The Xiaomi Mi Mix 3 does away with the notch thanks to a new sliding mechanism that hides the front-facing camera. Aside from helping to pioneer the bezel-less approach, the new handset also follows Oppo’s Find X in supporting a whopping 10GB of RAM.
Inside the Xiaomi Mi Mix 3 sits all the signs of a current flagship. A Snapdragon 845 processor clocked at 2.8GHz, wireless charging for a 3200mAh battery, dual 12MP + 12MP camera on the rear and a sizeable 6.39-inch HDR AMOLED display with 2,340 x 1,080 resolution. But the device doesn’t just fall in line, blending with competition.
Instead, the Xiaomi Mi Mix 3 kills the divisive notch, stretching its screen to take up an unprecedented 93.4 percent of the body. This is thanks to a new sliding mechanism that hides the dual front-facing 24MP primary and 2MP depth sensing cameras behind the display. We’ve seen pop-up cameras appear throughout 2018, but rather than the motorised version seen on Oppo’s Find X, the Mi Mix 3’s “patented slider incorporates neodymium magnets that have been carefully calibrated.”
“Once the screen is pushed down, the magnetic mechanism immediately kicks in and finishes the opening in a snap with just the right amount of force,” Xiaomi announced. This has undergone extensive testing that projects a life expectancy of approximately 300,000 cycles.
While Oppo recently updated its Find X range to include a 10GB variant, the Mi Mix 3 will offer the option at launch alongside its 6GB and 8GB memory options. The 10GB model is only available in the Forbidden City / Palace Museum limited edition, coated in blue with a traditional Chinese styling near the base. Those that opt for this edition will also receive a 10W wireless Qi charger and a collectible statue in fancy packaging.
The limited edition 10GB model will set customers back around £561 / $720 / AU$1,017 with 256GB of storage. The 8GB variant holds the same amount of storage space while bringing the cost down to roughly £448 / $575 / AU$812. And finally, the most cost-effective model is the 6GB version with 128GB of storage space for around £370 / $475 / AU$671.
All models will be available on November 1st, with the 6GB and 8GB models coming in Onyx Black, Jade Green and Sapphire Blue colour options. A 5G version will be available at an undisclosed later date.
KitGuru Says: I’m not sure if 300,000 slides is something that sits well with me, but it does look like it forgoes the long-term complications that comes with a motor. Still, it’s a unique approach that leaves the screen looking like one of the best yet. What do you think of the new Xiaomi Mi Mix 3?