The summer season is known for being the time when new foldable phones are released, and this year is no exception. Following the recent launches of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5, the Honor Magic V2, and other models from Samsung and Motorola, it is now Xiaomi’s turn to unveil its annual refresh. The new device, called the Mix Fold 3, brings several improvements compared to its predecessor.
One of the notable enhancements is the reduction in thickness when folded, measuring at 5.26mm. When unfolded, the thickness is 10.86mm, making it slimmer than the previous generation. In terms of weight, the Mix Fold 3 weighs only 255 grams, making it lightweight and convenient to carry around.
The Mix Fold 3 also introduces a 5x periscopic zoom camera, addressing one of the pain points of the previous model. Additionally, it features a selfie camera, which was missing in the last-gen device. These camera upgrades, along with the new Leica-enhanced rear cameras, provide users with improved photography capabilities.
In terms of charging, the Mix Fold 3 offers both 50W wireless charging and the original 67W wired charging option. The 4,800mAh battery takes approximately 55 minutes to fully charge with wireless charging or 40 minutes with wired charging. Honor, on the other hand, sacrificed wireless charging on the Magic V2 to maintain its slim design.
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To complement the charging capabilities, the Mix Fold 3 is powered by Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 “Leading Version” processor. With clock speeds of up to 3.36GHz, this processor is ideal for tasks such as video editing on the device’s larger screen.
The Mix Fold 3 features two screens with Samsung’s E6 OLED display technology. The external screen measures 6.56 inches and has a resolution of 2,520 x 1,080 and a refresh rate of 120Hz. The flexible screen is 8.025 inches with a resolution of 2,160 x 1,916 and a refresh rate of 120Hz. Both screens offer improved efficiency and outdoor visibility, with the external panel reaching up to 2,600 nits of peak brightness.
Xiaomi has also improved the hinge on the Mix Fold 3, revealing that it can withstand 500,000 folds, certified by TÜV Rheinland. The device’s hinge now supports hover mode from 45 degrees to 135 degrees, allowing users to prop up the rear cameras for unique angles or timelapse shots.
Pre-orders for the Mix Fold 3 are now available, with prices ranging from 8,999 yuan (approximately $1,240) for the 12GB RAM and 256GB storage variant to 10,999 yuan (approximately $1,515) for the 16GB RAM and 1TB storage variant. The device comes in a 5-layer composite material body in black or a glass finish in black or gold. Each version includes a kickstand back cover and a bonus protection frame for the upper part of the foldable.
However, it is worth noting that the Mix Fold 3 will be limited to the Chinese market, according to Engadget. This decision may relieve competitors such as Samsung and potentially Honor in the rest of the world.
In conclusion, Xiaomi’s Mix Fold 3 brings several improvements to the table, including a slimmer design, enhanced camera capabilities, faster charging options, and a powerful processor. While it may be limited to the Chinese market, it is undoubtedly a strong competitor in the foldable phone arena.
