A new patent application filed in China reveals that Xiaomi is considering a Galaxy Z Flip-style foldable clamshell smartphone, but with a Pixel-style photo block design.
This is not Xiaomi’s first patent application; at the end of last December, the brand had already filed a foldable clamshell smartphone design. This time, the manufacturer is filing a new design, quite similar to the first, but with a difference that we notice directly: the rear photo block, which looks (a lot) like that of the Google Pixel 6.
Xiaomi files foldable smartphone design
If this mysterious smartphone does not yet have a name, we already know a good part of its design. The images of the phone were seen on the website of the Chinese National Intellectual Property Administration and relayed by MySmartPrice. What to see the design of this Xiaomi Flip (you never know) from every angle. However, no way to get information about onboard sensors.
A design that reveals some information
The rear photo block shows that there would a priori be two sensors at the rear since there are three circular cutouts, the last hole being probably for the flash. What suppose the existence of a main sensor as well as an ultra wide-angle.
The power button and those of the volume are located in this design on the right edge of the smartphone. On the lower edge, there is a USB-C port, a grid that would accommodate a speaker, a SIM drawer.
However, no selfie sensor is observed. It is possible that Xiaomi uses a camera located under the screen; this is what we had on the first Mi Mix Fold of the name.
Finally, no detail on the diagrams filed suggests the existence of an external screen, to be able to use the smartphone in the folded position.
Remember that this design is only a draft; there is no guarantee that this phone will be marketed one day, or even that a prototype will be manufactured. Xiaomi could come to compete with Samsung in the field of foldable smartphones. The brand would work on a Mix Fold 2 which would challenge the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4. If the Chinese company launches a foldable phone in clamshell format, it would also encroach on the flowerbeds of the Galaxy Z Flip 4.
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