Xiaomi is preparing to return to the large foldable smartphone market next year, according to a new leak from Digital Chat Station. The company is developing a next-generation horizontal foldable under the Mix Fold series, expected to feature significant upgrades and a revised aspect ratio. The device is currently being tested with a Snapdragon chipset, though the specific model number has not been confirmed.
This new report aligns with an earlier leak from tipster Smart Pikachu, who also claimed that Xiaomi would revive its Mix Fold lineup in 2026. Smart Pikachu indicated that the upcoming foldable would offer major improvements over its predecessor and would likely adopt a different screen ratio.
Xiaomi did not release a large foldable in 2025. The most recent model in this category remains the Mix Fold 4, which launched in 2024 with a 6.56-inch outer display and a 7.98-inch foldable inner display. It featured the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, a 5100mAh battery, and supported 67W wired and 50W wireless charging. Despite its flagship-level specifications, the Mix Fold 4 struggled with software optimization and user experience, especially in multitasking and large-screen adaptation. This impacted its reception in the highly competitive foldable market.
The upcoming model is expected to address these shortcomings with both hardware and software improvements. The device may adopt a new aspect ratio for better usability in work and media scenarios, alongside improvements to the hinge and crease visibility, both of which are now essential metrics in the foldable category.
Separately, Xiaomi is working on a tri-foldable device under the codename “zhuque.” This model is expected to debut in the first quarter of 2026, but it remains unclear whether it will replace the Mix Fold series or launch alongside it.
While Xiaomi paused its large foldable roadmap, its clamshell Mix Flip series performed well. Xiaomi recently launched the Mix Flip 2, which features a refined external display and a nearly invisible crease on the inner screen.
With Apple preparing to release its first foldable iPhone in 2026 and other Android brands like Huawei, Oppo, and vivo accelerating their efforts, Xiaomi’s return to the large foldable space comes at a critical time.
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