iterating."

The chip is designed to run tightly integrated with HyperOS 4, mimicking the kind of hardware-software cohesion Apple has built between its A-series silicon and iOS. It's also a strategic play — reducing dependence on Qualcomm at a time when supply chain resilience matters more than ever for Chinese OEMs.

HyperOS 4: AI Inside the OS, Not Bolted On

What makes HyperOS 4 different from its predecessors, according to leaks, is where the AI lives. Rather than a standalone assistant or a cloud-dependent layer, Xiaomi is reportedly building AI directly into core system apps — Notes, Gallery, File Manager, Recorder, Browser, Calendar. On a foldable with a wide inner display, that kind of deep integration makes considerably more sense than it would on a standard candybar phone. The larger canvas invites the kind of multitasking that benefits from context-aware AI suggestions.

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Support for the Miclaw AI agent is also confirmed for HyperOS 4. Xiaomi is positioning the foldable as what leaker Smart Pikachu described as "the best AI interaction platform" in the lineup.

What We're Looking At Spec-Wise

Beyond the chip and software, here's what's rumored: a 200MP main camera with Leica tuning, a wider inner display than the Mix Fold 4, a 6,000mAh battery, and a price tag around 10,000 yuan — roughly a 10% premium over the Mix Fold 4's 8,999 yuan launch price. The device carries the internal codename "lhasa" and platform designation Q18, and a previous foldable prototype under codename "nirvana" was cancelled before this one took its place.

August 2026 looks like the target window. If Xiaomi Day on August 16 is the stage, we'll know soon.