Xiaomi is folding the rules of foldable phone photography. The Chinese tech titan today teased its next-generation foldable, the MIX Fold 3, which looks set to shake up mobile photography when it drops in August.
Boasting a “Leica imaging optical new paradigm”, the MIX Fold 3 marks the first time Leica’s acclaimed four-camera optical system will land on a svelte and slender foldable phones. Xiaomi says achieving this required breakthroughs in multiple problem areas, like shrinking OIS motors, crafting ultra-thin high-transmittance lenses, and stacking telephoto modules.
If it delivers, the MIX Fold 3 could bring best-in-class imaging to foldables in a featherlight frame. Xiaomi promises Leica’s full camera arsenal in a thin and light body.
Rumors suggest the MIX Fold 3’s curvy glass body houses a rear quad-camera led by a 3.2x portrait lens and 5x periscope telephoto, plus 67W wired charging and 50W wireless charging. New waterdrop hinges reportedly enhance durability without sacrificing slimness.
An FCC filing in June unveiled a Xiaomi device dubbed the 2308CPXD0C with 67W fast charging, likely the MIX Fold 3. Last August’s MIX Fold 2 packed a Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chip, 6.56-inch external and 8.01-inch internal 120Hz screens, and a Leica 50MP main cam.
With foldable shipments surging over in 2022 – 2023, Xiaomi’s photo-focused MIX Fold 3 could be perfectly positioned to fold in smartphone snappers. Galaxy Z Fold 5 launched at Samsung’s August Unpacked event, the foldable wars are just heating up.
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