Xiaomi buttonless tri-fold phone

 Xiaomi buttonless tri-fold phone patent introduces Huawei Mate XT-like design 

A report revealed that Xiaomi is set to join the foldable action in earnest, specifically the tri-fold smartphone market. According to a patent filing spotted at the China National Intellectual Property Administration, or CNIPA, Xiaomi’s design seems to mimic the approach taken by Huawei when it announced the Mate XT, the first tri-fold phone to hit the market. Xiaomi has recently filed a new tri-fold patent which reveals Huawei Mate XT-like design. The former company could adopt the same Z-folding form factor for its first triple-foldable. But there will likely be changes in the device’s optical framework. China’s Intellectual Property Administration issued the patent on 21 December, 2022. It has been published on 03 Sep with the publication number CN308817132S. Foldable phones are quite trendy but it seems the world’s first tri-fold, the Mate XT has taken the trend to the next level. After Huawei, various tech makers like Honor, Samsung, and Xiaomi are ready to jump into the triple foldable pool. Honor is said to bring a 10mm thick tri-fold, while Samsung is allegedly preparing a rollable-style device. Now Xiaomi is ready to step into this ground. How this trend becomes a battle among smartphone makers would be worth looking at. 

The Xiaomi patent images highlight a tri-fold handset with three display panels just like the Huawei triple-foldable. These screens are said to be in different sizes to offer a thin and large viewing experience. The patent filing discloses a design featuring a foldable device with three distinct screen sizes realized through multiple hinges, a hallmark of tri-fold phones. This will enable a range of usage modes depending on how the device is folded-highly adaptable in various scenarios, from tablet-like functionality to compact smartphone form. The form factor of Xiaomi tri-fold is quite similar to the Mate XT. But the MIX Fold 3 maker could bring certain design upgrades. One of these could be the rear camera structure which appears like a rectangular bar in the latest patent pictures.

A notable feature from the renders is that there is a horizontal camera bar on the back panel, which appears to sport three sensors. It would therefore appear that Xiaomi has invested a significant amount into fitting a supreme camera system, no different from those within the firm’s premium phones. Inputs further reveal that the optical framework has three lens openings arranged horizontally. Beside the last lens, there is a thin pill-shaped LED flash.

While the patent filing does not confirm the consumer release, speculations have risen that this tri-fold model could form part of Xiaomi’s MIX series, a line of devices known for their experimental and boundary-pushing design. With Xiaomi’s previous concept, MIX Alpha, incorporating a wrap-around display, on paper, such a tri-fold concept certainly does make it even more exciting. Rumours about Xiaomi’s tri-fold ambitions have been going on for several months and different reports suggesting this device may make its global debut, whereas Huawei’s Mate XT faces restrictions due to sanctions. Xiaomi’s tri-fold phone, if launched may offer:-

Multiple screen sizes for flexibility in choice by the user for other form factors.

A high-performance camera system with three sensors positioned in a horizontal bar.

 Latest folding technology, under the probably already brand MIX:.

Potential availability in every market, with Android OS, to instantly give it an edge over Huawei’s models lacking Google services.

A three-fold smartphone from Xiaomi can prove to be a game-changer for the company and become a milestone for foldable technology. It is unclear whether Xiaomi will use this patent design as the final look of its first tri-fold phone. Although we can expect to see this new triple-fold device next year under the MIX lineup. Xiaomi is yet to confirm details on this matter. An early report predicted that Xiaomi is planning to join the triple foldable game soon. Now the latest patent revelation has added consent to some extent. If true, we may see a prototype of Xiaomi’s tri-folding phone at the MWC 2025 event. Keep watching for further updates as, in due course, Xiaomi might spill the beans on this revolutionary device!