Xiaomi may have combined a foldable form-factor, a pop-up camera and a secondary display into 1 patent

Recently, Xiaomi has become linked to a new potential clamshell device of the future. The 'future' part of this phrase comes, of course, from the display depicted in the patent in question, which is flexible. This means the device can fold along a hinge without interruption to this primary screen. However, if a new report in the same general vein proves valid, the OEM has moved on from the design found in this document and is now evaluating another.

The intellectual property in question was apparently originally claimed by Xiaomi in China on December 6, 2019; however, it has found its way onto the World Intellectual Property Office (WIPO) since then. It shows a phone with what may be a lengthy display, but that may be capable of folding vertically in its center. This device also has only 1 camera array; however, it does not interrupt the main screen due to its pop-up nature.

It is clear that the 3 lenses found here are intended for use as a main camera and for selfies. This device also has a kind of mini-display on its rear face, which apparently can act like pin-point LEDs for important notifications such as missed calls and battery levels, although it may also be a touchscreen in its own right. However, as with the last round of potential Xiaomi foldable patents, there is no way of guessing when real-life devices based on them will become available.