Let’s start with a little rant. Xiaomi, a behemoth in the tech world, boasts an annual R&D budget of billions, yet when it comes to flagship phone configurations, they always seem to hold back—like they’re squeezing out features bit by bit instead of giving us the full package upfront. It’s only when sales don’t meet expectations that they rethink their approach.
Case in point: the so-called “flagships” like the Xiaomi 11 and 12, or even the Mix Fold 2, which was a prime example of this trend. Honestly, the Fold 3 feels more like what the Fold 2 should have been from the start. During the launch event, Lei Jun himself couldn’t help but poke fun at how much flak the Fold 2 received for lacking wireless charging.
I’ve been using the Vivo X Fold 2 for just a few months, and I’ve been pretty satisfied—it had no glaring issues until fate intervened. A few days ago, I accidentally dropped my phone on concrete after someone bumped into me on the street, leaving a noticeable chip on the corner. That got me thinking about upgrading, especially since the Mix Fold 3 seemed to offer some compelling improvements over the X Fold 2.
For one, it’s noticeably lighter and thinner. Plus, it brings back the telephoto lens that was missing on the X Fold 2, along with Leica’s imaging enhancements. The price was reasonable, and I managed to snag one during the first batch release.
After using the Mix Fold 3 for a few days, I’ve noticed a few things compared to the X Fold 2. While both phones pack the high-performance Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, the system smoothness on the Mix Fold 3 doesn’t quite match up to the Vivo, which is par for the course with MIUI. Additionally, the side-mounted fingerprint sensor feels clunky and far less convenient than the under-display option.
Speaking of under-display sensors, it’s frustrating that, among all the foldable phones released over the years, only Vivo has adopted ultrasonic under-display fingerprint technology. Is it a patent issue? If not, could it be cost-related? But come on, these are premium devices costing thousands—how much extra would it really add?
And if thickness is the concern, how did Vivo manage to fit two ultrasonic sensors without making the phone bulky?
It’s clear that while foldable phones have come a long way, there’s still room for manufacturers to step up their game.
Sebastian Boyd 
Dorothy Fernandez 
Amy Miles
I totally get what you’re saying about Xiaomi holding back on features. It’s frustrating when companies seem to nickel-and-dime their flagships instead of delivering a complete product from the start. That said, the Mix Fold 3 does sound promising with its rumored improvements—especially the camera setup. I hope they finally nail the balance between specs and price this time around.
I totally get what you mean about Xiaomi holding back on features. It’s frustrating when companies seem to only improve after poor sales. The Mix Fold 3 sounds promising with its new upgrades, but I hope they keep innovating without waiting for pressure. Foldable phones are still finding their footing, so it’s good to see these incremental improvements.