Xiaomi is reportedly joining the bandwagon of companies developing tri-fold smartphones, with recent social media claims suggesting that the company is working on its own version of a such device. According to tipster Smart Pikachu’s post on Chinese social media website Weibo, Xiaomi is developing a tri-fold smartphone and could unveil it as early as next year, potentially making its debut at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2025, which is scheduled to take place in February.
If these reports are to be believed then Xiaomi will become the latest Chinese tech giant to venture into the tri-fold smartphone market, following in the footsteps of Huawei and Samsung. After foldable phones have taken the market by storm, companies are now turning their attention to tri-fold phones, eager to test how this new form factor stacks up against traditional foldable devices. This also signifies a growing trend in the smartphone industry, where manufacturers are exploring new form factors to differentiate their products and offer users more versatile devices.
The Xiaomi tri-fold smartphone, as suggested by the tipster, is expected to feature a design with three distinct sections. When unfolded, these sections would reveal a large, tablet-sized display, providing users with an expansive screen ideal for multitasking, media consumption, and productivity. When folded, the device would assume a compact form factor, resembling conventional smartphones but with added thickness due to the three internal screens.
While detailed specifications of the Xiaomi device remain scarce, the general concept aligns with the trend observed in other tri-fold smartphones. The device would likely incorporate advanced hinge mechanisms to enable smooth transitions between folded and unfolded states, ensuring durability and usability.
Tri-fold phones seem to be the next big thing in the smartphone industry. Samsung, that has a lion’s share in the foldable phone segment, is prepping a tri-fold phone. There are talks that the company has developed some tri fold concepts but there’s no certainty if it will make to reality. Huawei is also said to be readying something similar. Huawei’s tri-fold smartphone has been the subject of various leaks in recent weeks, offering glimpses into its design and features. According to these leaks, Huawei’s device may feature a dual-hinge system with three screens. Two of these screens will fold inward, while the third screen folds outward. The inner display is speculated to measure around 10 inches and include a hole-punch cutout for the front camera.
