Xiaomi’s Bold New Clamshell
Xiaomi has expanded its foldable phone lineup with the introduction of the Mix Flip, marking its entry into the clamshell foldable segment. Alongside the Mix Flip, Xiaomi has also unveiled the Mix Fold 4. Both devices boast impressive specifications and innovations, but today, we'll focus on the Xiaomi Mix Flip, which is poised to make a significant impact in the foldable market. Priced at around €1,300, the Mix Flip offers a blend of cutting-edge technology and premium features.
Design and Build: A Clamshell Revolution
The Xiaomi Mix Flip is Xiaomi’s first foray into the clamshell foldable design. It features a sleek, modern design with a mix of glass and aluminum, providing a premium feel. The device measures 167.5 x 74.0 x 7.6 mm and weighs 190 grams. The front of the device is made of plastic when unfolded and glass when folded, while the back is glass, and the frame is aluminum with a stainless steel hinge.
One of the standout design elements is the hinge, which feels solid and offers smooth linear adjustments, allowing the phone to stay open at various angles with a satisfying "snap" at 180 degrees. The hinge design ensures that there is no gap between the two halves of the phone when closed, a feature that enhances the overall user experience.
Display: A Dual Display Marvel
The Xiaomi Mix Flip features a 6.86-inch LTPO AMOLED main display with a resolution of 1224 x 2912 pixels, a 21.41:9 aspect ratio, and a peak brightness of 3000 nits. The display supports Dolby Vision and HDR10+, with a 120Hz refresh rate for smooth scrolling and vibrant visuals.
The cover display, measuring 4 inches with a resolution of 1392 x 1208 pixels, also supports Dolby Vision and HDR10+, and offers a peak brightness of 3000 nits. This display is particularly noteworthy for its usability, allowing users to navigate apps, read messages, and use Google Maps comfortably. Xiaomi’s clever design includes a 16:9 area for apps to run, mitigating any compatibility issues.
Battery and Charging: Power Packed
The Mix Flip is equipped with a 4,780mAh battery, one of the largest in the clamshell foldable segment. It supports 67W wired fast charging, significantly surpassing the 25W offered by Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip series and the 45W of the Moto Razr 50 Ultra. While it lacks wireless charging support, the fast wired charging ensures that users can quickly power up their device. Despite its impressive battery life, it falls slightly short compared to the Moto Razr 50 Ultra in terms of overall battery longevity.
Camera System: Capturing Every Moment
The Xiaomi Mix Flip comes with a dual-camera setup, featuring a 50MP main sensor with OIS and a 50MP telephoto lens with a 47mm focal length and 2x optical zoom. This configuration allows for high-quality photography and versatility in capturing various types of shots. However, it does not include an ultra-wide lens, a decision that might divide opinions among users who value the broader perspective.
The front-facing camera boasts a 32MP sensor, ensuring sharp and clear selfies. The camera system supports advanced video recording capabilities, including 8K video at 24fps and 4K video at 24/30/60fps. The Mix Flip’s camera performance is expected to be competitive, although we are awaiting a full review to provide a comprehensive analysis.
Performance and Software: Powered by Snapdragon 8 Gen 3
Under the hood, the Mix Flip is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, offering exceptional performance. The device runs on Android 14 with Xiaomi’s HyperOS, providing a smooth and responsive user experience. The Mix Flip is available in three memory configurations: 12GB/256GB, 12GB/512GB, and 16GB/1TB, accommodating various storage needs.
Connectivity and Additional Features: Future-Proof
The Mix Flip supports 5G connectivity, ensuring fast and reliable network performance. It also includes Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, and NFC. The phone features stereo speakers and a side-mounted fingerprint reader for added convenience.
Pricing and Availability: What to Expect
The Xiaomi Mix Flip is expected to be priced around €1,300, with different memory variants potentially affecting the final cost. Although international availability has not been confirmed, the Mix Flip’s competitive pricing and features suggest it could become a strong contender in the global foldable market.
Final Thoughts
The Xiaomi Mix Flip represents a significant advancement in the clamshell foldable category. With its impressive display, powerful battery, and cutting-edge performance, it offers a compelling alternative to existing foldable options. While it lacks wireless charging and an ultra-wide lens, its overall package is likely to attract users looking for a high-quality foldable device. As we await more detailed reviews, the Mix Flip's innovative features and premium build position it as a noteworthy addition to Xiaomi’s foldable lineup.