Which gadget has sold the most foldables over the past three years, do you know? The fact that it is the clamshell Galaxy Z Flip 3, Galaxy Z Flip 4, and Galaxy Z Flip 5 may surprise some of you. Around the horizontal axis, all three fold. You may be thinking most people would think a phone that doubles as a tablet would be more beneficial than a gadget that fits in your pocket and opens up to function like a standard smartphone.

The typical John Doe is more likely to picture a book-shaped gadget with opening and closing on a vertical axis, akin to the Galaxy Z Fold models, when he thinks of a foldable. Nearly all companies that offer book-style foldables also have clamshell models. In addition to Samsung, there’s Vivo, Huawei, Oppo, and shortly, Xiaomi. On China’s 3C regulatory website, Leaker Digital Chat Station (via NotebookCheck.net) stumbled upon an intriguing Xiaomi Mix Flip variation and shared it on his Weibo social media profile.

The China Compulsory Certification, or 3C, is a safety label that certifies a gadget has undergone testing and is safe for use in China. The Xiaomi Mix Flip, which had the model number 2405CPX3DC when it was discovered by the leaker on the 3C website, was not compatible with satellite messaging or calls, unlike a different phone model. For fans of Xiaomi outside of China, this is really encouraging since it suggests that the company may be working on a clamshell model specifically for outside markets.

Another crucial parameter that the Mix Flip without satellite connectivity may have an advantage over its rivals is charging speed. This specific clamshell model, according to Digital Chat Station, has 67W wired charging as opposed to 44W on the Vivo X Flip and the Oppo Find N3 Flip. Motorola’s Razr+ can charge at a maximum of 30W, whilst the Galaxy Z Flip 5 can charge via cable at a rate of 25W.

In addition to quicker charging, the Xiaomi Mix Flip is anticipated to include ultra-slim design and back cameras bearing the Leica name, which might give Xiaomi’s clamshell a competitive edge. It is anticipated to be Xiaomi’s first foldable device to get an IP classification for water and dust resistance.

The potent Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 SoC that powers the Xiaomi Mix Flip may be unveiled in Q3 2024. The primary camera on the gadget will include a 50MP sensor with optical image stabilization, or OIS. A 12MP ultra-wide camera with a 1/2.8-inch Omnivision OV60A sensor and a 10MP periscope telephoto lens with a 2x optical zoom will be available. One possibility for the front-facing camera’s sensor is a 32MP Omnivision one.