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Xiaomi patents a Z fold foldable smartphone design

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  • Oct 10,2024
  • 3 min read
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Xiaomi is expected to launch its first foldable device in 2021. Obviously, it shouldn't be looking like this patented design. Along with the launch of its first-ever foldable smartphone, Xiaomi might also introduce a tweaked version of its in-house MIUI to take advantage of the large screen size.

Samsung toy with a similar idea in the past. But Xiaomi’s new design does differ from the company’s other foldable plans we’ve seen before, namely a dual-folding tablet it demonstrated in videos. When unfolded, users can take advantage of a display that’s three times its normal size. It would be reminiscent of a tablet rather than a smartphone in this mode. Part of this display also constitutes the phone’s back when in folded mode.

The company also seems to have gone with sharp edges instead of curved edges. Apparently, this bulky form factor doesn't make the device pocketable. Since it has an in-folding design, the foldable display is better protected when the device is in a folded state.

When unfolded, the device unveils a large display on the other side of the external display that was seen from the front. This large display has a two hinge mechanism, which means that it technically has three screen areas, with the first being on the opposite of the external display, while the other two are an extension of the same that fold inward from the back. Since the rear panel is completely comprised of the large display, the only camera is the selfie shooter which can only be used as the rear camera when the device is unfolded.

 

Design

The front screen is part of the main housing, where the most important components are processed. On the right side are the control buttons and the SIM card compartment. One large wide button is visible, presumably acting as a lock for folding and unfolding the phone. There is also a long volume button. In addition, the speakers and USB Type-C connection are placed at the top and bottom.

Xiaomi submitted a design patent with WIPO (World Intellectual Property Office). The patent was approved on September 18, 2020, the documentation contains 16 product sketches showing the foldable phone from all sides. It is a very modern phone with minimal screen edges. This device comes with a large display on both the front and back. When you fold the device, it becomes a dual-display phone. In this state (folded), the front screen is independent of the back. They can display different things simultaneously.

The device would feature a large primary screen and a tablet-sized folding display. There have been indications that Xiaomi is working on a foldable device. However, the company is yet to release any foldable phone. Sometime last month, there were reports that the company will most likely introduce its first foldable smartphone in early 2021. At the beginning of 2019, a prototype of a Xiaomi dual foldable phone appeared online. Nevertheless, the company did not release the device. A recent report shows that Xiaomi has filed a design patent for a futuristic-looking phone that can be folded twice in a Z-shape. The device has a gigantic flexible screen as well as a large front display is available.

 

Conclusion

One of the most unconvincing parts about this design is that it’s not slim by any chance and you won’t be getting a larger sensor as the main camera since both the front and rear cameras are in the punch hole cutout in the external display. When unfolded, the device unveils a large display on the other side of the external display that was seen from the front. This large display has a two hinge mechanism, which means that it technically has three screen areas, with the first being on the opposite of the external display, while the other two are an extension of the same that fold inward from the back.


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I'm a Computer Science graduate, likes to do ordinary work in an extraordinary manner. I'm quite creative, a workaholic. I regularly used analyze new research, development, innovation by tech giants. I'm interested in Machine learning, Data Science along with research work applications on them & solving puzzles, quizzes.

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