Xiaomi Unveils Mix Fold 3 in China with Impressive Durability and Advanced Features.
In a significant announcement today, Xiaomi has introduced the Mix Fold 3 to the Chinese market. The highlight of this foldable device is its remarkable ability to endure a staggering 500,000 folding cycles, a testament to its exceptional build quality. However, it’s worth noting that global availability seems unlikely, leaving international audiences to admire the Mix Fold 3 from a distance.
Scheduled for sale beginning on August 16th, the Mix Fold 3 offers a captivating proposition to Chinese consumers, but history suggests that Xiaomi’s approach might not extend to international markets. As with its predecessors, the Mi Mix Fold and Mix Fold 2, the possibility of a widespread international release remains uncertain.
Among the Mix Fold 3’s standout features is its impressive folding cycle durability, certified by TÜV Rheinland at an extraordinary 500,000 cycles. This surpasses the 400,000 benchmark set by Honor’s Magic V2 foldable and greatly exceeds the 200,000 cycles promised by Samsung and Google for their 2023 foldable devices.
While folding cycle endurance is a noteworthy aspect, it’s important to recognize that durability encompasses more than just this metric. Notably, Xiaomi’s announcement lacks any mention of an IP rating for water resistance, potentially affecting its resilience against rain exposure. In contrast, both Samsung’s and Google’s recent foldables offer protection against limited water immersion. The Mix Fold 3, however, boasts an ultrathin glass layer on its internal display and features Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on its outer display.
The device’s camera setup also captures attention, featuring four cameras on its rear. These include a 50-megapixel main sensor, a 12-megapixel ultrawide lens with an impressive 120-degree field of view, a 10-megapixel telephoto lens with a 75mm focal length equivalent, and a 10-megapixel periscope camera with five times optical zoom. Branded by Leica, Xiaomi emphasizes that these cameras are tuned to avoid producing “overly sharpened” or “over-processed” photos.
In terms of dimensions and weight, the Mix Fold 3 distinguishes itself among its counterparts. Slightly thicker and heavier than Honor’s Magic V2, it competes closely with Samsung’s latest Galaxy Z Fold 5. When folded, the Mix Fold 3 measures 10.86mm in thickness, slightly thinner than the Fold 5’s 13.4mm. Its weight, at 255 grams, is only marginally higher than the Fold 5’s 253 grams. With an internal display slightly exceeding eight inches diagonally, boasting a resolution of 2160 x 1916 and a maximum 120Hz refresh rate, the Mix Fold 3 offers a compelling visual experience. Additionally, its 6.56-inch 1080p cover display ensures seamless usability.
Under the hood, the Mix Fold 3 packs a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor and a 4,800mAh battery, supporting rapid 67W charging for a complete charge in just 40 minutes. Wireless charging support is also included, with a maximum fast-charging speed of 50W.
The Mix Fold 3 comes with a starting price of ¥8,999 (approximately $1,240) for the 12GB RAM and 256GB storage variant, reaching a pinnacle of ¥10,999 (about $1,515) for the 16GB RAM and 1TB storage model. As this cutting-edge device enters the market, its remarkable durability and robust feature set are set to capture attention, making it an intriguing offering for Chinese consumers and enthusiasts worldwide.