Phones all tend to look pretty similar these days. Until they don't. While homogeneous design is a by-product of how refined smartphones have become over the last decade and a bit, we're not seeing manufacturers experiment with unique new form-factors - such as foldable devices - in the pursuit of something new.
With the Mi Mix Alpha, Xiaomi is trying its hand at something new entirely: a display that wraps around the entire device. The screen starts at the camera module on the back, curves around to the front, and then meets the camera on the other side. In fact, the only part of the phone that isn't screen is a long rectangular cut-out that houses the camera module. Because of this, Xiaomi says the Mi Mix Alpha has a screen-to-body ratio of 180.6%. Alright then.
So why do you need so much screen? Well other than bragging rights, this means the primary display is free from all clutter; status icons like battery level, notifications, and network signal have been relegated to the side-displays. The side-displays are also used for digital buttons like volume (the only physical button is a power button on top). The back display sleeps while you're using the front, but flipping it around will bring up shortcuts to your favourite apps.
Other key specifications for the Mi Mix Alpha include a Snapdragon 855+ processor, 12GB of RAM, 512GB of storage, a 108MP (yes, 108MP) + 20MP + 12MP rear-facing camera, 5G connectivity, and a 4080mAh battery. The phone has no selfie camera, as the screen on the back will fire up when you're itching for a selfie.
The Mi Mix Alpha is described as a concept phone and won't be widely available. However, Xiaomi does intend to bring a limited number of devices to market in December at 19,999 yuan, which is a little over $4,100 locally. There's very little chance of the Mi Mix Alpha coming to Australia, but hey, it sure is a unique device.
Alex Choros
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