Xiaomi has just unveiled a host of new products, including a smartphone previously exclusive to China: the Xiaomi Mix Flip. During my short time with it, one feature has stood out.
Flip phones are still fairly novel, with only a handful of tech brands offering these sorts of devices on UK shores. That said, those with a flagship price – such as the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 and the Motorola Razr 50 Ultra – have a lot of similarities, so it can be hard to know what to go for.
One way Xiaomi is trying to stand out from the crowd is by having the option to take and make calls while the phone is folded.
One of my friends exclaimed, “Why is your phone so small?!”, giving me the perfect segue to dramatically reveal that it was a foldable
Hannah Cowton-Barnes / Foundry
Hannah Cowton-Barnes / Foundry
Hannah Cowton-Barnes / Foundry
I accidentally tested out this feature when I was out at the pub. My husband called me across the table as we could barely hear each other, and it was my turn for a round. On instinct, I pressed the answer button and held the phone to my ear with the front screen down.
One of my friends exclaimed, “Why is your phone so small?!”, giving me the perfect segue to dramatically reveal that it was a foldable – cue lots of awe as everyone asks to look at the Mix Flip, searching desperately for the crease on the screen.
This unintentional talking point got me thinking about this feature and its uses. I’ve previously written about how one of the biggest joys of a flip phone is unfolding it for calls, as it evokes that 2000s nostalgia of the Motorola V3.
On paper, this feels like a bit of a gimmick – and almost makes the fun factor of a flip phone redundant. However, I’ve used this feature more than I thought I would in real life, and I think I mainly do it out of one pure reason: laziness.
We’re still not really at a point where flip phones can be easily unfolded one-handed. It is doable with the Xiaomi Mix Flip, just as it is on other rivals, but it takes a bit of a faffing. You can’t just throw it open as you used to with the lightweight retro flips.
Hannah Cowton-Barnes / Foundry
Hannah Cowton-Barnes / Foundry
Hannah Cowton-Barnes / Foundry
With one hand holding my trusty cup of tea – which I’ll only let go of in dire circumstances – this closed-calling feature allows me to use the phone one-handed more easily. It’ll be handy for commuters clinging onto a hand rail, or those holding onto babies, human or fur.
That said, the speaker and microphone aren’t as clear as when you use the Xiaomi Mix Flip unfolded – that’s because the earpiece and lower microphone aren’t in the optimal position.
Nonetheless, it’s a handy alternative for the busy people who still want a flip phone, but sometimes don’t have the means to… well, unflip.
I’ll continue to play around with the Xiaomi Mix Flip and publish my full review on Tech Advisor soon. It starts from £1,099 and will hit shelves soon (date TBC). You’ll be able to pre-order it from the Mi store. This flip phone isn’t available in the US.
In the meantime, you can also check out all the news about the Xiaomi 14T series, the other major smartphones launched today by the Chinese tech giant.
