The Xiaomi Mix Flip was released internationally on September 26, 2024, following its earlier debut in China. It is priced at £1,099 or €1,300, which is higher than some competitors like the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 and Motorola Razr 50 Ultra. However, Xiaomi offers 12GB RAM and 512GB storage at this price, making it a better deal compared to Samsung’s clamshell with similar storage.
The phone is available in limited markets and is not sold in the US or Australia, which may disappoint users in those regions. Despite the premium cost, Xiaomi seems to provide strong value with its large storage and solid specifications.
Xiaomi Mix Flip Review: Specifications
Here’s a quick breakdown of the phone’s key specs:
- Dimensions (folded/unfolded): 85.74 x 74.02 x 15.99mm / 167.5 x 74.02 x 7.8mm
- Weight: 192g
- Main Display: 6.86-inch LTPO AMOLED, 120Hz, 2912 x 1224 resolution
- Cover Display: 4.01-inch LTPO AMOLED, 120Hz, 1392 x 1208 resolution
- Processor: Snapdragon 8 Gen 3
- RAM & Storage: 12GB LPDDR5X RAM, 512GB UFS 4.0
- Cameras:
- 50MP primary sensor with OIS
- 50MP telephoto camera with 2x optical zoom
- 32MP front camera
- Battery: 4,780mAh with 67W fast charging
- Colors: Black and purple
- OS: Android 14 with HyperOS
These specs make the Mix Flip a high-performance phone packed with cutting-edge features.
Design
Xiaomi has crafted a unique design for the Mix Flip, avoiding a direct copy of its Mix Fold series. The phone has a premium look with pillowed glass at the back, a polished metal frame, and a glossy cover screen. It’s slightly thicker than its rivals but still feels comfortable to hold and use.
The hinge works smoothly and allows the phone to stay open at angles between 45° and 120°, which is great for hands-free use or taking photos. However, the hinge showed slight wobbling during testing, which might concern some users.
The side-mounted fingerprint sensor works quickly, though the button placement for volume controls feels awkward when the phone is unfolded. One drawback is the lack of official water or dust resistance, which some competitors offer.
Display
The Mix Flip delivers impressive visuals on both its main and cover screens. Both displays have sharp resolutions and a smooth 120Hz refresh rate, providing consistent viewing quality. The cover screen is almost edge-to-edge and wraps around the cameras, similar to Motorola’s Razr.
Brightness levels are excellent, with a peak of 3,000 nits, making the phone usable even in bright sunlight. Xiaomi partnered with TCL to create these displays, ensuring vibrant colors and great contrast.
The always-on display (AOD) feature works on both screens, adding convenience for notifications or using the phone as a clock.
Software
The Mix Flip runs HyperOS 1.0 based on Android 14. Xiaomi promises 4 years of OS updates and 5 years of security updates. While the software brings customization options and a smooth interface, it also includes intrusive ads in native apps, which can be annoying for users.
The cover screen is well-integrated with apps like Instagram, Spotify, and YouTube, but it is more limited than Motorola’s approach, which allows broader app usage. Xiaomi has also added AI features like photo editing and transcription, but they still need refinement for better accuracy.
Camera
The Mix Flip features two 50MP cameras on the back and a 32MP front camera. The main camera captures colorful and detailed photos, and the telephoto lens provides 2x optical zoom. The camera setup offers great quality for a foldable phone, although it lacks the sharpness of top-tier camera phones.
You can use the cover screen as a viewfinder for selfies, which is a handy feature. Video recording supports up to 8K at 24fps, and the foldable design allows for creative shooting angles.
Performance
Powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip and 12GB RAM, the Mix Flip handles multitasking and gaming with ease. Apps open quickly, and the phone performs well in daily use. However, extended gaming sessions may cause the phone to heat up due to its compact design.
The 512GB storage is generous, but there’s no option for expansion. International users only get one variant, which is enough for most people.
Battery
The Mix Flip boasts a large 4,780mAh battery, one of the biggest among foldable clamshells. It easily lasts a full day of regular use. The 67W wired charging is fast, but the lack of wireless charging might disappoint some users.
Final Thoughts
The Xiaomi Mix Flip is a strong contender in the foldable phone market, offering a sharp display, smooth performance, and good cameras. While its design and battery stand out, the lack of water resistance and limited availability are drawbacks. The software experience is decent but could be improved by removing ads and adding more cover screen features.
