Clamshell Xiaomi foldable smartphone to enter mass production in 2H 2020; Sub-US$150 5G handset targetted for release before the end of 2020 too

Huawei and Samsung may have pioneered bringing foldable smartphones to the mainstream, but we are still yet to see many OEMs release their takes on foldable smartphone tech. We have seen Xiaomi patenting some elaborate foldable designs too, but none have come to fruition. However, it seems that we will be waiting a while before the company releases a display that folds over backwards or one with a camera that resembles the one from the ASUS ZenFone 6.

According to South Korean media, Xiaomi has reached out to Samsung Display for it to supply clamshell foldable panels. While it remains unconfirmed whether the partnership will result in a device coming to market, ZDNet Korea claims that Xiaomi is aiming to begin mass production in 2H 2020. 

The emergence of a foldable clamshell design patented by Xiaomi last year has led some websites to speculate that the device will resemble the Galaxy Z Flip. While that is not guaranteed either, renders published by Windows United based on the patent do mirror Samsung's latest foldable smartphone.

Separately, there are reports from China that Xiaomi is planning on releasing a budget 5G smartphone by the end of 2020. Reportedly priced at CNY 999 (~US$141), the unknown device will significantly undercut any of Xiaomi's existing or upcoming 5G smartphones. In the meantime, the Mi 10 Youth Edition and Redmi K30i will be Xiaomi's affordable 5G smartphones for mid-2020.