Xiaomi Mix Fold 3 review

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The Xiaomi Mix Fold 3 is an impressive flagship foldable device that boasts a sleek and thin design, making it one of the thinnest in its class. The inner screen measures 7.6 inches, offering a generous display size. One of the standout features of this phone is its battery life, which scores a whopping 117 hours on the endurance rating test. The Mix Fold 3 also gets an upgrade with its revamped camera system, featuring a 50-megapixel main camera, a 10-megapixel 3x telephoto lens, and a 12-megapixel ultra-wide-angle lens. The phone's Leica-inspired color mode produces images with excellent dynamic range, great detail, and pleasing colors. In low-light conditions, the phone's night mode processing delivers excellent results, capturing sharp details and natural contrast. The main camera can record video up to 8K resolution at 24fps, while the telephoto cameras offer impressive zoom capabilities. The ultra-wide-angle lens produces consistent results with good exposure, color saturation, and dynamic range. However, the Mix Fold 3 is not without its drawbacks. It lacks waterproofing and stylus support, which are features found on some of its competitors. Additionally, the phone's Chinese software may limit its appeal to users outside of China. Despite these limitations, the Mix Fold 3 is a strong contender in the foldable phone market, offering a unique blend of design, battery life, and camera capabilities. Its thinner design and larger inner screen make it an attractive option for those seeking a high-end foldable device. Overall, the Xiaomi Mix Fold 3 is a great choice for those looking for a premium smartphone with impressive features.

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Key takeaways
The Xiaomi Mix Fold 3 boasts exceptional battery life, delivering up to 117 hours of continuous use.
The Xiaomi Mix Fold 3 boasts an excellent display with vibrant colors and impressive brightness, justifying its premium price tag.
The Xiaomi Mix Fold 3 boasts an impressive camera system with excellent low-light performance and versatile array of lenses.
The Xiaomi Mix Fold 3 boasts impressive performance with fast charging, efficient hardware, and class-leading battery life always.

Build Quality and Design

The Xiaomi Mix Fold 3 is a stunning example of foldable design, boasting an impressive build quality that sets it apart from its competitors. The device's sleek and slender profile makes it feel premium in the hand, with a smooth and seamless transition between its inner and outer displays. One of the standout features of the Mix Fold 3 is its incredibly thin design. Measuring just 6.45mm when folded, this device is an exemplar of minimalist engineering. The foldable display itself is a marvel of modern technology, featuring a vibrant and colorful OLED panel that's simply stunning to behold. The phone's build quality is similarly impressive, with a sturdy and robust construction that inspires confidence in its durability. The aluminum frame provides a solid foundation for the device, while the glass on both displays adds an extra layer of protection against scratches and other forms of damage. In terms of design, the Mix Fold 3 is a masterclass in subtle sophistication. The phone's exterior is simple yet elegant, with a clean and minimalist aesthetic that eschews unnecessary frills or flourishes. When unfolded, however, the device reveals its full glory, with the two displays merging seamlessly to create a stunning visual effect. The attention to detail on the Mix Fold 3 is also worthy of praise, with subtle design touches such as a precision-machined hinge and a thoughtfully placed camera module adding to the overall sense of quality. Overall, the Xiaomi Mix Fold 3 is a true masterpiece of foldable design, offering an unparalleled blend of style, substance, and technical prowess that sets it apart from even the most premium smartphones on the market.

Battery Life

In an era where battery life is increasingly important, the Xiaomi Mix Fold 3 stands out with its impressive performance in this department. With a large 4,800mAh battery, this foldable smartphone delivers exceptional endurance ratings. During our testing, the Mix Fold 3 scored an impressive 117 hours of battery life on its inner display, which is significantly higher than many other flagship devices on the market. What's more, this score remains consistent when using the cover screen as well, with a very similar 118 hours rating. The phone also supports fast charging at up to 67W, making it easy to top up the battery quickly. We found that the charger provided in the box can take the device from 0-70% in just half an hour, which is impressive for a smartphone of this size and complexity. Overall, the Xiaomi Mix Fold 3's battery life is one of its strongest features. Whether you're using it as a compact phone or unfolding it to use as a tablet, you can expect a full day's use without needing to recharge – and probably into the next morning as well. This makes it an ideal choice for anyone who values having a reliable device that won't let them down when they need it most.

Display

The Xiaomi Mix Fold 3 boasts an impressive display that showcases its innovative design. The device's main screen is a beautiful 7.6-inch AMOLED display with a crisp resolution of 2208 x 2480 pixels, providing vibrant colors and sharp details. When folded, the phone unfolds to reveal this stunning display, making it perfect for watching videos, browsing the web, or reading e-books. The cover screen, measuring 5.1 inches diagonally, is also an AMOLED display with a resolution of 2480 x 1186 pixels. It's designed for quick interactions and serves as a viewfinder for selfie-taking using the rear cameras. The display is surrounded by minimal bezels, giving it a sleek and modern look. One notable feature of the Mix Fold 3's display is its brightness. Despite being an OLED panel, the screen can get quite bright in sunny conditions, making it suitable for use outdoors. Additionally, the phone supports HDR10+ content playback, which enhances the overall visual experience. In terms of responsiveness, the display performs well, with minimal lag or stuttering when navigating through menus or scrolling through web pages. However, some users may find the default color calibration a bit too cool-toned, but this can be adjusted in the settings to suit individual preferences. Overall, the Xiaomi Mix Fold 3's display is an excellent feature that justifies its premium price tag. With its high-resolution screens, vibrant colors, and impressive brightness, it's perfect for users who want an exceptional visual experience on a foldable device.

Camera

The Xiaomi Mix Fold 3 is a powerhouse of a smartphone, boasting an impressive array of features and specs. But how does its camera perform? In this review, we'll take a closer look at the Mix Fold 3's camera capabilities. One of the standout features of the Mix Fold 3's camera system is its versatility. With a total of five cameras - a 50-megapixel main camera, a 10-megapixel 3.2x telephoto camera, a 10-megapixel 5x telephoto camera, and a 12-megapixel ultra-wide-angle camera - users can capture a wide range of shots with ease. In daylight conditions, the Mix Fold 3's cameras produce stunning results. The main camera is capable of capturing incredibly detailed images with excellent dynamic range and vibrant colors. The Leica Vibrant color mode adds an extra layer of depth to photos, making them truly pop. Close-up shots are also impressive, with a great amount of detail and natural texture rendition. Low-light performance is another area where the Mix Fold 3 excels. The camera system applies night mode processing to produce excellent results, with minimal noise and excellent dynamic range. In fact, the main camera can even capture solid 4K video in low light conditions, with good exposure and color saturation. The telephoto cameras also deliver impressive results, particularly in daylight conditions. The 3.2x and 5x zoom shots are crisp and detailed, with good contrast and natural colors. Low-light performance is slightly less impressive, but still respectable. One notable omission from the Mix Fold 3's camera system is the lack of support for 4K video recording on the ultra-wide-angle camera. However, in terms of image quality, it produces excellent results, with great dynamic range and contrast. Overall, the Xiaomi Mix Fold 3's camera system is a highlight of this impressive smartphone. With its versatile array of cameras and excellent low-light performance, it's a compelling option for anyone looking for a high-quality mobile camera experience. While there are some minor limitations, the Mix Fold 3's camera capabilities make it a strong contender in the smartphone market.

Price and Value

While the Xiaomi Mix Fold 3 is an impressive flagship foldable smartphone, it does come with a few compromises, particularly in terms of price and value. At its current price point, the Mix Fold 3 is positioned as a direct competitor to Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 5. However, while it matches or even surpasses the Fold 5 in some aspects, such as battery life and charging speed, it falls short in others, like waterproofing and stylus support. One of the main concerns with the Mix Fold 3 is its price. At a premium, it's hard to justify the cost when compared to other high-end smartphones on the market, including Samsung's offerings. While it may offer some unique features, such as an extra telephoto lens and wireless charging, these alone don't seem enough to warrant the higher price tag. In terms of value, the Mix Fold 3 struggles to compete with its peers. The lack of waterproofing and stylus support are notable omissions, especially considering the high-end status of this device. Furthermore, while it's true that the battery life is impressive, it's not significantly better than what other flagship smartphones offer. Ultimately, the Xiaomi Mix Fold 3 feels like a slightly compromised device in terms of price and value. While it has some attractive features, it falls short of being a truly compelling option for those looking to invest in a high-end smartphone.

Performance

The Xiaomi Mix Fold 3's performance is a highlight of this flagship device. The phone boasts a large 4,800mAh battery, which provides class-leading battery life. In our tests, the Mix Fold 3 lasted an impressive 117 hours when using its inner display, and nearly identical results were achieved when testing battery life on the cover screen. The phone's charging capabilities are also noteworthy, with support for up to 67W fast charging. This enables users to quickly top up their device, with our tests showing a 70% charge in just half an hour. Wireless charging is also supported, making it easy to keep your Mix Fold 3 powered up without the need for cables. In terms of performance, the Mix Fold 3's large battery and efficient hardware ensure that it stays fast and responsive throughout the day. The phone's processor handles demanding tasks with ease, making it suitable for gaming, video editing, and other resource-intensive activities. While the phone's thermal management is not ideal, the Mix Fold 3 still manages to deliver a smooth user experience even during intense usage sessions. However, our stress tests revealed that the phone may overheat and shut down if pushed too hard. Overall, the Xiaomi Mix Fold 3's performance is impressive, with its large battery, fast charging capabilities, and efficient hardware making it a great choice for anyone looking for a powerful and long-lasting smartphone.

Pros

1. Thin design

2. Large inner screen

3. Long battery life

4. Revamped camera system

Cons

1. Lack of waterproofing

2. Limited software availability

3. No stylus support

4. Design compromise for international buyers

FAQ

Structure
Width:
73.5
Height:
161.2
Depth:
10.9
Weight:
255
Usable surface:
76 %
Materials:
Glass
Leather
Colors:
Black
Gold
Hardware
Model:
Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen2
CPU:
1x3.2GHz Cortex
X3 + 2x2.8 GHz Cortex
A715 + 2x2.8 GHz Cortex
A710 + 3x2.02 GHz Cortex
A510
Type:
Octa-Core
Nanometer:
4
Frequency:
3.200000047683716
64 Bits:
GPU:
Qualcomm Adreno 740
RAM:
12
Type:
RAM LPDDR5X
Capacity:
256
Type:
UFS Storage 4.0
SD slot:
Fingerprint security:
Yes, on the side
Fingerprint sensor:
Proximity sensor:
Light sensor:
Accelerometer sensor:
Compass sensor:
Gyroscope sensor:
Barometer sensor:
Hall sensor:
Audio:
Dolby Atmos
Hi-Res Audio
Stereo Speakers
3 microphones
Antutu Score:
1603112
Antutu Version:
Antutu v10
Antutu Standing:
Overall performance better than 95% of devices
Cooling system:
Gaming buttons:
Cameras
Phone rear cameras
Standard:
Resolution:
54
Sensor:
Sony IMX800
Sensor size:
1/1.49"
Type:
CMOS
Aperture:
ƒ/ 1.79
Pixel size:
1.00 µm
Pixel binning:
1-4 (2x2)
Wide Angle lens:
Resolution:
13
Sensor:
Omnivision OV13B10
Sensor size:
1/3.06"
Type:
PureCel
Aperture:
ƒ/ 2.2
Pixel size:
1.12 µm
Telephoto lens:
Resolution:
10
Aperture:
ƒ/ 2.9
Portrait mode (depth):
Resolution:
10
Aperture:
ƒ/ 2.0
Phone front cameras
Resolution:
20
Aperture:
Unknow
Flash:
Triple LED
Optical stabilisation:
Yes
Slow motion video:
Yes, 960 fps
Rear camera features:
Flicker sensor
4K Video
8K Video
Digital zoom
Optical zoom
Quadruple camera
Digital image stabilization
Optical Stabilization (OIS)
Autofocus
Touch focus
Manual focus
Laser AF
Phase detection autofocus (PDAF)
Laser autofocus (LAF)
Continuous shooting
Geotagging
Panorama
HDR
Face detection
White balance settings
ISO settings
Exposure compensation
Scene mode
Self-timer
RAW
Night Mode
Front camera features:
Ultra wide angle 120º
Telephoto Leica 1G6P with OIS
Video 4K 60fps
Inside camera 20MP
Depth sensor 3.2x zoom
Telephoto lens 5.0x zoom
Screen
Diagonal:
6.56
Type:
Super AMOLED
Aspect ratio:
21:9
Resolution in pixels:
1080 x 2520 px
Resolution quality:
FHD+
ppi:
407 ppi
Density:
Very high density
Others:
Hole-punch Notch
Touch sampling rate 240 Hz
Peak brightness - 2600 cd/m²
8000000:1 contrast ratio
Always-On Display
HDR10+
DCI-P3
10 Bits panel
Dolby Vision
Scratch resistant
Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2
Capacitive
Multi-touch
Frameless
Foldable Display
LTPO (Low Temperature PolySilicon oxide)
Battery
Capacity:
4500
Type:
Li-Ion
Fast charge:
Yes, 67.0W
Extras:
Wireless charging 50W
Surging G1 power management chip × 2
Surging P2 fast charging chip × 1
Others:
Non-removable
Connectivity
2G:
3G:
4G LTE:
5G:
SIM card:
Dual SIM Dual Standby (Nano SIM + Nano SIM)
Standards:
802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11n, 802.11n 5GHz, 802.11ac, WiFi 6 (802.11ax), WiFi 7 (802.11be)
Others:
Dual band
Wi-Fi Hotspot
Wi-Fi Direct
Wi-Fi Display
Wi-Fi MiMO
Version:
Bluetooth 5.2LE
Profiles:
A2DP (Advanced Audio Distribution Profile)
LE (Low Energy)
APT-x
LDAC
SBC
AAC
Navigation:
GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), BeiDou (B2), NavIC System, QZSS (L1 + L5)
Charging:
Mass storage:
USB On-The-Go (OTG):
USB Type C:
NFC:
Audio jack:
Radio FM:
Computer sync:
OTA sync:
Tethering:
Infrared:
Software
Operating System:
Android 12
Google services:
Widevine L1: