Table of Contents
Best Xiaomi Mix Flip is a strong initial attempt in this flip phone category. It outperforms its competitors in terms of charging speed and battery capacity. Some problems need to be dealt with in the upcoming generations.
Opening statement
Xiaomi is quite familiar with foldable devices. They have been manufactured by it since 2021. The inaugural Xiaomi Mi Mix Fold was the first one. However, the Mix Flip marks Xiaomi’s debut in the flip phone market.
It competes against the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 and Motorola Razr 50 Ultra in the ring, both of which are descendants of the iconic flip phones that were popular in the 2000s.
Is it able to rival? Xiaomi has refrained from lowering the price of this phone. It is expensive at a price of £1099.
The lack of durability in comparison to competitors is also concerning for a foldable device that is already vulnerable. And the crease on its display seems to have become more prominent in just the initial weeks of usage, according to reports.
Still, the Xiaomi Mix Flip stands out with its quick battery charging and impressive battery capacity compared to the other options, making it a great choice for those prioritizing convenience in a flip foldable device over style.
Create a plan
- Two screens that can be folded and flipped.
- Easily noticeable crease in the display
- Inadequate ergonomic design of the front screen.
The design of the Xiaomi Mix Flip closely resembles that of the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6, with a slightly bigger inner screen.
If you are looking for a Xiaomi Mix Flip phone similar to the Motorola Razr, what is there not to like? The main concern is that the Xiaomi Mix Flip is Xiaomi’s first-generation phone of this kind. And you can see it prominently in one or two important areas.
To start with, the Xiaomi Mix Flip is not officially water or dust resistant. Samsung has successfully improved the Galaxy Z Flip 6 by enhancing its water resistance, though it offers only limited dust protection due to the screen hinge.
From the beginning, the Xiaomi Mix Flip features a noticeable fold line on its screen hinge. I brought the phone with me on a getaway weekend with some friends who aren’t as into technology, and their almost unanimous reaction was, “Wow, that crease is something.”
It seems to have become more intense following the initial weeks of use. I get distracted when I’m in an area with bright lighting. The Mix Flip’s crease is more prone to distracting reflections compared to a phone with a curved glass front. Sometimes I have observed differences in brightness near the fold during regular use, due to the OLED display looking a bit dimmer when seen from a side angle.
If you view this fold line as an issue in foldable devices, it is still unresolved.
I am not especially qualified to discuss the main concern here: the durability of the Xiaomi Mix Flip in the long run. To date, I have not noticed any harm done to the plastic covering on the inside screen, even though I have regularly stored it in my pocket without folding it. However, this particular investigation will require several months of continuous utilization.
The steel hinge seems quite sturdy, and the phone’s exterior incorporates Xiaomi’s Dragon Crystal Glass. Xiaomi asserts that this material is more durable than the alternative Gorilla Glass. Naturally, it does. However, I have already succeeded in creating some small scratches on the black glass.
Monitor
- 6.86 inches screen that can be folded
- Screen cover measuring 4.01 inches.
This phone features a 6.86-inch OLED display internally, as well as an approximately 4-inch OLED screen on the top section of the back side. The high pixel count of the cover screen and the unique layout around the cameras make it look amazing.
I tend to open the Xiaomi Mix Flip mostly whenever I use the phone, since the outer screen has limited abilities and it’s difficult to wake up the display when closed. You utilize the power button to accomplish this task, and my thumb always ungracefully seeks it out.
Need the essential data?
The internal display can achieve 515 nits under regular circumstances and 912 nits when showcasing HDR content. The front display showed comparable results. Xiaomi states that the screens can achieve 3000 nits, but it’s a meaningless statement if you’ll never experience that level of brightness during regular usage.
The primary display has a punch hole, which is spacious enough to view 16:9 content seamlessly without obstruction. The punch hole should not be a concern; it is the distorted reflections that you should be worried about.
Quality stereo speakers also enhance the experience of watching content. They are quite noisy, possess some deep low-frequency power, and they emit sound from both sides of the Mix Flip.
Photographic devices
- Lacks an ultra-wide lens
- Inconstancy in image quality, average at night
The Xiaomi Mix Flip comes with a triple camera setup. There is a standard cam and a 2x zoom on the back, along with a selfie camera inside.
Some critics have expressed dissatisfaction with the inner camera, finding it somewhat unnecessary. However, it clearly is not the case if you enjoy video chatting.
An ultra-wide camera is the absent component on the back. I personally favor using a zoom lens over an ultrawide lens since it allows for more shooting possibilities. The majority of us do not dedicate a significant amount of time exploring the Acropolis or any other location where a broad view is necessary. In the past weeks, there have been only a few instances when I have missed having one.
This camera is mostly enjoyable to use, however there are a few notable problems.
Capturing blurry photos with the Xiaomi Mix Flip is quite simple when the lighting is dim. This indicates that the computational photography mode, which requires one to multiple seconds to capture an image, is not effectively executed. This phone does indeed come with optical image stabilisation. Consistency in images needs improvement.
Extremely dim settings also do not lead to high-quality photographs. Despite the Xiaomi Mix Flip effective low-light processing, textures may still often appear like oatmeal or porridge.
Color accuracy may be compromised when working with scenes that require more dynamic range processing or low light adjustments. The lack of sharpness on the edges and corners of the frame highlights the importance of using a Leica lens, as shown here (not a lot of value, if you’re still questioning).
When examining the sensors utilized, it is not very shocking that the budget for camera equipment was somewhat limited. This lineup consists of all Omnivision cameras: an OVX8000 for the primary camera, OV32B for the selfie camera, and an OV60A40 for the zoom feature. Yes, the zoom utilizes a 60MP sensor, but I assume it crops the sensor to decrease the necessary magnification in the lens. I’ve seen that technique before, it’s a bit cheeky.
However, let’s not criticize the Xiaomi Mix Flip camera too harshly. During daylight hours, it can capture beautiful images, and I am very satisfied with the quality of 4x zoomed photos. The application allows zooming up to 20 times, with preset options at 1x, 2x, and 4x. It serves as a guide for selecting the appropriate settings to avoid getting low-quality images.
In low light conditions, the phone will switch back to the main camera when taking 2x zoomed pictures, resulting in noticeable differences in quality and appearance compared to using the zoom feature.
The video modes of the Xiaomi Mix Flip come with several intriguing features that complement its reputation as a camera designed for vloggers. You can utilize the rear screen for taking rear camera selfies and vlogs, of course.
There is a feature called teleprompter mode which enables you to bring in documents to read while filming. Of course, you can control the speed at which the text scrolls.
The Xiaomi Mix Flip has the capability to record video in either 8K 30fps or 4K 60fps with stabilisation provided by OIS in all modes. There is also a Master Cinema mode available, with a slightly different, overall warmer color tone. Its main emphasis seems to be on preserving highlights instead of primarily emphasizing image brightness, making it easier to edit without struggling against the phone’s processing.
These examples of tertiary features are not perceived as unnecessary extra elements. Great job, Xiaomi.
Computer programs and applications.
- Tailored front screen interface.
- Xiaomi Mix Flip familiar approach to Android 14.
- Only certain apps are compatible with the front screen.
Overall, the software on the Xiaomi Mix Flip is very similar to that of other Xiaomi phones in terms of appearance and user experience.
The foundation is Android 14. You have the option to decide if you want an app drawer or not. And, the aspect that consistently bothers me, the drop-down menu allowing access to feature toggles and notifications is divided in two. To access notifications, swipe down on the left side, and for feature toggles, swipe down on the right side.
The crucial aspect is the implementation of the front screen. Unlock the Xiaomi Mix Flip while in the closed position and you will notice a miniature home screen.
Xiaomi Mix Flip claims the front screen can support 200 apps. Instead of automatically adding all compatible apps, the Mix Flip requires you to manually select which ones to include in the Settings menu.
In addition to popular choices like the camera and phone from Xiaomi, other successful options include Spotify, Chrome, Facebook, WhatsApp, and TikTok. This approach is considerably more responsible than allowing you to attempt anything.
To be honest, I don’t enjoy using any app on the front screen because the Xiaomi Mix Flip feels like an unfortunate combination of bulky and crowded. And as previously noted, the action of unlocking the front screen during regular use is like a disaster in terms of ergonomics in the car.
But as a way to carry out a challenging task? It’s actually quite good.
Xiaomi additionally claims that the Mix Flip will incorporate Circle to Search, a smart search feature from Google. However, it is currently not available on my phone for review.
Acting
(Note: The word “Performance” has been paraphrased as “Acting” keeping the same amount of words in the response)
- Boasts an exceptional processor
- Did not pass our stress tests
- Still suitable for gaming
The Xiaomi Mix Flip features a superb processor in the form of the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. This is a top-of-the-line processor that was introduced in late 2023, and was one of the strongest mobile processors on the market when the phone was launched.
It’s full of energy. However, this is not the most optimal use of it in real life.
In addition to significant thermal throttling, it also did not pass 3DMark’s Time Spy stress test. This indicates that it could not withstand intense use for 20 minutes without getting too hot, causing the app to shut down. Less than perfect.
I tested another stress test application, which indicated that it maintains only 45% of its performance when put under pressure. As GPU performance decreases rapidly, the CPU gradually weakens due to heat buildup, eventually reaching a dismal condition.
Creating a foldable flip phone that functions at the same level as a traditional candybar phone is likely a challenging task. However, it does make you question if the cash you shell out for those premium features is worth it.
I did attempt to play Fortnite, and it worked smoothly. The upper echelons of frame rate and graphics choices were also made available.
Duration of battery usage
- Takes approximately 50 minutes to charge.
- Long-lasting battery that provides comfort throughout the entire day.
- Charging capabilities go as high as 67 watts.
The Xiaomi Mix Flip boasts the biggest battery in its category of flip phones to date. It is a 4780mAh battery, slightly below what I believe is the ideal minimum capacity for most Android devices.
This flip phone has impressive durability and excellent overall longevity. I have not needed to be concerned about it failing prematurely during regular use. Although I have occasionally completely drained it by late evening, it usually has about 15-20% charge remaining by the end of a normal day.
It can charge at 67W, but the highest recorded was 62W, quickly dropping to around 50W and decreasing even more throughout the charging process, which is typical.
The Xiaomi Mix Flip attains 50% battery in a mere 19 minutes, and reaches 100% charge in just 50 minutes. Charging a Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 can take over 90 minutes. Once more, a flip phone achieves an excellent outcome.
However, the Z Flip 6 does include wireless charging, unlike this device.
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