Xiaomi Previews Improved Foldable Smartphone

Evan Blass shared a short video earlier this year that was allegedly showing the newest technology of a Xiaomi’s foldable phone. Blass was not able to guarantee that the video was the real deal, but soon after Xiaomi’s President and co-founder Lin Bin confirmed it.

Posted on Weibo Lin Bin is seen using a tablet-like device. However, it was not shaped like a conventional tablet. In the video, the sides of the device can be folded in, in which the device then transforms into a smartphone. Unlike Samsung, Xiaomi has a larger display both in tablet mode and as a smartphone with more folding options.

Bin did not mention when the phone is expected to go on sale. We expect to wait quite a bit before it hits shelves. According to his translated post:

“Xiaomi’s dual-folding phone is coming! After tackling flexible folding display, four-way folding hinge, flexible cover tech, MIUI adaptation and other technical challenges, we have made the first foldable phone, and should also be the world’s first dual-folding phone. This symmetrically dual-outer-folding form factor perfectly merges the experience of a tablet and a phone, it’s both practical and beautiful. Even though it’s still a prototype, we’re showing it to you all. Feel free to share, comment and like. If you all like it, we will consider mass producing it.

Also, we would like to give this prototype a name. What do you think?I have two: Mi Dual Flex, Mi MIX Flex. Suggestions are welcome!”

The phone was available for testing at this years CES.  According to famous Youtuber MKBHD “I played with it at CES… Let’s just say foldable phones aren’t ready and that was proof.” Clearly we are a long ways away from foldable hitting the shelves.

Do you think foldable phones are the new trend or just a gimmick?