Xiaomi Mi Mix 3: First slider phone survives durability tests

The Oppo Find X first showed us that a motorised sliding mechanism could be a potential structural weak point on a smartphone. This did not stop Xiaomi from producing the Mi Mix 3, which incorporates a magnetic, mechanical sliding mechanism to maximise its screen to body ratio. The sliding mechanism not only looks more fun than the one in the Find X, but it has also proven to be more durable too.

The Mi Mix 3 survived JRE's scratch test thanks to Xiaomi's use of Corning Gorilla glass, which scratches like most modern smartphones at level 6 on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness. Xiaomi has continued to equip its Mi Mix series with ceramic backs, which are much tougher to damage and only scratch at a level 8 on the same hardness scale. While Nelson praised Xiaomi for its use of ceramic on a comparatively cheap flagship smartphone, he also warned that the narrow gap between the sliding mechanism and the screen could trap sand or pocket lint over time and potentially damage or break the device.