Xiaomi's foldable phone to launch around April, at Rs. 74,999
Taking on Samsung's Galaxy Fold and Huawei's Mate X, Xiaomi is working to launch its foldable phone sometime in Q2 2019, according to a report. The tech giant has already showcased the novel device, detailing its dual-folding mechanism. Currently known as Mi Flex or Mi Fold, the phone is expected to arrive at $999 or Rs. 74,999 in India. Here's everything to know.
Xiaomi's device will fold outwards to form a tablet
As seen in the showcasing video, both sides of the Xiaomi device can fold backward to switch from a tablet form-factor into a compact phone. This is unlike other phones we've seen from Samsung, Huawei, and Royole which fold from the middle. Interestingly, the clip also highlights that Xiaomi's 2-in-1 device will have a slim body, ultra-narrow bezels, and a center-positioned power button.
Under the hood
In terms of specs, the Xiaomi foldable phone is expected to be powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 chipset along with up to 10GB RAM. We can also expect it to pack at least two batteries - similar to Samsung's Galaxy Fold and Huawei's Mate X. Further, in terms of software, the upcoming phone should run an Android Pie-based version of MIUI.
Xiaomi's foldable phone could be India's first foldable device
Citing investors in Xiaomi's supply chain, iGyaan claims that the company "will launch their foldable phone as soon as the end of April or early June." The report adds that the global unveiling will happen in China "followed by several localized launches" in important markets including India. Hence, Xiaomi's device could beat India-bound Galaxy Fold as the country's first foldable phone.
Xiaomi foldable phone: The cheapest foldable phone yet?
According to the report, Xiaomi plans to sell the foldable device at $999 in the US and Rs. 74,999 in India. This pricing will make it the cheapest foldable announced so far. To recall, its competitors - the Galaxy Fold and Huawei Mate X - come with a price tag of $1,980 and $2,600, respectively.
