Xiaomi might launch its first tri-fold phone next year

Xiaomi is set to shake up the foldable phone market with its upcoming tri-fold smartphone.

It’s expected to be Xiaomi’s first tri-fold design, joining an increasingly competitive foldable phone market that includes brands like Samsung, Huawei, and others.

Below is a detailed breakdown of what we currently know, including its expected release date, price, and specifications.

When will Xiaomi’s tri-fold phone be released?

According to SmartPrix, Xiaomi’s first tri-fold phone, codenamed ‘Zhuque’, is expected to debut in early 2025, with a more refined tri-fold model possibly arriving in 2026.

Rumours suggest that Xiaomi may showcase a prototype at Mobile World Congress (MWC) in February 2025, but it’s likely the actual release will happen later in the year.

As for the follow-up model, speculation points to a Q1 2026 release. The model number “26013VP46C” indicates a January 2026 timeline for the launch of this second tri-fold phone.

However, both devices will reportedly remain exclusive to the Chinese market, at least at first.

How much will Xiaomi’s tri-fold phone cost?

While there’s no official pricing information for Xiaomi’s tri-fold phone yet, we can estimate based on the cost of similar foldable devices.

The best foldable phones like the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Huawei Mate XT Ultimate generally retail for upwards of £1,799/$1,899 to £2,135/$2,820.

Given the cutting-edge tri-fold technology, Xiaomi’s ‘Zhuque’ phone could start in the £2,000/$2,000 range or higher, making it one of Xiaomi’s most expensive phones ever.

The exclusivity to the Chinese market could also affect the price globally, as importing the device would add additional costs for interested buyers outside China.

What features will Xiaomi’s tri-fold phone Have?

Design & Build

As reported by SmartPrix, Xiaomi’s tri-fold phone might sport a buttonless design, a bold move that could set it apart from other foldables. The device could then rely on gesture controls, pressure-sensitive edges, or voice commands for navigation.

The phone is also expected to fold in a manner similar to Huawei’s Mate XT Ultimate, with one large screen that can fold into thirds, leaving only part of the display visible when folded.

The device might be sleek but still require a chunky camera island due to its thin folding segments.

Display & Speakers

The tri-fold design will likely feature a large, uninterrupted screen when fully unfolded, providing a tablet-like experience. This will be Xiaomi’s first attempt at a tri-fold mechanism, and it may also include an under-display selfie camera for a seamless, all-screen appearance.

Details on the display’s resolution or speaker technology are not yet confirmed, but given Xiaomi’s history with premium displays, expect an OLED panel with high refresh rates and possibly advanced speaker technology integrated into the screen.

Performance

Under the hood, Xiaomi’s tri-fold phone is expected to be powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8+ Gen 4 or even the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 processor for the 2026 model. This cutting-edge chipset will likely be built on the next-generation Qryon cores, promising blazing-fast performance.

Paired with at least 12GB of RAM and up to 1TB of internal storage, this phone might be a powerhouse capable of handling multitasking, gaming, and heavy apps with ease.

Cameras

The phone is likely to feature a sophisticated camera setup, though it’s unclear how many lenses will be included.

Patent images suggest a smaller camera island compared to Huawei’s Mate XT Ultimate, but the camera’s performance could still be robust.

Expect multiple high-resolution lenses for standard, wide angle, and possibly telephoto shots, alongside cutting-edge software enhancements like AI-powered features and night mode.

Battery & Charging

Foldable phones typically require large batteries to power their expansive screens, and Xiaomi’s tri-fold phone should be no different.

Expect a battery capacity of at least 5000mAh, along with fast-charging capabilities, which could support up to 100W wired charging and 50W wireless charging.

Software

Xiaomi’s tri-fold phone will likely run on HyperOS, based on the latest version of Android available at the time. Given the phone’s unique form factor, expect Xiaomi to include custom software features designed for multi-tasking and utilising the phone’s foldable display.

However, SmartPrix highlights that previous experiences with Xiaomi’s concept devices, like the MIX Alpha, suggest that software updates could be limited, so this is something to keep an eye on if the phone is released as a limited-edition concept rather than a mass-market device.

This is all we currently know about Xiaomi’s expected tri-fold phone. In the meantime, see the best foldable phones it might face in the future.