Xiaomi MIX Fold 2 Review: A Thin, Powerful, and Feature-Rich Foldable Phone

The Xiaomi MIX Fold 2 is a game-changer in the world of foldable phones. It boasts an ultra-thin design, measuring just 5.4mm when folded, making it one of the thinnest foldable phones on the market.

This phone is not just about looks, it's also incredibly powerful. With a massive 12.22-inch screen, it's perfect for watching movies, browsing the web, or getting work done on the go. It's powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chip, providing lightning-fast performance and seamless multitasking.

The MIX Fold 2 also features a large 8.01-inch cover screen, which is perfect for checking notifications, responding to messages, or taking selfies. It's a great way to stay connected without having to unfold the entire phone.

With up to 12GB of RAM and 512GB of storage, you'll have plenty of space to store all your apps, photos, and files.

The Xiaomi MIX Fold 2 is a marvel of engineering, with a thickness of just 5.4mm when opened and 11.2mm when folded. This makes it the thinnest foldable smartphone on the market today.

The phone's frame is made of aluminum, while the back and cover screen are protected by Corning Gorilla Glass Victus. This provides a premium feel and excellent durability.

One of the standout features of the MIX Fold 2 is its ability to fold flat, unlike some other foldable phones that take a slightly diagonal route. This makes it much more ergonomic to hold in your hand.

The phone is available in four colors: Moon Shadow Black, Star Gold, Night Black, and Moonlight Silver. Each color option has a unique finish, with matte coating at the back that's very nice to the touch.

The MIX Fold 2 has a 6.56-inch 21:9 aspect ratio external screen, which allows you to have a "normal" smartphone when you hold it in your hand. This is a big plus for those who want a more traditional phone experience.

However, there are some drawbacks to consider. The phone lacks any IP rating for water resistance, which is a major concern given its premium price tag. Additionally, the fingerprint sensor at the edge can be a bit unresponsive.

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The display on the Xiaomi MIX Fold 2 is a highlight of the device, offering two high-quality screens that work together seamlessly.

The main screen is an 8-inch LTPO 2.0 OLED panel with a resolution of 1914 x 2160 pixels and a refresh rate of 120 Hz. It's covered by ultra-thin glass and has a maximum brightness of 1,000 nits in HBM mode and 1,300 nits at peak.

The screen is very bright and the colorimetry is very well-calibrated, especially when switching to Advanced and P3 modes. However, the crease in the middle of the screen remains visible, similar to other foldable devices.

The external screen is a 6.56-inch AMOLED panel with a resolution of 1080 x 2520 pixels and a refresh rate of 120 Hz. It's designed to be used as a regular smartphone screen, with a 21:9 aspect ratio that feels more like a Sony smartphone than a traditional foldable device.

The display response times are very fast, making it well-suited for fast-paced gaming. In fact, the screen shows response times that are better than the average of all tested devices.

Here's a comparison of the Xiaomi MIX Fold 2's display with other foldable devices:

The Xiaomi MIX Fold 2's display is a major improvement over its predecessor, but it's not without its flaws. The crease in the middle of the screen is still visible, and the hinge is less rigid than some other devices.

The Xiaomi MIX Fold 2 has a battery with a capacity of 4500 mAh.

This battery supports 67-watt fast charging, which can charge the phone from 0 to 100% in around 40 minutes.

A 67-watt charger is included in the box, making it easy to get started.

The MIX Fold 2's battery life is decent, lasting an entire day with average screen time of 5 hours.

However, it's not exceptional, and you may need to recharge it in the evening to avoid running out of juice the next day.

In our practical Wi-Fi test, the MIX Fold 2 managed a respectable 9 hours and 27 minutes of battery life with an adaptive display brightness of 150 cd/m².

Here's a comparison of the MIX Fold 2's battery life with other foldable smartphones:

Overall, the MIX Fold 2's battery life is adequate for a smartphone with a processor and two screens, but it's not exceptional.

The Xiaomi Mix Fold 2 features a triple camera system in cooperation with Leica, which is a notable collaboration in the mobile photography space.

The Mix Fold 2 has a front camera with a resolution of 20 MPix, capable of recording videos at 1080p up to 60 FPS.

Selfies taken with the front camera are described as average, with poor contrast.

The main display doesn't have a built-in camera, but you can use the external panel as a viewfinder to take selfies with the main camera.

Portrait mode delivers different results from the dedicated front camera, but Xiaomi exaggerates the contrast somewhat.

The Leica cooperation is evident in the two photo modes: "Leica Vibrant" and "Leica Authentic", with the former being the preset mode.

Using the "Authentic" mode can produce more brilliant images, but the image sharpening appears more extreme.

The additional wide-angle sensor struggles with dynamics and has a visible blue tint.

Zooming capabilities don't quite live up to expectations, especially considering the price bracket.

The Xiaomi Mix Fold 2 is a powerhouse of a device, with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 SoC that provides very stable performance. It's more powerful than the Galaxy Z Fold 4 and doesn't have any overheating issues.

In terms of raw power, the Xiaomi Mix Fold 2 outperforms the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4, and it can run all games in the Play Store at least at 60 FPS constant with graphics pushed to the max. The device never felt the slightest slowdown or overheating.

The Xiaomi Mix Fold 2 runs on a special version of MIUI called MIUI Fold, which is well thought out and has an easy-to-activate multi-tasking system. However, some first-party Xiaomi apps are optimized for the tablet screen, but many third-party apps are not.

To get the China version of MIUI running like an international Android phone, it takes around 20-30 minutes to replace Chinese apps with Google apps and receive timely notifications. This is because the phone has aggressive battery management, but you can fix this by turning off battery optimization for apps you want to receive notifications from.

Here's a comparison of the Xiaomi Mix Fold 2 and other devices in terms of performance:

The Xiaomi Mix Fold 2's performance is truly impressive. It features Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 SoC, coupled with 12 GB of RAM and up to 1 TB of UFS 3.1 storage, which results in very stable performance.

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The phone's raw power outperforms the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4, which is also equipped with the same SoC. In fact, the Xiaomi Mix Fold 2 can run all games in the Play Store at least at 60 FPS constant with graphics pushed to the max.

In terms of benchmark scores, the Xiaomi Mix Fold 2 achieves a staggering 1307 in Geekbench 5's single-core test and 4119 in the multi-core test. In contrast, the Galaxy Z Fold 4 scores 1332 in the single-core test and 3947 in the multi-core test.

Here's a comparison of the Xiaomi Mix Fold 2 and its competitors in various benchmark tests:

The phone's performance is also extremely stable, with a 93.2% stability rate in 3DMark's Wild Life Stress Test benchmark. This means the phone maintains its performance level throughout the test, without any major framerate loss.

The Xiaomi Mix Fold 2 runs on MIUI 13.1, which is based on Android 12. Google Framework and related services are preinstalled, except for the Play Store, which requires side loading.

MIUI 13.1 has its own set of system languages, including simplified Chinese, traditional Chinese, Tibetan, Uyghur, and English. This limits the availability of certain apps, but most can be uninstalled.

The phone also comes with a lot of Chinese region apps preinstalled, but these can be removed. For those who plan to import the phone, be aware that it may take around 20-30 minutes to get the China version of MIUI running smoothly, including installing Google apps and disabling battery optimization for timely notifications.

The MIUI Fold software is well thought out, with an easy-to-activate multi-tasking system that allows quick ways to launch apps in small floating window mode. However, some first-party Xiaomi apps are not optimized for the tablet screen, and many third-party apps are not either.

Here's a breakdown of the MIUI 13.1 features:

The Xiaomi Mix Fold 2 supports Wi-Fi 6 and can connect to both 2.4 and 5.0 GHz networks.

Its Wi-Fi range is good, and transfer rates were decent and stable with our Asus ROG Rapture GT-AXE11000 reference router.

One thing to note is that the Mix Fold 2 does not support 6 GHz Wi-Fi, unlike some other devices.

A bike tour with the Mix Fold 2 showed that it can hold its own against other devices, including the Garmin Venu 2, with only a 50 meter deviation during a 10 km trip.

Here are some key specs related to Wi-Fi and GNSS:

The Mix Fold 2 also supports Wi-Fi calls, VoLTE, and call recording, making it a convenient device for staying connected.

The Xiaomi MIX Fold 2 has some nifty features that make it a great device. One of them is the presence of a USB 2.0 port, which allows you to connect peripheral devices and storage media.

The phone also comes with an IR blaster, which is integrated into the frame. This means you can use it to control your home entertainment system, air conditioning, and cameras.

The MIX Fold 2 is also capable of supporting OTG, which means you can connect all sorts of devices to it.

As for updates, the phone has received security patches up to September 1, 2022, but it's not clear how long updates will be supported by Xiaomi.

Here's a comparison of the MIX Fold 2's performance with other devices in the WebXPRT 4 benchmark:

The Xiaomi MIX Fold 2 handles temperature well, even under load. However, stress tests presented a mixed picture.

During the 3DMark Wild Life Extreme stress test, the system remained stable, running at a full frame rate. This test was completed without any issues, but the normal stress test was aborted to prevent overheating.

The maximum surface temperature reached during the 3DMark Wild Life Extreme stress test was 33.6°C, while the average temperature was 31.8°C.

Here's a comparison of the Xiaomi MIX Fold 2's power consumption with other devices:

The Xiaomi MIX Fold 2's battery can be fully recharged within 45 minutes using the supplied 67 watt charger.

The Xiaomi Mix Fold 2's surface temperatures hold up well even under load, but our stress tests presented a mixed picture.

During the 3DMark Wild Life Extreme stress test, the system remained stable, running at a full frame rate. This is impressive.

However, the normal stress test was aborted to protect the system from overheating. This suggests that the device may not be able to handle all types of stress.

The maximum surface temperature during the 3DMark Wild Life Extreme stress test was 33.6 °C, which is equivalent to 92 F. This is relatively high.

The average surface temperature during this test was 31.8 °C, or 89 F. This is still within a relatively safe range.

In contrast, the normal stress test reached a maximum surface temperature of 27.4 °C, or 81 F. The average surface temperature during this test was 27.1 °C, or 81 F.

Here's a summary of the surface temperatures during the two stress tests:

Power consumption is a crucial aspect of any device's performance and battery life. The Xiaomi Mix Fold 2 has a low power consumption, especially during idle usage.

The supplied 67 watt charger can fully recharge the 4500 mAh battery within 45 minutes, which is impressive. However, wireless charging is not supported.

The power consumption of the Xiaomi Mix Fold 2 is compared to the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 5G and the average Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 in the table below.

Idle power consumption is also an important factor to consider. The Xiaomi Mix Fold 2 has an idle minimum power consumption of 0.97 watts, which is relatively low.

In comparison, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 5G has an idle minimum power consumption of 0.89 watts, which is an 8% reduction. The average Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 has an idle minimum power consumption of 1.006 watts, which is a -4% reduction compared to the average of class smartphone.

Here's a summary of the idle power consumption for each device:

The load power consumption is also an important factor to consider. The Xiaomi Mix Fold 2 has a load average power consumption of 3.98 watts, which is relatively low.

In comparison, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 5G has a load average power consumption of 4.32 watts, which is a -9% reduction. The average Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 has a load average power consumption of 5.68 watts, which is a -43% reduction compared to the average of class smartphone.

Here's a summary of the load power consumption for each device:

The Xiaomi MIX Fold 2 is a powerhouse of a device, and it's now available for purchase. It's priced at $1,599 for the base model with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage.

You can get your hands on the Xiaomi MIX Fold 2 from Xiaomi's official website, as well as from other online retailers like Amazon and JD.com. It's also available in select stores in China.

The Xiaomi Mix Fold 2 is the slimmest foldable smartphone around, beating out its competitors in terms of design.

It's only marginally thicker than a traditional smartphone in a case, making it a great option for those who want a sleek device.

Xiaomi has managed to pack a lot of power into this slim design, with excellent everyday performance.

However, the stress test results give us cause for concern regarding its ability to cope with warm summer temperatures.

The Mix Fold 2 offers plenty of storage space, with variants available ranging from 256 GB to 1024 GB.

For that kind of money, we'd expect a better camera, but unfortunately, the additional lens's image processing leaves a lot to be desired.

At the time of our review, prices start at 1500 euros, which is a significant investment for a smartphone.

Other foldable smartphones like the Vivo X Fold and Oppo Find N are also available, but they're only available as imports.

The Xiaomi Mix Fold 2 is available directly and in all storage variants via our sales partner TradingShenzhen.

You can purchase the Xiaomi Mix Fold 2 from TradingShenzhen, a reliable sales partner of Xiaomi.

The Xiaomi MIX Fold 2 is a powerhouse of a device. It's equipped with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 SoC, which provides lightning-fast performance.

The phone comes in three storage options: 256 GB, 512 GB, and 1 TB. You can choose the one that suits your needs best.

The display is one of the standout features of this phone. When folded, it measures 6.56 inches, and when unfolded, it expands to an impressive 8.02 inches. The screen is an AMOLED panel, offering a 120 Hz refresh rate and a peak brightness of 1300 nits.

The phone has a large 4500 mAh battery, which should last you throughout the day. It also supports fast wired charging at 67 W.

Here are the key specifications of the Xiaomi MIX Fold 2:

The phone also features a quad-camera setup on the rear, including a 50 MP primary sensor, a 13 MP ultra-wide-angle lens, and an 8 MP telephoto lens. On the front, you get a 20 MP selfie camera.

The Xiaomi MIX Fold 2 has some serious competition in the foldable phone market. The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 5G, for example, has a slightly higher rating of 89.8% compared to the MIX Fold 2's 86.3%.

In terms of weight, the MIX Fold 2 tips the scales at 262g, which is comparable to the Galaxy Z Fold4 5G at 263g. However, the Huawei Mate Xs 2 is slightly lighter at 255g.

If you're looking for a phone with a large screen, the MIX Fold 2 offers an 8.02" display, while the Galaxy Z Fold4 5G has a slightly smaller 7.60" screen.

Here's a comparison of some key specs between the MIX Fold 2 and its competitors:

The MIX Fold 2 also holds its own in terms of performance, with a 3DMark Wild Life Unlimited Score of 11022 points. However, the Galaxy Z Fold4 5G has a slightly higher score of 11098 points, and the Huawei Mate Xs 2 lags behind with a score of 5666 points.