Xiaomi MIX Fold 3, CyberDog 2, Xiaomi Pad 6 Max 14” and Xiaomi Smart Band 8 Pro launch in Beijing
Xiaomi made a significant mark today with its momentous event, the Lei Jun Annual Speech | Xiaomi Launch 2023, hosted at the prestigious China National Convention Center. This grand gathering witnessed the unveiling of a diverse array of groundbreaking products, spanning from cutting-edge smartphones to ingenious ecosystem offerings and innovative robotic advancements. Among the highlights were the Xiaomi MIX Fold 3, Xiaomi Pad 6 Max 14″, Xiaomi Smart Band 8 Pro, Redmi K60 Ultra, and CyberDog 2. Moreover, Lei Jun, the visionary Founder, Chairman, and CEO of Xiaomi Group, took center stage to deliver his annual speech, sharing invaluable experiences and profound insights amassed over the past 36 years. Simultaneously, he unveiled Xiaomi’s overarching philosophy that will guide the company’s trajectory into the future.
Announcement of Xiaomi’s core philosophy: Investment in technologies to benefit humanity
Amidst the onset of profound shifts in the industrial and technological landscape, Xiaomi has cast its gaze resolutely forward, heralding a strategic enhancement that underscores its commitment to humanity. The company formally unveiled its augmented technology strategy, encapsulating a fundamental ethos: the relentless pursuit of technologies that enrich human lives.
“We remain steadfast in our focus on long-term value and unswerving commitment to sustained investment. This approach is essential for forging core competitiveness and erecting a bastion around us, enabling us to ascend as a true technological powerhouse,” emphasized Lei Jun, the astute Founder, Chairman, and CEO of Xiaomi Group. He articulated Xiaomi’s technological journey as not merely servicing contemporary society, but as a pivotal contribution to shaping the future of humankind through innovation, advancement, and progress.
Xiaomi has delineated four pivotal avenues and guiding tenets for this strategic evolution, encompassing the profound cultivation of foundational technologies, unwavering and enduring investment, and the seamless fusion of hardware and software, all galvanized by the prowess of artificial intelligence.
This strategic recalibration underscores Xiaomi’s resolute alignment with a “technology-oriented” orientation, underscoring its unswerving trajectory towards a future steeped in innovation.
The strides achieved by Xiaomi in pioneering self-developed technologies are intrinsically linked to its sustained dedication to research and development over the years. Reports reveal an impressive compound annual growth rate of 38.4% in R&D investment during the six-year span from 2017 to 2022. Notably, the company’s projected R&D investment for 2023 is poised to surpass RMB 20 billion, with a steadfast commitment to surpassing RMB 100 billion in R&D investment over the forthcoming five years spanning 2022 to 2026.
On the technological forefront, the Xiaomi MIX Fold 3 emerges as a paragon of the company’s latest strides in foldable flagship smartphones. It continues the legacy of slim and lightweight design while delivering an encompassing and potent product experience in aspects ranging from imaging prowess to performance and reliability. In establishing new benchmarks for foldable devices, Xiaomi asserts its preeminent position within the premium foldable smartphone market.
Slim, lightweight, and highly durable: Xiaomi proprietary hinge sets new records in the reliability of foldable smartphones
In upholding our unwavering commitment to redefine boundaries, the Xiaomi MIX Fold 3 maintains its resolute pursuit of sleek, lightweight elegance, with dimensions that astound – measuring a mere 255g in weight, a folded thickness of 10.86mm, and an astonishing slimness of 5.26mm when fully open. This remarkable feat is largely attributed to the ingenuity of Xiaomi’s proprietary hinge, which, when compared to its predecessor’s Micro Waterdrop hinge, boasts a 8.6% reduction in folded thickness and an even more impressive 12.5% reduction when unfolded. The hinge is also engineered to be 8% narrower and occupies 17% less space, collectively contributing to the overall slimness and lightness of the device, thus maximizing the available space within the phone’s confined confines to yield a remarkably versatile and lightweight device.
The incorporation of Xiaomi’s proprietary hinge into the Xiaomi MIX Fold 3 brings about a notable enhancement in the device’s reliability. It employs a 3-element connecting rod structure, integrating up to 14 micro-hinges, significantly augmenting the hinge’s range of motion and seamlessly accommodating the display’s curvature. This innovative design effectively counteracts variations in display shape and minimizes the risk of display damage in case of accidental drops. The hinge’s core structure is constructed from ultra-high strength steel boasting an impressive yield strength of up to 1800MPa. When combined with the ultra-durable carbon ceramic steel rotating mechanism, it further bolsters the hinge’s durability and dependability.
Both displays of the Xiaomi MIX Fold 3 are fortified with comprehensive protection. The inner display employs UTG (Ultra Thin Glass), which is 2.25 times sturdier than traditional colorless polyimide (CPI). Meanwhile, the outer display is composed of Corning® Gorilla® Glass Victus®️ 2, delivering a 50% enhancement in drop resistance compared to its predecessor.
Furthermore, the Xiaomi MIX Fold 3 presents a special edition that incorporates Xiaomi’s own composite fiber technology. This proprietary composite fiber blends high-strength aramid and ceramic fibers, significantly amplifying its resilience against drops.
With this impressive amalgamation of innovations spanning both materials and structure, the Xiaomi MIX Fold 3 emerges as a paragon of overall reliability. Its performance has earned it the prestigious TÜV Rheinland Extreme Folding certification, validated for an impressive 500,000 folding cycles.
Slim and lightweight with exceptional imaging capabilities: Quad camera system with Leica optical lens to reach new heights in photography among lightweight and slim foldable
In addition to its sleek and lightweight profile, robust camera performance stands as a pivotal focal point. Leveraging the augmented stacking space facilitated by the novel hinge design and a compact optical system co-engineered with Leica, the Xiaomi MIX Fold 3 has adeptly accommodated its quad-camera array, featuring Leica optical lenses, within an extraordinarily slim and lightweight frame. This configuration encompasses focal lengths spanning from 15mm (ultra-wide) and 23mm (main) to 46mm (main), 75mm (telephoto), and even 115mm (periscope), thereby enabling an extensive full focus range of 0.6x to 5x. This achievement sets unprecedented standards for photography within the realm of slim and lightweight foldable devices.
The integration of four cameras across five distinct focal lengths synergistically elevates the device’s imaging capabilities. The 23mm ƒ/1.77 wide aperture main camera introduces an ultra-low color dispersion glass lens into the Leica optics-equipped quad camera system, effectively eradicating color discrepancies and delivering images that exude precision and clarity, thus redefining professional image quality. The 15mm ultra-wide offers a panoramic field of view extending up to 120°, while the 75mm telephoto and 115mm periscope lenses excel in their specific domains, affording users enhanced creative freedom in composition. Moreover, the 115mm periscope lens achieves a remarkable 30cm super-macro capability within a confined space, rendering the Xiaomi MIX Fold 3’s camera versatile across a multitude of scenarios.
Continuing the legacy of Xiaomi’s flagship imaging capabilities, the Xiaomi MIX Fold 3 adheres to the pursuit of authentic color rendition and timeless tones characteristic of Leica’s style. It eschews excessive sharpening or over-processing in favor of retaining the interplay between light and shadow textures, thereby encapsulating a Leica-like aesthetic. The incorporation of two distinct photographic styles by Leica offers heightened creative flexibility. Moreover, the Pro mode extends the provision of Leica’s custom photographic styles, empowering professional users to capture images that embody their distinctive artistic sensibilities.
The Xiaomi MIX Fold 3, characterized by its expansive inner display equipped with advanced hovering capabilities, introduces an array of distinctive features that enhance both photography efficiency and entertainment value. This encompasses the capability to capture and concurrently preview images on the inner display, ensuring real-time assessment of the finished photograph on the left half of the screen, negating the need to navigate to the photo album for viewing. Furthermore, the smartphone facilitates rear camera selfies by utilizing the outer screen for real-time previewing. This exploits the superior quality of the main camera with Leica optics, resulting in selfies of exceptional caliber surpassing those taken with the front-facing camera. Moreover, the foldable design facilitates waist-level photography in hover mode for seamless low-angle shots. A newly added front-facing camera on the inner screen caters to both selfies and video conferencing needs, amplifying the device’s versatility.
Slim and lightweight with a long-range battery: Xiaomi Surge battery and large, low-power display bid farewell to battery anxiety
Addressing the battery life conundrums posed by foldable smartphones, Xiaomi has harnessed the prowess of technological innovation to introduce a solution with the Xiaomi MIX Fold 3. Pioneering a dual Xiaomi Surge battery architecture and an advanced generation of silicon-carbon negative electrode technology, complemented by an array of optimizations, the device achieves a noteworthy 10% boost in capacity within the same form factor, resulting in a grand total capacity of 4,800mAh.
The Xiaomi MIX Fold 3 harnesses the power of the Xiaomi Surge battery management system, which comprises dual Xiaomi G1 Surge battery management chipsets, subsequently elevating battery utilization efficiency. With the incorporation of the Xiaomi Surge P2 charging chip, the device supports 67W wired turbocharging, enabling a rapid full charge in as little as 40 minutes. A rarity among slim and lightweight foldable smartphones, the device also offers 50W wireless turbocharging. The Xiaomi Surge battery management system seamlessly ushers in an era of more intelligent charging and discharging control, effectively safeguarding battery health and ensuring optimal safety.
The 6.56″ outer display and 8.025″ inner display of the Xiaomi MIX Fold 3 are both crafted from the latest E6 material, designed to optimize power efficiency control. The inner display is further fortified by advanced Pol-less Plus display technology, seamlessly coupled with a low-power Panel design and an upgraded Display Driver IC (DDIC). This collective innovation yields exceptional power management, translating into an impressive 52% extension in battery life on the expansive display. According to insights gleaned from Xiaomi Internal Labs, the Xiaomi MIX Fold 3 delivers an exceptional DOU (Daily Usage of Display) of up to 1.34 days, whether reliant on the inner or outer display. This monumental achievement not only signifies a significant stride for Xiaomi in the realm of foldable smartphone battery longevity but also allays battery-related concerns among smartphone users, ushering in a new era of reassurance and peace of mind.
Slim, lightweight, and a true flagship: Comprehensive hardware upgrades merge with impeccable details
The Xiaomi MIX Fold 3 stands fortified with Qualcomm’s latest pinnacle Snapdragon® 8 Gen 2 Leading Version chipset, amplifying performance to surpass its predecessor, the Snapdragon® 8 Gen 2. To ensure an unrivaled surge in operational prowess, the Xiaomi MIX Fold 3 boasts a meticulously crafted cooling system, spanning a vast area of 10,943mm. Nestled within the slim and lightweight frame, an ultra-thin stainless-steel VC component serves as an additional conduit for augmenting heat dissipation capacity.
Concurrently, the MIUI Fold operating system has undergone substantial enhancements tailored for seamless large display engagement, unveiling a plethora of innovative features that leverage the folding screen’s potential. These include immersive video conferencing and Hover mode viewing, as well as the convenience of floating windows and split-screen functionality. These dynamic functionalities artfully cater to the burgeoning demand for expansive displays, subsequently harmonizing with users’ evolving requirements.
Delving into the minutiae, the Xiaomi MIX Fold 3 has undergone meticulous refinements across multiple aspects. These encompass a state-of-the-art 3-microphone array, symmetrical dual speakers, and an elegantly brushed metal frame, collectively endowing users with an all-encompassing flagship experience that envelops all sensory faculties.
Comprehensively elevating the industry benchmarks, the Xiaomi MIX Fold 3 delivers an unparalleled foldable flagship smartphone encounter that transcends expectations. In its entirety, the unveiling of this remarkable device propels Xiaomi’s technological strides in the realm of foldable smartphones to unparalleled heights, encapsulating the brand’s ongoing legacy of innovation and ingenuity.
Pricing and availability
Xiaomi MIX Fold 3 will be available in three colors: Gold, Black, and Xiaomi composite fiber, as well as three storage variants:
12GB+256GB – Priced from RMB 8,999
16GB+512GB – Priced from RMB 9,999
16GB+1TB – Priced from RMB 10,999
Also launched alongside Xiaomi MIX Fold 3 is Xiaomi Smart Band 8 Pro, which will be available for sale starting from RMB 399 via Xiaomi’s official channels.
Xiaomi launches CyberDog 2
Revealed in tandem with the event was the awe-inspiring emergence of the second iteration of the bio-inspired quadruped robot, CyberDog 2, distinguished by heightened intelligence and an even more lifelike presence. Weighing a mere 8.9kg, akin to the dimensions of a Doberman, it boasts a more compact form compared to its predecessor. Equipped with Xiaomi’s proprietary CyberGear Micro-actuator, this innovation augments the robot’s mobility, propelling it to execute intricate maneuvers such as continuous backflips and seamless fall recovery. The actuator also engenders heightened precision and robustness, enabling it to endure continuous tactile interaction. Notably, CyberDog 2 integrates a fusion sensing and decision-making system, encompassing an array of 19 sensors dedicated to vision, touch, and hearing.
Furthermore, a paramount aspect of CyberDog 2’s design is its commitment to open-source principles. This pertains to coding, structural blueprints, graphical programming interfaces, and the modular configuration of diverse sensing capabilities. Through its unwavering dedication to fostering an open-source ecosystem, the CyberDog lineage extends an invitation to a burgeoning community of developers, catalyzing their engagement and consequently propelling the advancement of bio-inspired robots. This collective endeavor stands poised to fundamentally enrich people’s lives in the times to come.
