The Mix Fold 2 is a folding smartphone from Xiaomi. Taking up the “Fold” format introduced by Samsung, he wants to push the formula even further, especially in terms of finesse and photography. We were able to take it in hand.
Folding smartphones continue to invade the market little by little. While Samsung is leading the charge with its Galaxy Fold and Flip, other manufacturers are trying to take up the formula to improve it. This is the case of Xiaomi with the Mix Fold 2.
As the name suggests, this is the second iteration of the product. This smartphone adopts the “Fold” format, that is, with two screens, one of which is foldable. The Chinese brand is however trying to bring a little something extra, in particular with a design focusing on finesse, a larger exterior screen format and a photo module produced in partnership with Leica. How to become the new king of the format?
Let’s say it right away, the Mix Fold 2 is a China-exclusive device. It will never arrive in France, but nothing indicates that the brand does not have, in the long term, the desire to release this kind of product in Europe. So it’s interesting to see what she has to offer today. We were able to take this Fold 2 in hand for a few days to give you our impressions.
A design that relies on finesse
The Mix Fold 2 looks like a book. We have an 8.2-inch main screen located in the interior part and when we close it, we arrive at a 6.59-inch exterior screen. A format that of course imitates that of Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold, the first to have used it in 2019. However, Xiaomi has tried to improve it on all points.
One of the major improvements concerns the size of the slices. Once folded, the Mix Fold 2 is only 11mm thick, a little more than a classic smartphone. For comparison, the Z Fold 4 is 15mm. The manufacturer had the brilliant idea of slightly curving the external screen on one side in order to further reinforce the impression of finesse. Important point, when the terminal is closed, it is closed. No daylight between the two distinct parts as at Samsung!
Unfolded, it is only 5.4mm thick. When we use the big screen, we have the impression of having a simple aluminum plate on which the image is placed. Impressive and enjoyable. Regarding the weight, we remain on a fairly heavy product, since it weighs 262 grams.
For its design, Xiaomi has done a great job, combining chic and sobriety with an aluminum frame. We particularly appreciate the photo sensor, this small flat rectangle which blends perfectly into the landscape, although it stands out a lot from the back cover.
In hand, the Mix Fold 2 is a real treat to use. On this point, it stands out above all from the Z Fold by the format of its screens. The 6.59-inch outer panel adopts a 21: 9 ratio (2,520 x 1,080 pixels). This means that we have a screen in a format found on single-screen phones. You can almost spend a day without unfolding it, the navigation is so fluid and natural. It is on this display that daily manipulations (social networks, Internet browsing, consultation of emails) are done.
There are a few things to note about the 8-inch interior screen, which adopts a square format. First of all, the fold, although almost invisible to the naked eye, still feels good under the fingers. Second, it only has two positions: folded and unfolded. Unlike the Z Fold 4 which can fold halfway like a book, the hinge forces it open or close. A little frustrating to use, but you get used to it. The hinge, precisely, brings a feeling of solidity, but we can only judge the thing after a few months. We notice the absence of a selfie sensor on the interior display. No hidden camera under the screen here. For selfies, you will have to use the external screen. A relevant choice.
design level, the Mix Fold 2 is a great success. For its product, Xiaomi has taken the best from the competition to improve it further. Slender, pleasant in the hand, with impressive screens in the right format, the terminal is a real pleasure to handle. We particularly appreciate its finesse which brings it closer to a “classic” telephone.
Quality screens and a powerful processor
Regarding the screens, we have two LPTO panels with a refresh rate of 120 Hz (8 inches and 6.59 inches as a reminder). The main adopts a definition of 2160 x 1914 pixels while the exterior is 2520 x 1080 pixels. We analyzed them using our probe and the results are very satisfactory. Xiaomi offers us bright panels (650 cd / m²) and very respectful of colors. Of course, these are OLED screens (both), so we have infinite contrast, very pleasant to consume content, such as videos or gaming.
Inside the chassis we find a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 processor, supported by 12 GB of RAM. Unsurprisingly, the Mix Fold 2 dominates the benchmarks, making it into the top 5 most powerful smartphones on the market. Ideal for consuming content, but also for managing the interface that gives pride of place to multitasking.
The terminal has Android 12 with the MIUI Fold 13 overlay. fully adapts to the very particular format of the foldable screen. Proprietary applications as well as the interface follow the square shape without any worries.
On the other hand, no “PC” interface, with the screen slightly folded (as at Samsung), since the smartphone does not allow this use.
Small detail that is important: the software part is intended for the Chinese market only. We do not have access to the PlayStore (only the Mi Store and other local stores), no Google software suite and many texts remain in Mandarin, despite the addition of the English language. As a result, ordering it in import to use it as a classic smartphone is difficult, if not impossible, as a European. Even using it as an entertainment terminal is not a good solution. Concrete example: you must have a Chinese identity card in order to launch games (the law requires it in the country) and traditional streaming applications are not accessible.
Finally, a word about autonomy. It seems to be one of the phone’s weak points. It has a 4,500mAh battery and we’ve seen a bar that melts like snow in the sun, whether shooting or watching video. Holding a full day with its Mix Fold 2 is however possible, 90% of the time being spent on the exterior screen, which consumes less energy.
An unconvincing photo part
The Xiaomi Mix Fold 2 has a photo module made up of three sensors : a 50 megapixel main (f / 1.8), an 8 megapixel telephoto lens (f / 2.6, X2 optical zoom) as well as a 13 megapixel ultra wide-angle sensor (f / 2.4). As on the first model, the photo part was carried out in partnership with Leica, which now has a lot of expertise in the field of mobile phones.
After playing with the product, a clear observation emerges. The Mix Fold 2 manages… but only under certain conditions. In broad daylight and with good light, we have balanced shots with good contrast and color management. The wide angle, on the other hand, shows consistently overexposed results. The X2 optical zoom, for its part, is correct, but the digital zoom (X10) leaves much to be desired.
Another disappointment : night mode. This one is quite weak, displaying results that are difficult to read with a management of light close to disaster.
In short, we have here a decent camera under certain conditions, but far from our expectations. If we had to compare it to that of the Z Fold 4, we are well below. Too bad, because this is the big weak point of foldable phones today and there is really something to do. It is not enough to affix a Leica logo on its sensor to convince.
Read also – Galaxy Z Fold 4 test: innovation at its peak, but at what price?
When is a release in France?
How infuriating to see this Mix Fold 2 reserved only for the Chinese market! With this terminal, Xiaomi relies on the innovations of the competition to improve it on many points. Here, it is the design part that impresses, both by the finish of the chassis and by the format of the screens, very practical. However, the photo part remains perfectible, below the other folders on the market.
It only remains to know what are Xiaomi’s plans for such phones internationally. We know that the brand floods the market with terminals in all price segments in Europe. However, it has not yet communicated its plans for the Folds. Everything remains possible for the next models. In any case, there would be plenty of room in a still nascent market, especially with its price of 1300 euros.
