Xiaomi Mix Flip long-term review: now that's how it's done!

I am a self-confessed fan of foldable smartphones. With the first flip, the Mix Flip, Xiaomi even manages to make the use even greater, and on the very first try, really a prototype. I am delighted about the smart cover display, the strong processor, the big battery, and the camera in such a handy smartphone. There are two small points of criticism and the price.

I had Xiaomi off my radar for a long time and thought of cheap Chinese smartphones. The 14 Ultra, which I had as a test device in spring 2024, has been my daily driver since then: high-quality build, with all the relevant components, and for me the best camera on the market.

Cover display: the milestone

The front display measures 4 inches, is an OLED with 120 Hz, and gets up to 3,000 nits bright. Not even the iPhone 16 has that. It is as if a Ferrari were parked in the garage as a second car. It is not a perfect display, but it is an important milestone for flip smartphones.

• The wallpaper wraps around both lenses. On the left are the apps, up to 100 according to Xiaomi, not widgets but full-fledged apps. Instagram, TikTok, Google Maps, YouTube, and WhatsApp work completely, including replying to messages.
• On the right are small widgets as shortcuts.
• With previous flip smartphones I always ended up having to open the device after all. That is not necessary with the Mix Flip, and that is the real spirit of a flip.
• Unlocking works by fingerprint in the power button or by face, very accurate both open and closed.
• An additional speaker on the outside allows phone calls with the phone closed, without using the speakerphone.
• The animated lock screens are well thought out.

The inner display has 6.86 inches. Movies and social media are fun. The crease in the middle is at least for now barely visible and only slightly noticeable. Whether that is still true in one or two years remains to be seen.

Performance

The device is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, which you can use to render 4K videos and play demanding games. Apps launch in a flash, and multitasking runs smoothly. In Germany it also comes with 12 GB of RAM and 512 GB of storage.

Leica camera

The camera has a 50-megapixel main camera and a 50-megapixel telephoto zoom camera. I love the Leica style, which can be customized. For photos you choose between Leica Vibrant and Leica Authentic, and there are many filters and lens settings for portraits that look like they’re from a studio. Unlike the Xiaomi 14T Pro, the Mix Flip has a macro camera. I find the macro mode for photos and videos and the portrait function especially great. The 32-megapixel selfie camera is surprisingly good.

One highlight: the front display serves as a preview for the main camera. That way you use the full power of the Leica lenses and see yourself at the same time. The device can also be used as a handy tripod. How good the camera is, you can judge for yourself from the recordings.

Battery and charging

At 4,780 mAh, the Mix Flip has the biggest battery that has existed in a foldable smartphone so far. I get an average screen-on time of about 7 hours and easily make it through two full days, perhaps a bit less if I am away from Wi-Fi a lot and use the camera a lot. It charges at 67 watts, from 0 to 100% in under an hour. The weight is only 192 g.

Points of criticism

1. No wireless charging. Not tragic for me, but for others it is.
2. No protection against dust and water. Fair for a foldable, a big challenge, but you worry when the device gets wet.

On AI, thanks to the cooperation with Google the Mix Flip is supposed to get functions like Circle to Search, AI image editing for removing and moving objects, a portrait designer, and functions in the notes and recorder apps. I can’t say anything about that yet, they are not yet available and are supposed to come with one of the next updates.

Price

The Mix Flip costs €1,300 RRP and is much more expensive than the competition. Five points on that:

1. The price will still fall, as is usual with Xiaomi.
2. It comes with 512 GB of storage right away. I would have wished for a cheaper 128 GB variant so more people have access.
3. A free case and a 67-watt charging adapter are included, which you pay extra for with other manufacturers.
4. Out of the box it does a lot better than the competition, with an unbeatable outer display and the biggest battery in a foldable.
5. The animated backgrounds on the outer display are worth every cent.

Verdict

The Mix Flip is fun. Thanks to the velvety texture and the slight curve of the back, it sits in the hand like a worry stone and disappears compactly into any pocket. You can’t end a phone call more stylishly than by snapping it shut. With its features, camera, and well-thought-out outer display, Xiaomi has planted a flag for how flip phones should be at the very least, and others will have to follow it in the future. I won’t give up my Mix Flip anytime soon.