Design & Build
Largest Outer Display on a Flip Phone
- Advantages: The Xiaomi Mix Flip stands out with the largest outer display on a clamshell foldable at 4.01 inches, narrowly surpassing the Motorola Razr 50 Ultra. This innovation makes it a great choice for users seeking enhanced usability without flipping the phone open.
- Portability: Measuring just 85mm when folded and weighing a mere 192g, it’s lightweight and fits comfortably in pockets, making it highly portable.
Build Quality
- Materials & Colors: Available in two colors—Purple and Black—with a matching shiny chassis. However, the lack of water and dust resistance may concern users in harsher environments.
- Camera Placement: Xiaomi opts for vertically aligned camera bumps, which, while stylish, are quite prominent and may inconvenience users during flat placement.
- Hinge: The hinge is functional but feels less premium compared to competitors like Motorola, with a slightly loose feel and a more noticeable crease.
Ports & Buttons
- Placement: The USB-C port is positioned at the bottom, and the volume rocker and power button (with a built-in fingerprint scanner) are on the right. The scanner is reliable, and face recognition works well for basic tasks but cannot handle payment authentication.
Screen & Speakers
Internal Display
- Specs: Features a 6.86-inch AMOLED panel with an adaptive 120Hz refresh rate, HDR10+ support, and 3000 nits of peak brightness. The display delivers vibrant colors and impressive clarity, even under bright sunlight.
- Eye Comfort: Certified by Rheinland for low blue light and flicker-free viewing, making it gentle on the eyes during prolonged use.
Outer Display
- Design Limitations: The 4.01-inch display is bright and sharp but hampered by a persistent widget bar on the right side, reducing usable space for apps and making navigation less intuitive. Supported apps are limited, with notable exclusions like Netflix and Audible.
Audio
- Sound Quality: Dual stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos deliver decent sound, though not as immersive as phones with more advanced audio systems.
Specs & Performance
Hardware
- Processor: Powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, paired with 12GB of RAM and 512GB of storage.
- Performance: Swift and responsive, with smooth multitasking and gaming capabilities. However, prolonged gaming causes the device to heat up due to insufficient cooling mechanisms.
Benchmarks
- The Mix Flip outperforms key competitors in benchmarks, making it a solid option for demanding tasks like gaming or multitasking.
Cameras
Rear Cameras
- Specs: Dual 50MP Leica cameras (main and telephoto). The absence of an ultrawide lens is compensated by excellent zoom and portrait capabilities.
- Performance: Daytime shots are sharp and vibrant, with detailed textures and accurate colors. Zoomed images remain crisp up to 4x, with notable quality degradation only beyond 20x.
- Low Light: Struggles with clarity in low light and bright sunlight due to flare and softer details.
Front Camera
- Selfies: The 32MP front camera produces softer images compared to the rear cameras, making the outer display a better option for selfies.
Video
- Supports up to 8K at 24fps, with OIS minimizing shakes. Features like teleprompter mode enhance the device’s appeal to content creators.
Battery Life & Charging
Battery
- Capacity: A 4780mAh battery powers the device for approximately 1.5 days of regular use, slightly outlasting competitors like the Galaxy Z Flip 6.
- Test Results: Achieved 13 hours and 58 minutes in PCMark’s battery test, reflecting strong performance.
Charging
- Speed: Supports 67W wired charging, achieving 47% in 30 minutes. Wireless charging is notably absent.
Software & Apps
Operating System
- HyperOS: Runs on Xiaomi’s new HyperOS based on Android 14, which retains some issues from its predecessor MIUI, including excessive bloatware and app duplication.
- Features: The phone includes innovative tools like call answering while closed and flex mode for video apps like YouTube.
Updates
- Longevity: Xiaomi promises four years of software updates and five years of security patches, offering decent support compared to competitors.
Price & Availability
- Price: The Xiaomi Mix Flip is priced at £1,099 (~$1,375) and is available via the Mi Store and Amazon.
- Availability: Not officially sold in the U.S., limiting its reach.
Conclusion
The Xiaomi Mix Flip blends innovation and practicality with its large outer display, lightweight design, and impressive internal performance. While its lack of water resistance and minor software limitations might deter some, its standout display, powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, and versatile cameras make it a competitive option in the foldable market. Ideal for users prioritizing a sleek, feature-packed device with gaming and multitasking capabilities, the Mix Flip is a bold addition to Xiaomi’s portfolio.
