Samsung’s new Galaxy Z TriFold may soon have company in the increasingly crowded segment of multi-folding smartphones, as a GSMA device listing suggests that Xiaomi has one such bendable phone brewing of its own.
The listing, which was highlighted by independent tracker XiaomiTime, adds fuel to speculation that another heavyweight could be about to enter the three-panel foldable race.
GSMA listing reveals Xiaomi model 2608BPX34C in development
The Xiaomi device’s identifying number is 2608BPX34C in the Global System for Mobile Communications Association database, which provides mobile phone codes and set types for international use. Although the detailed specifications in these listings are often scarce, they still do verify that there is a product line and it is getting ready to be recognized by the wider network.
There have been rumors of the phone being branded as the Mix Trifold, taking Xiaomi’s Mix Fold lineage into another form factor. The “C” suffix that appears on many Xiaomi model numbers is typically for a China-market variant, which could mean the company will stick to the same pattern we’ve seen in previous years with a launch at home first before looking more widely. As ever, a GSMA presence implies intent rather than a promised commercial roll-out, but it’s a significant breadcrumb in this pre-launch trail.
Early sizing points to direct Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold rivalry
Tipster Yogesh Brar claims that the device may have an overall footprint that is more or less comparable to Samsung’s Galaxy Z TriFold, hinting at a tablet-like canvas when completely unfolded. Getting that physical template right matters: app layout density, keyboard ergonomics, and multitasking behaviors all change drastically as screen real estate unwraps across three segments and two hinge lines.
If Xiaomi follows its recent playbook, you can expect aggressive thin-and-light design targets. The Mix Fold line has always been about both low thickness and light weight, and those sorts of priorities will be a difference-maker in the category where two hinges and all that additional layering can send a device gawping out into bulk land. Camera tuning and charging speeds have also been Xiaomi staples, and could give the brand a point of differentiation if it doesn’t make engineering trade-offs that compromise thermal performance or endurance.
Why TriFold hardware designs are uniquely difficult to build
TriFold hardware compounds the ordinary foldable issues. Multiply that by two because there are two hinges, which means doubled-up tolerance stacks, even greater total torsion and more chances of dust ingress, and it has to withstand hundreds of thousands of openings in reliability testing. In the case of ultra-thin glass or advanced polyimide films, three panels on a cover stack must be balanced to manage creases, ensure durability and maintain touch fidelity. Display analysts at DSCC have repeatedly pointed out how small adjustments of glass thickness, adhesive and hardcoat can swing perceived crease depth (and pen feel) this way or that.
Battery design is another headache. Split-cell designs, meanwhile, have to wind their way around hinges without losing capacity or making risky assumptions about active-material safety margins, and power-routing circuitry must also be kinked across multiple folds. Accounting for weight distribution is vital too — a TriFold design that’s top heavy or awkward to operate one-handed simply won’t succeed, even if it looks good in the open position.
It’s all about the software. The company has already matured its large-screen and foldable APIs (yes, it all starts with an API), but tri-panel continuity, intent-aware windowing, and fluid transitions among “phone,” “mini-tablet,” and “full tablet” states require deep system work. Xiaomi’s HyperOS will have to emphasize smart defaults — drag-and-drop between panes, persistent app pairs, and a flexible taskbar — to unleash the form factor’s promise instead of revealing its complexity.
Market stakes and Xiaomi’s strategy for a TriFold launch
The foldable category is still a premium niche, but it’s growing. Counterpoint Research and IDC put annual shipments in the mid-teens of millions, with the segment accounting for about 2% of global smartphone volumes and growing at double-digit rates. If it goes into TriFold territory, brands get a halo product that can demand a higher ASP, show off in-house engineering and kick-start ecosystem effects for things like accessories and services.
Given Xiaomi’s history, there’s a strong possibility of a China-first release, with local panel manufacturers like BOE and CSOT churning out next-gen flexible displays. It’s unclear whether the TriFold will go global or not, depending on panel yields, hinge reliability and operator demand. An entry at the GSMA is one step; additional signs, including filings with the Bluetooth SIG, battery certifications and regulatory databases, typically come as a device approaches commercialization.
What to watch next as Xiaomi’s TriFold rumor gains steam
Monitor those display news reports from supply chain chatterboxes like DSCC, plus regulatory listings in China and Europe for potential places where you might find panel specs, hinge design, or even charging speed. If Xiaomi is able to deliver a TriFold that remains slim and lightweight and gets multitasking right, without incurring penalizing weight or battery life penalties, the product could force quick responses from competitors and precipitate the accelerating maturity of the category.
At minimum, the GSMA listing and model number 2608BPX34C indicate Xiaomi’s multi-fold aspirations are no longer rumor but soon to be reality. With Samsung drawing first blood, the competition is soon to get interesting in easily the most challenging corner of mobile hardware.
