Xiaomi’s foldable phone set for possible March reveal
Try not to flip out
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Xiaomi has teased the return of its Mi Mix lineup of smartphones, the next of which is expected to be the company’s premiere foldable phone, suggesting we could get a first official look at the folding device on March 29.
We already expect to see the release of the Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro and Mi 11 Ultra at a‘mega launch’ eventat the end of the month, afterleaked promotional materialsuggested as much, and now it seems we’ll be getting an official look at the return of the Mi Mix range, too.
The news comes after Xiaomi took toWeiboto share promotional material for an upcoming Mi Mix device, with a tagline reading: “March 29 Xiaomi 2021 new product launch. We have something new to show you.”
While confirmation of the launch date is written in English, Chinese text visible on the same material seems to read: “Xiaomi Mix, after two years, has returned strongly! With endless technical strength, we can live up to the expectations of hundreds of millions of users.” This text has been machine translated, but it’s pretty clear what it means.
Of course, we don’t know for sure that this refers to the rumored Xiaomi Mi Mix 4 Pro Max, a device which would mark the company’sfirst foray into foldable phone technology, but we’re certainly set for the reveal of a new Mix-branded Xiaomi phone – the first since the launch of theMi Mix 3in 2019.
The Mi Mix line was Xiaomi’s range of mid-range devices, and was likely scrapped as the company’s flagship Mi line also consisted of mid-range phones. However, in recent years, Mi devices have now become premium models, so there’s a space in Xiaomi’s line-up for a mid-range Mix up. This could imply the arrival of a new range of regular phones, then, rather than foldables.
Mixing it up
However, while it’s wise to temper expectations when it comes to foldable phone reveals, we’re fairly certain that Xiaomi’s first foldable device, whenever it arrives, will carry the Mix name.
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This comes afterleaked prototype imagesrevealed a visible Mix logo on the rear of a foldable phone, whichfurther imagessuggested will be adopting aninward-folding designsimilar to theGalaxy Z Fold 2andHuawei Mate X2.
These photos also hint at a triple camera setup, aligned horizontally, of the sort we’ve seen on theSamsung Galaxy S21, though it’s likely that these represent placeholders in a very early design.
We’ve seen tweets from industry insiders, too, suggesting that the upcoming foldable will bear the Mix name, including one fromRoss Young, founder of Display Supply Chain Consultants.
We hear the upcoming Xiaomi foldable may be called the Mi Mix 4 Pro Max. China Star is the display supplier, not SDC. SDC will provide an in-folding display later in the year, which will be a little larger.March 1, 2021
It seems likely, then, that the Mix device (or devices) Xiaomi is referencing in this latest promotional material may end up being the Mi Mix 4 Pro Max.
Recent patentshave also hinted at the Chinese company’s plans for a foldable device, so it seems the stars are finally aligning for a Xiaomi foldable reveal on March 29.
ViaGSMArena
Axel is TechRadar’s UK-based Phones Editor, reporting on everything from the latest Apple developments to newest AI breakthroughs as part of the site’s Mobile Computing vertical. Having previously written for publications including Esquire and FourFourTwo, Axel is well-versed in the applications of technology beyond the desktop, and his coverage extends from general reporting and analysis to in-depth interviews and opinion.
Axel studied for a degree in English Literature at the University of Warwick before joining TechRadar in 2020, where he then earned an NCTJ qualification as part of the company’s inaugural digital training scheme.
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