Xiaomi Mix Flip vs. Huawei Mate X3: A Deep Dive into Foldable Flagship Performance

The foldable phone market is heating up, with the Xiaomi Mix Flip representing the latest generation of Qualcomm silicon and the Huawei Mate X3 offering a more established, albeit slightly older, platform. This comparison dissects the key differences between these two premium foldables, focusing on performance, display quality, battery life, and overall user experience.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For users prioritizing raw processing power and display brightness, the Xiaomi Mix Flip emerges as the winner. Its Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset delivers a significant performance leap. However, the Huawei Mate X3 counters with a potentially longer-lasting battery experience and the convenience of wireless charging, making it a strong contender for power users.

PHONES
Phone Names Xiaomi Mix Flip Huawei Mate X3
Network
2G bandsGSM 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 48, 661, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41
5G bands1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA-
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE
 -CDMA2000 1xEV-DO
Launch
Announced2024, July 192023, March 23
StatusAvailable. Released 2024, July 19Available. Released 2023, April 08
Body
BuildPlastic front (unfolded), glass front (folded), glass back, aluminum frame, hinge (stainless steel)Glass front, glass back or eco leather back, aluminum frame
DimensionsUnfolded: 167.5 x 74 x 7.6 mmFolded: 74 x 74 x 16 mmUnfolded: 156.9 x 141.5 x 5.3 mmFolded: 156.9 x 72.4 x 11.1 mm
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight190 g or 192 g (6.70 oz)239 g or 241 g (8.43 oz)
 -IPX8 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)
Display
Protection-Kunlun Glass (cover display only)
Resolution1224 x 2912 pixels (~460 ppi density)2224 x 2496 pixels (~426 ppi density)
Size6.86 inches, 108.5 cm2 (~87.5% screen-to-body ratio)7.85 inches, 197.5 cm2 (~88.9% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeFoldable LTPO AMOLED, 1B colors, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, 120Hz, 3000 nits (peak)Foldable OLED, 1B colors, 120Hz
 -Cover display: OLED, 120Hz, 6.4 inches, 1080 x 2504 pixels
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x3.3 GHz Cortex-X4 & 3x3.2 GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x3.0 GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x2.3 GHz Cortex-A520)Octa-core (1x3.19 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.75 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8650-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm)Qualcomm SM8475 Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 4G (4 nm)
GPUAdreno 750Adreno 730
OSAndroid 14, upgradable to Android 16, HyperOS 3HarmonyOS 3.1 (China), EMUI 13.1 (Europe), no Google Play Services
Memory
Card slotNoNano Memory (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 1TB 12GB RAM
 -UFS
Main Camera
Dual50 MP, f/1.7, 23mm (wide), 1/1.55", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS 50 MP, f/2.0, 47mm (telephoto), PDAF (9cm - ∞), 2x optical zoom-
FeaturesLED flash, panorama, HDR, Leica lensesLaser AF, color spectrum sensor, LED flash, panorama, HDR
Triple-50 MP, f/1.8, 23mm (wide), PDAF, OIS 12 MP, f/3.4, 125mm (periscope telephoto), PDAF, OIS, 5x optical zoom 13 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide), AF
Video8K@24fps, 4K@24/30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240/960fps, 720p@1920fps, Dolby Vision HDR4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesDolby Vision HDRHDR, panorama
Single32 MP, f/2.0, 21mm (wide), 0.7µm8 MP, f/2.4, (wide) Cover camera: 8 MP, f/2.4, (wide)
Video4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack -No
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.4, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, LHDC5.2, A2DP, LE
Infrared portYesYes
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5), GLONASSGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (B1I+B1c+B2a), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0USB Type-C 3.1, DisplayPort 1.2, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6/7, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometerFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer, altimeter
 -BDS Satellite Message
Battery
Charging67W wired66W wired 50W wireless 7.5W reverse wireless
Type4780 mAhMarket-dependent versions:· Li-Po 4800 mAh (Global)· Si/C Li-Ion 5060 mAh (China only)
Misc
ColorsBlack, White, PurpleBlack, White, Violet, Dark Green, Gold
Models2405CPX3DC, 2405CPX3DGALT-AL00, ALT-L29
Price€ 1,463.14 / $ 999.99 / £ 579.00About 1500 EUR
SAR1.09 W/kg (head)     1.09 W/kg (body)-
SAR EU1.00 W/kg (head)     1.00 W/kg (body)-
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 81h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -26.3 LUFS (Good)
Performance- AnTuTu: 993592 (v9) GeekBench: 4283 (v5.5), 4512 (v6) GFXBench: 41fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Xiaomi Mix Flip

  • Significantly faster processor with Snapdragon 8 Gen 3
  • Brighter display for better outdoor visibility
  • Faster wired charging at 67W

  • Shorter battery life based on active use testing
  • Lacks wireless charging capabilities

Huawei Mate X3

  • Excellent battery endurance (81h rating)
  • Convenient wireless and reverse wireless charging
  • Mature foldable design and software optimization

  • Older Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset
  • Dimmer display compared to the Mix Flip

Display Comparison

The Xiaomi Mix Flip boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured 1314 nits, compared to the Huawei Mate X3’s 926 nits. This translates to superior visibility in direct sunlight. While both feature foldable displays, the Mix Flip’s higher peak brightness is a clear advantage for outdoor use. The Mate X3’s ‘Infinite’ contrast ratio is a marketing term; real-world contrast performance will depend on panel calibration. Neither spec sheet details refresh rate or panel technology (LTPO), but given the flagship positioning, both are likely to employ adaptive refresh rates for power efficiency.

Camera Comparison

Both devices are listed as having 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but lack specific camera details. Given Huawei’s historical strength in mobile photography, the Mate X3 likely prioritizes image processing and computational photography. Without sensor size or aperture information, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment. The absence of detail suggests neither phone features a groundbreaking camera system, focusing instead on overall package refinement. We can assume both will offer a versatile camera experience, but the Mix Flip’s newer image signal processor (ISP) within the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 may offer slight improvements in dynamic range and low-light performance.

Performance

The Xiaomi Mix Flip’s Qualcomm SM8650-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4nm) represents a substantial upgrade over the Huawei Mate X3’s Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4nm). The Gen 3’s Cortex-X4 prime core, clocked at 3.3 GHz, offers a noticeable performance boost over the Mate X3’s Cortex-X2 at 3.19 GHz. The Mix Flip’s CPU configuration (1+3+2+2) is also more modern, utilizing newer Cortex-A720 cores for improved efficiency. The 4nm process node on both chips is similar, but the architectural improvements in the Gen 3 yield a clear advantage in multi-core and single-core performance, impacting everything from app launch speeds to demanding games.

Battery Life

The Huawei Mate X3’s reported endurance rating of 81 hours suggests significantly better battery life than the Xiaomi Mix Flip’s 11:58h of active use. However, endurance ratings are based on specific usage patterns and may not reflect real-world scenarios. The Mix Flip compensates with faster 67W wired charging, potentially mitigating the smaller battery capacity. The Mate X3 adds the convenience of 50W wireless and 7.5W reverse wireless charging, features absent on the Mix Flip. The trade-off is clear: the Mate X3 prioritizes longevity, while the Mix Flip focuses on quick top-ups.

Buying Guide

Buy the Xiaomi Mix Flip if you demand the absolute fastest performance for demanding tasks like gaming and video editing, and value a brighter, more vibrant display. Buy the Huawei Mate X3 if you prioritize extended battery life, appreciate the flexibility of wireless charging, and prefer a more mature foldable design with a proven track record, even if it means sacrificing some processing speed.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 in the Huawei Mate X3 exhibit thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions?
While the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 is a capable chip, it is known to generate more heat than newer generations. The Mate X3’s foldable form factor may present thermal challenges, potentially leading to throttling during prolonged, demanding gaming. However, Huawei’s software optimization could mitigate this issue to some extent.
❓ How does the lack of wireless charging on the Xiaomi Mix Flip impact its usability for users accustomed to this feature?
The absence of wireless charging on the Mix Flip is a notable omission for a flagship foldable. Users who rely on wireless charging for convenience, particularly overnight charging, will find this a significant drawback. The faster 67W wired charging partially compensates, but requires a wired connection.
❓ Given the limited camera details, what can we infer about the image processing differences between these two phones?
Without specific sensor and software details, it's difficult to pinpoint exact differences. However, Huawei historically excels in computational photography, often prioritizing vibrant colors and aggressive noise reduction. Xiaomi, with the newer Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 ISP, may lean towards more natural image processing with improved dynamic range.