Xiaomi's Secret Phone: Is This the Revolutionary Tri-Fold Design Everyone Will Be Talking About?

In a significant move in the foldable smartphone market, Samsung has unveiled the Galaxy Z TriFold, positioning it as a broader alternative to the existing Galaxy Z Fold7, which is currently priced at $1,809 on Amazon. This launch comes at a time when competitors like Huawei have already introduced two tri-folding smartphones, while others have opted to take a wait-and-see approach.

Amid this competition, recent activity on the GSMA's IMEI database hints that Xiaomi may also be developing its own tri-fold smartphone. This follows a patent filed by Xiaomi over a year ago for a tri-folding smartphone design. Unlike the Galaxy Z TriFold, Xiaomi's design notably lacks a cover display. However, the current details don't confirm that this design will be the direction Xiaomi is pursuing. The listing for a device coded '2608BPX34C' on the IMEI database indicates that Xiaomi is working on a new device under its Mix Fold series.

Looking ahead, Xiaomi is expected to launch the Xiaomi 17 Fold next year, which will serve as the spiritual successor to the Mix Fold 4. Although no direct sequel to the Mix Fold has been announced, analysts at XiaomiTime suggest that the device coded 2608BPX34C could be the most likely candidate for the anticipated Mix TriFold. While the GSMA listing does not guarantee this will be the case, it does indicate that a new model is in development and is targeted for launch in August 2026 within Xiaomi's home market.

The rise of tri-fold smartphones reflects a broader trend in the industry toward innovative designs that offer more screen real estate while maintaining portability. As technology evolves, consumers are increasingly seeking versatile devices that can adapt to various use cases, and the tri-fold format seems to be a promising solution.

While Samsung has taken the lead with the Galaxy Z TriFold, the potential entry of Xiaomi into this market could intensify the competition, pushing manufacturers to innovate further and offer more attractive features to consumers. As we move forward, it will be interesting to see how these developments play out and what they mean for the future of smartphone design.