Xiaomi recently introduced their latest innovation, the Xiaomi Mix Fold 3, a foldable smartphone that was launched on August 14th in China. This unique device is designed to combine the convenience of a smartphone with the versatility of a tablet, featuring a book-style foldable design. The Mix Fold 3 is powered by the advanced Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 SoC and boasts a remarkable set of Leica-branded quad rear cameras.
What’s interesting is that Xiaomi’s release of the Mix Fold 3 follows closely on the heels of Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 5, which hit the market just last month. This rapid succession highlights the fierce competition heating up in the foldable smartphone arena. Both companies are striving to create a seamless blend of smartphone and tablet experiences, with the Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Xiaomi Mix Fold 3 leading the charge. The Mix Fold 3 might just be a viable alternative to the Galaxy Z Fold 5, particularly if it becomes available beyond the borders of China.
Comparing the two titans, Xiaomi’s Mix Fold 3 and Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 5, reveals intriguing insights across design, features, performance, and battery life.
Price-wise, the Mix Fold 3 kicks off at CNY 8,999 (around Rs. 1,02,000) for the 12GB RAM + 256GB storage variant in China. The higher-end models, like the 16GB RAM + 512GB option, are priced at CNY 9,999 (about Rs. 1,14,500), while the 16GB RAM + 1TB version costs CNY 10,999 (approximately Rs. 1,26,600). In contrast, the Galaxy Z Fold 5 starts at Rs. 1,54,999 for the base 12GB RAM + 256GB storage model. The higher storage variants, 512GB and 1TB, are priced at Rs. 1,64,999 and Rs. 1,84,999, respectively. Xiaomi’s more competitive pricing could potentially give it an edge, although it’s important to note that the Mix Fold 3 is currently only available in China.
In terms of specifications, both phones run on Android 13, each with their own customized user interface. Xiaomi’s Mix Fold 3 features MIUI Fold 14, while the Galaxy Z Fold 5 comes with One UI 5.1.1.
Delving into the display arena, the Mix Fold 3 presents users with a spacious 8.03-inch foldable E6 AMOLED LTPO inner display boasting a 2K resolution and a refresh rate of up to 120Hz. On the flip side, the Galaxy Z Fold 5 sports a 7.6-inch QXGA+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X Infinity Flex display on the inside, with an adaptive refresh rate spanning from 1Hz to 120Hz. The Mix Fold 3 also comes with a 6.56-inch full-HD+ AMOLED cover display, while the Galaxy Z Fold 5 offers a 6.2-inch full-HD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X Display on its exterior. Under the hood, both phones share the same processor. The Mix Fold 3 operates on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 SoC, coupled with up to 16GB of RAM and a maximum of 1TB of storage. Meanwhile, the Galaxy Z Fold 5 is powered by a custom Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 Mobile Platform for Galaxy SoC, accompanied by up to 12GB of RAM and up to 1TB of storage.
Camera setups are another notable difference between the two devices. The Mix Fold 3 boasts a Leica-tuned quad rear camera array, consisting of a 50-megapixel Sony IMX 800 primary camera with optical image stabilization (OIS), a 12-megapixel wide-angle sensor, a 10-megapixel periscope sensor, and a 10-megapixel telephoto sensor. On the other hand, the Galaxy Z Fold 5’s triple rear camera setup comprises a 50-megapixel wide-angle camera with OIS, a 12-megapixel ultra-wide-angle camera, and a 10-megapixel telephoto camera. Additionally, the Galaxy Z Fold 5 includes a 10-megapixel camera on its cover display.
For selfies and video calls, the Mix Fold 3 incorporates a 20-megapixel camera, while the Galaxy Z Fold 5 integrates a 4-megapixel under-display camera. Storage options for the Mix Fold 3 include 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB, while the Galaxy Z Fold 5 provides 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB storage variants. The two foldables share similar connectivity options and sensor setups. Notably, Samsung’s offering supports the S Pen stylus. Both models feature fingerprint sensors for secure authentication, although the Galaxy Z Fold 5 holds an IPX8 rating for water resistance, unlike Xiaomi’s phone.
In terms of battery performance, the Mix Fold 3 is backed by a 4,800mAh battery that supports 67W wired Turbo fast charging and 50W wireless charging. In comparison, the Galaxy Z Fold 5 houses a slightly smaller 4,400mAh battery and offers 25W wired charging, as well as Fast Wireless Charging 2.0 with 15W charging speeds. It also features Wireless PowerShare, allowing users to charge other wireless charging-compatible devices.