Imagine a smartphone that folds not just once, but twice. It sounds like something out of a sci-fi movie, right? Well, it’s closer to reality than you might think. With Huawei already leading the charge with its innovative Mate XT, other tech giants are eager to catch up. A new render has surfaced, hinting that Xiaomi might be the next to showcase a tri-folding smartphone. This potential new entrant borrows design elements from Xiaomi’s current foldable flagships and other industry leaders, promising a sleek and modern look.
Renowned leaker Digital Chat Station has revealed that Xiaomi has patented a tri-fold smartphone design. The shared render, purportedly based on the patent’s intellectual property, hints at what we might expect from this futuristic device. Both the Mate XT and Xiaomi’s concept feature a second, double-edged hinge that transforms the front third of the device into a secondary screen when folded. However, Xiaomi’s spin on this design includes a camera bump reminiscent of the early Mix Fold models.
A closer inspection of Xiaomi’s render reveals a back panel with a luxurious leather-like texture, similar to the OnePlus Open in Voyager Black. Interestingly, while the Mate XT also embraces a vegan leather finish, it sports a larger camera bump, similar to the Mate 60 RS. Despite the advancements in tri-fold technology, Xiaomi appears to be focusing on its more established Mix Fold and Flip series for the time being, likely weighing the high production costs—speculated to be around $2,800—of launching a tri-fold device.
As the competition heats up in the foldable phone arena, all eyes are on Xiaomi to see if they will push the boundaries and bring this tri-fold marvel to market. It’s a tantalizing prospect that could further revolutionize how we interact with our smartphones, blending innovation with practicality in ways we’ve only begun to explore.
