Xiaomi’s foray into the world of tri-folding smartphones appears to be gaining momentum. Rumors circulating a month ago suggested that the Chinese tech giant would unveil a prototype or a fully realized tri-folding device at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) in February 2025.
Now, a recently published patent from the China National Intellectual Property Administration has provided a potential glimpse into Xiaomi’s vision for this innovative form factor.
The patent was originally filed in December 2022 but has now come to light. Unlike earlier conceptual designs from Xiaomi, this latest patent showcases a more practical approach to the tri-folding concept.
The design resembles Huawei’s Mate XT Ultimate, featuring a single, continuous display that can be fully unfolded for maximum screen real estate or partially folded to reveal only one-third of the screen.
The proposed device features a notably smaller camera island compared to Huawei’s Mate XT Ultimate. However, this compact camera design may be more aspirational than practical since it is only a patent. The inherent challenge with tri-folding devices lies in maintaining a reasonable thickness when folded, which often nets a more prominent camera bump to accommodate the imaging hardware.
Rumors from August suggest that this tri-folding device will be positioned within Xiaomi’s Mix series. However, it remains unclear whether the company intends to integrate this design into its Mix Fold line or launch it as an entirely new product category.
Samsung, a pioneer in foldable technology, showcased its Flex G concept in 2022, featuring a unique double inward fold that forms a G-like shape when closed. This year alone has seen tri-fold concept devices unveiled by both Oppo and Tecno, signaling a broader industry trend toward exploring these multi-folding form factors.
As we look ahead to 2025, we can expect to see what could be described as a “Cambrian explosion” in tri-foldable smartphone designs.
