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This might be what the crazy Xiaomi Mi Mix Alpha 2 looks like

By Joshua Swingle

Published: Jul 21, 2020, 6:51 AM

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Xiaomi Mi Mix Alpha 2 concept render

The Xiaomi Mi Mix Alpha was introduced last September as an ultra-premium smartphone that is, quite literally, wrapped in display.

Xiaomi planned a launch in December but later chose to delay the product indefinitely. Despite that decision, though, one new patent suggests the Chinese company is already working on a second-generation model that could be announced later this year.

The patent in question, which was first reported on earlier this month, envisions a smartphone with two massive displays and an ‘AI Super Camera’ which is coupled with a zoom lens that extends from the device like a compact camera.

Xiaomi Mi Mix Alpha 2 concept render

Today, that idea has been envisioned by the king of concept renders himself – Concept Creator – in partnership with LetsGoDigital. The results, rather unsurprisingly, are quite stunning but also pretty crazy.

A waterfall display with no notch or punch hole

If Xiaomi moves ahead with the patented design, the resulting device will feature a massive waterfall display on the front that extends to the top and bottom edges with no room for a controversial forehead or chin.

There is no notch or punch hole for the selfie camera and/or 3D facial recognition system either. That means Xiaomi may either skip both features on the front panel or implement them with the help of advanced in-screen technology.

Thanks to the chosen waterfall panel, the display curves over the entire side of the smartphone. But unlike the original Xiaomi Mi Mix Alpha, the potential second-generation model boasts a front screen that ends when it reaches the rear panel.

It’s unclear why this decision may have been taken, but production issues could have something to do with it. After all, manufacturing an all-screen waterfall display is much easier than producing one that wraps around the entire device.

Another display and a huge camera on the back

Fortunately, the overall user experience shouldn’t be too different. Xiaomi has selected a large display for the rear of the patented smartphone that starts only millimeters away from where the waterfall screen ends – they’re separated by a very slim metal frame.

It extends from the very bottom and occupies about two-thirds of the rear. The rest belongs to the ginormous ‘AI Super Camera,’ which replaces the increasingly common dual, triple, quad, and Penta-camera modules.

The implementation seems to be a modern take on the ideas and technologies that led to the iconic Nokia Lumia 1020 and less popular Samsung Galaxy K Zoom. It should easily give the Huawei P40 Pro+ and Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra a run for their money.

Unfortunately, the exact camera sensor Xiaomi would use in the smartphone if manufactured remains a mystery at this stage. But a 108-megapixel could be a candidate for the device considering their popularity at the moment.

As for internal specifications, the Mi Mix Alpha 2 is expected to launch as an ultra-premium smartphone that is possibly even more expensive than recent foldable products. Therefore, high-end hardware is to be expected inside.

The most likely option for a chipset is the new Qualcomm Snapdragon 865+ which is expected to be used inside the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra too. That makes 5G network connectivity a standard feature. A massive battery should be included as well.