Xiaomi Combine Fold 2 overview: The perfect Galaxy Z Fold 4 rival which you can’t purchase

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The Xiaomi Combine Fold 2 is the producer’s flagship foldable smartphone, however it’s accessible solely in China and launched earlier this 12 months in August. Principally, if you wish to personal one, you’ll have to undergo a 3rd celebration. Since availability is extraordinarily restricted, this doesn’t detract from the truth that the Combine Fold 2 gives critical competitors to Samsung by way of foldable smartphones. On this complete overview, we are going to let you know what the Xiaomi Combine Fold 2 is all about and whether or not it’s value importing one.

Good

Very good important and exterior screens
High efficiency and very steady
Excellent battery life
Environment friendly quick charging
Neat end with a reasonably stable hinge

Unhealthy

Digicam module efficiency is disappointing contemplating the worth
MIUI Fold 13 lacks maturity (and options)
Unimaginable to tilt the display at 90° (with out utilizing a particular case)
Loopy costly value

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The Xiaomi Combine Fold 2 in a nutshell
The Xiaomi Combine Fold 2 was launched in China on August 26 at a value of 8,999 yuan, or $1,300 excluding tax. As a rule of thumb, it should by no means make its method over to Europe formally, though for those who have been to hunt round some third-party distributors, they’ll convey it in at good-looking costs of wherever from $1,400 to $1,500. Editor’s notice: This Xiaomi Combine Fold 2 was loaned to us by Buying and selling Shenzhen, an importer of tech merchandise. This isn’t a sponsored article, and NextPit was not paid. Buying and selling Shenzhen had no affect on the content material or the ultimate score of the overview.In any case, it is a high-end foldable smartphone that might lastly compete with the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 (overview) if it was launched worldwide. Its main power could be its kind issue, which is meant to be the thinnest in the marketplace. As well as, the show, when absolutely opened, could be the biggest.
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The hinge mechanism of the Xiaomi Combine Fold 2 appears very stable. / © NextPit

Design

The Xiaomi Combine Fold 2 is outwardly the thinnest foldable smartphone in the marketplace. Xiaomi needed to emphasise this quite a bit. However this isn’t the principle benefit of this smartphone, for my part.
What I preferred:
Design may be very skinny certainly. Thinner than Samsung, the truth is!
The two panels are parallel if you fold the smartphone.
Gorilla Glass Victus on the again and on the outside display.
A “common” smartphone kind issue when folded.
What I disliked:
Unimaginable to fold the display at 90° with out utilizing a particular cowl.
The hinge doesn’t appear to be as strong as Samsung’s.
No IP score for water resistance.

The end of the Xiaomi Combine Fold 2 is superb. / © NextPit

The Xiaomi Combine Fold 2 is certainly the thinnest foldable smartphone in the marketplace at present. When unfolded, it measures 5.4 mm and when folded, it’s simply 11.2 mm thick. That is lower than the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 and its 6.3 mm measurement when unfolded and 15.8 mm when folded. There you go, Xiaomi has saved its promise. Nice!

Xiaomi continues its partnership with Leica on the Combine Fold 2. / © NextPit

Properly, it is true that it is good to have such a skinny kind issue (even when the Combine Fold 2 shouldn’t be a lot lighter than the Z Fold 4 by being only a gram lighter at 262 grams). That is very true for the reason that Xiaomi Combine Fold has two panels which can be parallel when folded. Principally, it folds flat not like its Samsung counterpart which takes a barely diagonal route, bringing out the OCD monster in me.

The fingerprint reader on the appropriate facet shouldn’t be essentially the most responsive that I examined. / © NextPit

For me, what’s positively extra attention-grabbing is the 6.56-inch 21:9 facet ratio exterior display. It means that you can have a “regular” smartphone if you maintain the Xiaomi Combine Fold 2 in your hand. It is way more ergonomic than the Z Fold 4’s exterior display which I discovered to be too slender.

When folded in half, the Xiaomi Combine Fold 2 has the shape issue of a somewhat traditional 6.56-inch smartphone. / © NextPit

Other than that, the end of the Xiaomi Combine Fold 2 is impeccable. The matte coating on the again may be very good and nice to the contact. The body is fabricated from aluminum, whereas the again and the duvet display are protected by Corning Gorilla Glass Victus. The one downside right here is the dearth of any IP score by any means to certify for water resistance within the smartphone. That is just too unhealthy for a tool that sells for $1,500 on the very least.There isn’t a microSD port both, however as soon as once more, that is sadly change into the norm on this value vary. I additionally discovered the fingerprint sensor on the edge to be somewhat unresponsive (the one positioned beneath the duvet display labored fairly nicely).

Display

The Xiaomi Combine Fold 2 gives two high quality screens, whether or not it is the principle display or the exterior display. However among the design selections, particularly for the hinge and selfie digicam, left me scratching.
What I preferred:
The very giant, absolutely opened display that measures 8 inches.
Thoroughly-calibrated colorimetry.
Foremost display with LTPO 2.0 expertise.
21:9 cowl display is usable as a daily smartphone.
What I disliked:
Crease in the course of the principle display stays seen.
No selfie digicam beneath the principle display.

The unfolded 8-inch display is a bit bigger than the one on the Galaxy Z Fold 4. / © NextPit

When unfolded, the principle display of the Xiaomi Combine Fold 2 measures 8.02 inches. It is an OLED panel with a decision of 1914 x 2160 pixels alongside a refresh fee of 120 Hz and a most brightness of 1,000 nits in HBM mode and 1,300 nits at peak.When folded, the duvet display measures 6.56 inches, providing an AMOLED panel with a decision of 1080 x 2520 pixels with a refresh fee of 120 Hz.

You possibly can’t take a selfie with the Xiaomi Combine Fold 2 when unfolded. / © NextPit

The principle show options LTPO 2.0 expertise, which lets you fluctuate the refresh fee extra precisely and thus preserve battery life. I discovered the display very vibrant and the colorimetry very nicely calibrated as soon as I switched to Superior and P3 modes.However, as with Samsung, you’ll be able to see and really feel the crease in the course of the display very clearly.

Do take notice that there isn’t a selfie digicam hidden beneath the principle display. So, you’ll be able to’t take selfies with the smartphone unfolded, besides through the use of the rear digicam module.As for the exterior display, it is a lot nicer to make use of than the one on the Z Fold 4. It incorporates a 21:9 format, so it appears like a traditional smartphone in your arms. Properly, extra like a Sony smartphone than anything, however that’s far superior to the 23.1:9 facet ratio discovered on the Galaxy Z Fold 4.

As with Samsung, the crease in the course of the display is seen always. / © NextPit

One final level of concern could be the hinge. It’s much less inflexible than the one discovered on the Galaxy Z Fold 4, however on the similar time, it appears rather less stable. And above all, it doesn’t enable one to tilt the display at completely different angles.To make use of the Xiaomi Combine Fold 2 in laptop computer mode, for instance, you need to use a particular case with a stand. In any other case, the smartphone unfolds 180° by itself. Despite the fact that the case is included within the field, I discovered this design alternative completely lame.

Interface

The Xiaomi Combine Fold 2 runs on
Android 12 with a particular model of
MIUI 13 often called MIUI Fold 13. I felt that Xiaomi might have gone additional, providing the equal of a
Samsung Flex mode, for instance.

You want a particular case with a stand (included within the field) to make use of the Xiaomi Combine Fold 2 in laptop computer mode, like with Samsung’s Flex mode. / © NextPit

My software program expertise shouldn’t be essentially the most convincing since I needed to play with a Chinese language ROM. Therefore, I cannot touch upon the general high quality of the person interface. That is particularly starker since it’s nearly equivalent to MIUI 13 which I’ve already talked about many occasions (see my MIUI 13 overview).I’ll simply give attention to one level: the “Fold” in MIUI Fold 13. I feel Xiaomi did not go far sufficient in adapting its interface to the foldable format.

The native purposes and system settings are nicely laid out, a bit like in One UI on the Galaxy Z Fold 4. We have now the important info and instructions on the left pane and the detailed info on the appropriate pane.

Native purposes have all been tailored to the foldable format of the Xiaomi Combine Fold 2. / © NextPit

It’s somewhat disappointing that Xiaomi would not supply continuity for apps if you change from unfolded to folded mode. Therefore, it’s important to undergo the difficulty of relaunching present apps if you fold/unfold the Combine Fold 2.Typically, not very logical UI design selections are chanced upon. While you unfold the notification pane, it occupies the whole unfolded display. However the Management Heart is displayed on the appropriate. Why solely use half of the display?

The MIUI Fold 13 interface with the Combine Fold 2 unfolded. / © NextPit

The association of the icons on the house display can also be a bit “foolish” on the Combine Fold 2. On the Fold 4, you’ll be able to have a distinct and impartial association on the principle display and the duvet display. This isn’t the case with the Xiaomi Combine Fold 2. This implies we find yourself with one of many two dwelling screens trying untidy at any time when we fold or unfold the smartphone.

The MIUI Fold 13 interface with the Combine Fold 2 folded. / © NextPit

Xiaomi Combine Fold 2 efficiency

The Xiaomi Combine Fold 2 options
Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 SoC coupled with 12 GB of RAM and as much as 1 TB of UFS 3.1 storage, and its efficiency is kind of steady.
What I preferred:
Very steady efficiency.
Extra highly effective than the Galaxy Z Fold 4.
No overheating points.
What I disliked:

The matte coating on the again of the Xiaomi Combine Fold 2 may be very good to look and contact at. / © NextPit

By way of uncooked energy, the Xiaomi Combine Fold 2 clearly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 which can also be geared up with the identical SoC. The Xiaomi Combine Fold 2 is, unsurprisingly, able to working all of the video games within the Play Retailer no less than at 60 FPS fixed with the graphics pushed to the max. Each day, I by no means felt the slightest slowdown or overheating.

 
Xiaomi Combine Fold 2
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4
Huawei Mate XS 2

3D Mark Wild Life
Too highly effective
8611
5793

3D Mark Wild Life Stress Take a look at
Finest loop: 10.618Worst loop: 9892
Finest loop: 10.332Worst loop: 5606
Finest loop: 5782Worst loop: 3267

Geekbench 5
Single: 1307Multi: 4119
Single: 1332Multi: 3947
Single: 840Multi: 2759

The efficiency of the Xiaomi Combine Fold 2 was excellent by way of stability. In 3DMark’s Wild Life Stress Take a look at benchmark, which lasted 20 minutes, the Xiaomi Combine Fold 2 achieved a stability fee of 93.2%. Therefore, it supplied nearly the identical degree of efficiency from the start to the top of the benchmark.The temperature at all times remained beneath 50°C with none main framerate loss. This implies the thermal throttling may be very refined on the Xiaomi Combine Fold 2. It’s at the moment the best-performing foldable smartphone in the marketplace.

The Xiaomi Combine Fold 2 is the best-performing foldable smartphone up to now. / © NextPit

Photograph high quality

The Xiaomi Combine Fold 2 incorporates a triple digicam module on the again that’s powered by a 50 MP important lens, a 13 MP ultra-wide angle lens, and a devoted 8 MP telephoto lens. The selfie digicam gives a decision of 20 MP.
What I preferred:
The Sony IMX766 important sensor is a secure wager.
A devoted telephoto lens delivers 2x optical zoom.
What I disliked:
Zoom is simply too restricted past 2x magnification.
Too many inconsistencies within the ultra-wide angle lens in comparison with the vast angle lens.

The triple digicam module of the Xiaomi Combine Fold 2 with its devoted telephoto lens. / © NextPit

Opposite to most of the glowing evaluations I’ve learn, I used to be somewhat upset with the picture high quality of the Xiaomi Combine Fold 2. We’re very removed from the superb outcomes of the Xiaomi 12S Extremely (overview) which gained NextPit’s most up-to-date blind digicam check.The principle lens of fifty MP integrates the Sony IMX766 sensor that we already know very nicely because it performs nicely in nearly all conditions. The photographs have been sharp with a large dynamic vary. Personally, I took my photos utilizing the fundamental mode, with out the Leica Genuine or Leica Vibrant modes, and in addition disabled the AI mode to have essentially the most pure rendering attainable.The 13 MP ultra-wide angle lens confirmed the primary indicators of weak point of this digicam module. Colorimetry and publicity have been far too inconsistent with the rendering of the principle lens. Photos have been at all times darker than in wide-angle. We additionally logically have fewer particulars. Briefly, it’s a lot much less fairly.The telephoto lens can also be fairly disappointing because it solely gives 2x optical zoom. I already assume that Samsung is resting on its laurels with its 3x zoom, therefore for a smartphone offered for no less than $1,500, we must always have the very best by way of images.At night time, solely the photographs taken with the principle lens yielded OK outcomes. Xiaomi’s night time mode is kind of efficient however the identical criticisms in ultra-wide angle and daytime zoom apply at night time.Relating to video, the Xiaomi Combine Fold 2 can shoot as much as 8K at 24 FPS with the rear digicam module and as much as 1080p at 60 FPS with the entrance digicam.

Battery life and quick charging

The Xiaomi Combine Fold 2 packs a 4,500 mAh battery that helps 67-watt wired
quick charging however not wi-fi charging.
What I preferred:
Respectable battery life that lasts all day.
Full cost in 40 minutes with the 67-watt charger.
Charger is included within the field.
What I disliked:
No wi-fi charging supported.

The body of the Xiaomi Combine Fold 2 is fabricated from aluminum. / © NextPit

Sadly, I used to be unable to run the PC Mark benchmark on the Xiaomi Combine Fold 2. Due to this fact, I haven’t got a exact measurement to share about its battery life.On a day-to-day foundation, with my common display time of 5 hours, I used to be capable of final a complete day with out having it run out of battery. Nonetheless, I needed to recharge it within the night to keep away from working out of juice the following day.I would not say that the battery life is outstanding. Nonetheless, it’s somewhat sufficient, particularly for a smartphone with a processor and two very grasping screens powered by a comparatively small capability battery of 4,500 mAh.The 67-watt quick charging can also be first rate and allowed me to cost the Xiaomi Combine Fold from 0 to 100% in roughly 40 minutes. The charger that got here within the field was a Chinese language charger, however I used to be ready to make use of an official Xiaomi charger that was mendacity round my home.

Technical specs
Direct comparability between Xiaomi 12T and Xiaomi 12T Professional

 
Technical information

Product

Xiaomi Combine Fold 2

Picture

Display
Folded: 6.56 inch, 21:9, AMOLED, 120 Hz, 1080 x 2520, 1000 nits (HBM), 1300 nits (peak)

Unfolded: 8.02 inch, OLED 120 Hz, LTPO 2.0, 1914 x 2160, 1000 nits (HBM), 1300 nits (peak)

SoC
Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1

Reminiscence
12 GB RAM | 256 GB / 512 GB / 1 TB storage

Software program
Android 12 with MIUI Fold 13

Rear picture module
Foremost lens: 50 MP, 1/1.56″, f/1.8 aperture, PDAF/OISUltra-wide angle: 13 MP, f/2.4 apertureTelephoto lens: 8 MP, f/2.6 aperture, x2 optical zoom

Selfie digicam
20 MP, 1/3.4″, f/2.24 aperture

Battery
4500 mAhWired charging 67 W

Connectivity
5G, LTE, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, USB Sort-C, NFC, GPS

IP score
No

Colours
Black, Gold

Dimensions
Folded: 161.1 x 73.9 x 11.2 mm

Unfolded: 161.1 x 144.7 x 5.4 mm

Weight
262 g

Conclusion

Xiaomi continues its partnership with Leica on the Combine Fold 2. / © NextPit

The Xiaomi Combine Fold 2 will most likely by no means be accessible outdoors of China formally, so who cares about this overview, proper? Properly, no, as a result of this smartphone exhibits what Xiaomi is able to providing within the foldable smartphone section. One factor is for certain, Samsung will lastly have to begin trying over its shoulder if Xiaomi decides to launch a Combine Fold 3 worldwide subsequent 12 months because the competitors goes to get powerful.
Personally, I discovered the software program expertise to be nonetheless too messy because it lacks maturity. I used to be not blown away by the picture high quality when it ought to be one thing value having in a smartphone that’s so costly.

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Nonetheless, the Xiaomi Combine Fold 2 is the foldable smartphone with the very best kind issue and the very best efficiency I’ve reviewed up to now. If it was accessible outdoors of China, it could actually have its place in our number of the very best foldable smartphones and the very best Xiaomi smartphones of the 12 months.

Xiaomi Combine Fold 2
To system database

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