Xiaomi is not behind in the folding phone arena. Most recently they have launched the third generation folding phone which is Xiaomi MIX Fold 3. This phone has become the most unique and one of the greatest because of the specifications, design, and Leica camera. This week I had the chance to try it out but sadly Xiaomi has confirmed that the phone will not be sold outside of China due to limited production.
In this article I will share the experience of using it in a short period of time. Is it worth buying an import set that costs almost RM7000 or just wait in the future when the official set is offered by Xiaomi itself.
SPECIFICATIONS
Xiaomi MIX Fold 3
External Screen – 6.56″ AMOLED 1080 x 2520 pixels,
120Hz, Dolby Vision
In – 8.03″ LTPO OLED+ 1916 x 2160 pixels,
120Hz, Dolby Vision
Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor (4nm)
1x 3.36 GHz Cortex-X3 chip
2x 2.8 GHz Cortex-A715
2x 2.8 GHz Cortex-A710
3x 2.0 GHz Cortex-A510
Adreno 740 Graphics Chip
RAM 12/16 Gigabyte LPDDR5X
Internal Storage 256/512/1000 GB UFS 4.0
Primary Camera 50 MP, f/1.77, OIS (Wide Angle)
12 MP, f/2.2 (Ultra Wide Angle)
10 MP, f/2.0 (Telephoto) 3.2x Optical Zoom
10 MP, f/2.92 (Telephoto)
Leica
Front Camera 20 Megapixel f/2.3
4800 mAh battery
67W wired charging
SIM/Telephony Dual SIM Nano /5G
NFC Yes
Infrared None
Waterproof None
Fingerprint Scan System on the side
Sale Price RM5631* (12/256 GB)
RM6257* (16/512 GB)
RM6883* (16/1000 GB)
*= foreign currency points
DESIGN
Previously I said that the Oppo Find N series has the best folding phone design because it is practical and easy to handle. Xiaomi MIX Fold 3 has changed my perception because it is a great folding phone. The design is elongated like the Galaxy Z Fold5 but the outer screen still maintains the ratio of a normal candybar smartphone.
The build of the device is also great with it actually being thinner than the Galaxy Z Flip5. The device is easy to store in a pocket and the hinge feels solid without making any noise like my experience with the first generation Mate X. It feels a bit more compact than Samsung devices. The volume buttons and the power button along with the fingerprint scanner are all placed on the right side. Above and below there are only microphone holes, Dolby branding, USB-C, speaker grill, SIM card slot and infrared sensor.
This kind of design is what Honor and Vivo have done and only Samsung still offers a relatively thin outer screen. At the back, there is a square camera bump with four sensors and Leica branding. It's not that big and thick so I don't find it bothersome. It's just that using the device horizontally will cause the finger to touch the camera lens frequently.
If you were disappointed by the design of the Z Fold5, here's your answer as it might be the most perfect iteration of a true-size foldable screen device to date. This is helped by its MIX Fold 3 counterpart which not only looks premium but feels luxurious when in use.
SCREEN
Since Xiaomi adopted Dolby Vision screens two years ago, this technology is offered on their flagship and mid-range devices. So it is not surprising that MIX Fold 3 comes with Dolby Vision. I dare say it's one of the best screens for a flagship foldable device, it's bright, fast, smooth and has colors that are pleasing to the eye.
The external screen 6.56″ AMOLED 1080 x 2520 pixels, 120Hz, HDR10+, Dolby Vision and 21:9 ratio is quite comfortable to use. Because of this, MIX Fold 3 does not need to open the screen frequently to use.
The internal screen is 8.03″ LTPO OLED+ 1916 x 2160 pixels, 120Hz, HDR10+ and Dolby Vision. Trying to watch YouTube is very satisfying and I'm sure if watching videos on Netflix will also provide more or less the same experience.
The most important thing I feel is that the crease effect on the inner screen is not very noticeable and when scrolling it is not very noticeable by the fingertips. Xiaomi also does not use a soft screen protector or gel that does not give a feeling of worry.
USAGE
Xiaomi MIX Fold 3 like other Xiaomi devices runs MIUI 14 based on Android 13. This time it is MIUI Fold 14 optimized for foldable screen. It's no surprise that once again the Chinese version of MIUI put a smile on my face because it's very smooth, fast and fun to use, much different from the global version of MIUI.
While I was rummaging through the MIX Fold 3 I found that Xiaomi is trying their best to make this device one of the best they have ever produced. All special settings for folding phone features are collected in one place.
Floating windows
The feature uses a floating window, various controls and settings are provided.
After folding
Settings to set the continuity feature of screen activity inside to outside or vice versa.
Wallpapers for foldable devices
Wallpaper with special animation for inner screen.
Keyboards for foldable devices
Xiaomi's own keyboard is smoother and more powerful than Gboard.
App layouts
Users can choose how an application is displayed.
Game layouts
Same as above, only with the first mode.
Hover mode
Xiaomi version of Flex Mode, limited to cameras and applications in China only.
I didn't have a chance to test the first one because of the short test session. In my short usage, the device used 3GB of virtual RAM making the total memory amount 15GB. There was a slight heating issue happening for light tasks and the device started experiencing lag issues all of a sudden.
It is most likely because MIUI Fold 14 still hasn't received the latest update. With a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip and memory that can be added up to 19GB of virtual RAM, on paper the device should not display lag issues.
CAMERA
For the first time in the history of foldable screen phones, a quad camera system is used. The MIX Fold 3 comes with a rear camera that combines a 50MP IMX800 wide-angle lens, f/1.77, OIS, a 12MP f/2.2 ultra-wide-angle lens, a 10MP telephoto lens with 3.2X zoom, f/2.0, OIS and a 10MP f/2.92 periscope telephoto lens OIS. The two selfie cameras are 20MP.
Xiaomi uses the same strategy as Samsung where the foldable phone does not use the flagship camera so that the sales of the Xiaomi 13 Ultra are not affected. The MIX Fold 3 camera specifications are more or less the same as the Xiaomi 13 but with only one additional telephoto sensor.
The most noticeable similarity is the portrait mode which is not very neat but the Leica mode tries to give the best results. The focus is also not very consistent and the zoom is not very satisfactory despite having two telephoto sensors. Others are indeed similar to Xiaomi 13 with bright HDR, preserved details, beautiful and deep colors and have results that are pleasing to the eye.
Leica portrait mode
50MP auto mode
Auto mode, Leica filter
Black and white portrait
Selfie still has the effect of auto beauty
Difference between normal mode and maximum zoom
BATTERY
MIX Fold 3 uses a 4800mAh capacity battery with 67W fast charging support. So far Vivo X Fold2 remains the foldable screen device with the fastest charging of 120W. Xiaomi also includes 50W wireless charging and reverse wireless. During the test session I noticed the battery level dropped from 50% to 30% after two hours of light use. So this gives the impression that the MIX Fold 3 battery does not last very long.
WHAT'S IN THE BOX?
Here's what comes in the box with every Xiaomi MIX Fold 3 purchase in China;
1x Xiaomi MIX Fold 3.
1x Hard plastic protective frame.
1x 67W Charger.
1x USB-A to USB-C Cable.
1x SIM Pin.
1x Set of manual and safety book.
CONCLUSION
Xiaomi MIX Fold 3 is, in my opinion, an almost perfect foldable screen phone due to the combination of practical design and satisfactory camera capabilities. MIX Fold 3 comes with the best screen in terms of brightness, color and the fold effect is not so obvious. Then the speakers are great, the camera doesn't disappoint, the battery is big with fast charging and the MIUI for Fold is smooth.
It's just a pity, after three generations of MIUI for Fold, it still lacks folding phone features. For example, I can't find the taskbar, there is no drag & drop control and the use of multi-tasking is not smooth. However, Xiaomi managed to offer a good continuity feature from inside to outside screen or vice versa. My hope is MIX Fold 4 if sold in Malaysia I want the price to be less than RM6000 and the same software as MIUI on Xiaomi Pad 6.
PRO
The best folding phone design after Oppo.
The first folding phone with a Leica quad-camera.
Beautiful screen, fast and satisfying.
An exciting speaker.
The Fold effect is not so obvious.
CONS
The camera has an inconsistent autofocus problem.
Problem overheating for no reason.
MIUI for Fold is not mature enough for a folding phone.
Not sold in Malaysia.