Xiaomi has today announced a quartet of products for release, including a concept phone, the Mi MIX Alpha with a ‘Surround Screen’ with 180.6% display-to-body ratio.
Taking place in Beijing, the global tech company introduced the Mi 9 Pro 5G, the MIUI 11, and the Mi Full Screen TV Pro at the National Convention Centre.
Beginning with the show-stealer, the foldable-phone challenging prototype features an innovative wrap-around screen that covers nearly the entire body of the phone other than the top and bottom, as well as the rear cameras.
Priced at RMB 19,999, the phone will begin production at the end of December, however, it is unlikely to be made available in Australia.
Xiamoi began designing the phone in 2016, pioneering a display that goes beyond the standard 16:9 aspect ratio.
To achieve the high curvature of the wrap-around design, the internal assembly process requires each layer to be laminated one-by-one.
Adding to the groundbreaking technology is the first 108MP camera with the largest sensor found in any smartphone ever.
There are two other cameras to go alongside – a 20MP ultra-wide-angle camera to pair with it which supports macro photography and a 12MP telephoto camera.
One standard feature that isn’t included is the front-facing camera.
Thanks to the all-screen “surround display” the rear display eliminates the need for a ‘selfie-camera’.
“The mission of Mi MIX concept smartphone is to make a truly disruptive product without considering the costs and return, and without considering mass production,” said Xiaomi in a press release, confirming a small-scale production for the phone.
Buttons are also missing from the device due to the “surround display”, replaced by pressure-sensitive and haptic feedback gestures to simulate real buttons.
Even the fingerprint sensor has been hidden under the 180.6% display.
Moving on to second release Mi 9 Pro 5G which features a 7-antenna design that allows the phone to receive optimal reception no matter how the device is held.
Pricing starts at RMB 3,699 for the base model to RMB 4,299 for the top model, though no word yet on Australian availability or pricing.
Xiaomi claims the Mi 9 Pro can receive download speeds of up to 2.02Gbs (lab testing), with field results showing 1.78Gbs.
Powering the Mi 9 Pro is the same flagship Qualcomm Snapdragon 855+ processor as the MIX Alpha producing clocks speeds between 2.84GHz and 2.96GHz, plus a 15% graphical increase.
The device touts up to 12GB memory and can hold up to 512GB of storage, depending on which model you select.
Taking fast charging to the next level, Xiamoi has introduced 40W fast wired charging, completing a full charge in just 48 minutes (also featured in the Mi MIX Alpha).
The Mi 9 Pro features an AI triple camera setup consisting of a 48MP primary camera, 16MP ultra-wide and 12MP telephoto lens.
Much like the Mi Mix Alpha, the Mi 9 Pro brings some new screen technology with the AMOLED FHD+ Dot Drop Display.
The pro-level colour display automatically detects colour management information on the phone to fine-tune and calibrate colour reproduction.
Continuing on display technology, Xiaomi announced the new Mi Full Screen TV Pro featuring a 4K display with support for 8K video playback (in 4K output).
Pre-orders for the 43″, 55″ and 65″ start on 24 September, priced at RMB 1,499, RMB 2,399 and RMB 3,399, respectively.
There is no word yet on availability or pricing in Australia.
