Xiaomi Mi Mix 3 announced: Slider design, four cameras, no notch for under $500

We’ve seen numerous pictures showcasing the Xiaomi Mi Mix 3, but is it more than just a slider phone? The Chinese brand has answered our questions today with the official launch of the new flagship.

You’re not going to find a camera notch here, as the slider design allows the ceramic-clad Mi Mix 3 to maintain a high screen/body ratio. In fact, Xiaomi claims a 93.4 percent screen/body ratio for its 6.39-inch AMOLED screen (2,340 x 1,080, 19.5:9 screen ratio).

The company is also allowing users to choose one of several sounds when opening the slider, such as swords clashing. Hopefully, it doesn’t get too annoying after the first few times. Additionally, Xiaomi says users can customize the slider to activate different functions, serving as a shortcut key of sorts.

Pop the slider out and you’ll find a 24MP+2MP dual-camera pairing. This means you’ve got high-resolution daytime snaps, pixel-binned night-time shots, and the ability to create those ever-popular portrait shots.

Switch to the main cameras and you’ve got a 12MP+12MP telephoto pairing. The primary shooter is an f/1.8 camera with 1.4 micron pixels, while the telephoto camera has a smaller f/2.4 aperture and 1.0 micron pixels.

The Mi Mix 3 has also achieved a score of 103 on DxOMark, hitting 108 for photos and 93 for videos, according to the Chinese brand. This is the same overall score as the Galaxy Note 9 and HTC U12 Plus, but below the iPhone XS Max and HUAWEI P20 Pro.

Xiaomi has also touted the new phone’s steady handheld night photography mode, using multi-frame noise reduction and other image stacking technologies to produce better results. In fact, the company compared the new phone to the P20 Pro, as seen above.

The company has joined the 960fps slow-mo video party as well, but it’s unclear if this is proper 960fps video or if it’s software-enhanced. Then again, the IMX363 sensor used in the 12MP main camera reportedly lacks the embedded DRAM necessary for true super slow-motion…

As for core specifications, you’ll be getting a Snapdragon 845 chipset (no surprise here), up to 10GB of RAM, 128GB or 256GB of storage, and a 3,200mAh battery with Quick Charge 4+. Other noteworthy specs include 10 watt wireless charging, dual frequency GPS, Bluetooth 5.0, NFC, USB Type-C (no headphone jack here), and a rear fingerprint scanner.

Xiaomi is also jumping on the Android Pie bandwagon, as the Mi Mix 3 ships with MIUI 10 atop Google’s latest update.

The Mi Mix 3 will be available in Onyx Black, Jade Green, and Sapphire Blue. Prices start at 3,299 yuan (~$475) for the 6GB+128GB model, 3,599 yuan (~$518) for the 8GB/128GB variant, and 3,999 yuan (~$576) for the 8GB/256GB model. All models will also include a 10 watt wireless charging pad.

The firm is also selling a Forbidden City Special Edition model, seen above, with 10GB of RAM and 256GB of storage for 4,999 yuan (~$720). This model also seems to offer 10GB of monthly data for three years, which would be a pretty handy addition.

Hoping to get your hands on a 5G variant soon? Well, you’ll be disappointed. But the company did however confirm that it would be launching a 5G model in Q1 2019.

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