Xiaomi Mix Fold 3 Review: From Fan to Critic and Back After 14 Days of Use

As the title suggests, I’ll break down the pros and cons into three stages based purely on personal experience with Mixflip—no technical parameters here, just real-life insights.

**Stage One: Love at First Sight**
From the moment I started using it, I was completely hooked. Let’s start with the outer screen—it’s incredibly convenient for everyday tasks. A lot of people argue that small foldable phones are pointless, suggesting you should just buy a smaller regular phone. But here’s the thing: there simply aren’t many good options in the market for compact smartphones.

Why ignore the undeniable advantage of a small form factor? In my daily life, I use the outer screen all the time—for payments, scanning codes, checking navigation, or even swiping my bus card. It feels so lightweight and effortless.

And contrary to what some say about watching videos on a small screen being unnecessary, I find it surprisingly practical. Before bed, I often scroll through short clips on the outer screen, which has lower brightness and makes it easier to drift off to sleep. When I’m commuting by subway, I plug in my headphones and casually browse videos on the small screen. Plus, during rush hours, I can easily attach the phone to my wrist with a strap, making it super portable and secure.

The camera quality is another standout feature. I don’t compare it to Apple products (due to work restrictions), but compared to Huawei, this phone is leaps and bounds better. Honestly, Huawei had almost driven me away from taking photos altogether because its selfie camera felt like something out of an old-school flip phone. This one? Stunningly sharp and vibrant.

**Stage Two: The Dark Side Begins**
About a week after starting to use the phone, disaster struck. I left the device open in my bag, and when I pulled it out, it had leaked liquid—a common issue apparently, according to the salesperson. It was frustrating because the phone was so fragile, and bumps and scratches are inevitable in daily life.

Thankfully, the outer screen still worked, allowing me to continue sending messages, making calls, hailing rides, and more until I returned to Beijing. Ironically, this situation highlighted just how useful the outer screen really is.

**Stage Three: Redemption Through Customer Service**
After the mishap, I immediately turned to social media platforms like Weibo and Xiaohongshu to see others’ experiences. Most posts claimed that screen damage wasn’t covered under warranty or screen protection plans, leaving me feeling utterly disheartened.

However, things took a turn for the better when I visited the store. The technician informed me that since I had purchased the phone during the pre-sale period, it came with a free screen protection plan. He assured me he’d first try to process it under warranty, and if not, fall back on the protection plan as a safety net.

Sure enough, my phone would be repaired—or even replaced—for free.

On August 1st, I dropped off the phone at the store. By August 2nd, I received a notification from their staff saying they could replace my phone entirely! They provided an address where I could send back the charging cable. I scheduled a courier pickup for August 3rd, and by the morning of the same day, the technician retrieved the charger and handed me a package containing… my brand-new phone!

The speed was astonishing, and I couldn’t help but admire their efficiency. While I lost some travel photos taken during my trip, aside from that, the entire process cost me nothing. Not only did I get a replacement, but I also retained the remaining coverage of my screen protection plan. Everything went smoother than expected.

**Final Thoughts**
Overall, this small foldable phone suits me perfectly. After years of struggling with oversized devices that never fit comfortably in my pocket, this one checks all the right boxes. Whether it’s scanning public transport passes, unlocking doors, paying via QR codes, navigating routes, or snapping quick photos, this phone handles everything seamlessly.

Of course, the fragility is a downside, but careful handling mitigates the risk. As for other issues mentioned online, such as occasional heating, well, every smartphone I’ve ever owned heats up—it’s never been unbearable for me.

I’ve recommended this phone to several friends who share similar needs, and so far, they’ve been impressed too. If you’re looking for a compact, efficient solution for your everyday tech needs, this might just be the perfect fit.