A Chinese tech giant seems to be changing course regarding its plans for foldable devices. A recent leak, supported by internal firmware tracking, suggests that Xiaomi has officially canceled its small clamshell foldable line, pulling the plug on the anticipated MIX Flip 3. The company is reportedly pivoting its resources elsewhere.
The foldable Xiaomi MIX Flip 3 reportedly canceled
The cancellation of the MIX Flip 3—internally known by the codename “pixiu”—comes as a surprise to many. The phone was reportedly nearing its final release window and was engineered to be a compact powerhouse (via XiaomiTime). More specifically, the handset was going to boast the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip.
This isn’t the first time Xiaomi has made a late-stage adjustment to its portfolio. The previous large foldable, the MIX Fold 5 (codename “nirvana”), met a similar fate. Xiaomi announced it just before its scheduled launch last year. While Xiaomi has not released an official statement, these shifts likely stem from rethought priorities in an increasingly crowded clamshell market.
The big-screen Xiaomi 18 Fold is the priority now
Instead of small flips, Xiaomi is focusing its energy on reviving its large-screen foldable series. The company could be working on a new device under the name Xiaomi 18 Fold (codename “lhasa”). This handset could launch in the fourth quarter of this year. According to reports, the 18 Fold will be powered by Xiaomi’s own advanced XRING O3 chip.
If you were hoping to get your hands on these new foldables outside of China, you might be out of luck. Historically, Xiaomi’s foldable lineup has remained heavily localized. The current MIX Flip 2, which launched in June 2025 for approximately $878 USD, was a China-exclusive. Similarly, the 2024 MIX Fold 4 remained in the company’s domestic market. Sources suggest that the upcoming Xiaomi 18 Fold will continue this trend.
The post Xiaomi Cancels MIX Flip 3: Shifting Focus to the New Xiaomi 18 Fold appeared first on Android Headlines.
