Xiaomi’s next foldable is now drawing attention for a reason that goes beyond hardware. The Mix Fold 5 is rumored to arrive with HyperOS 4 already installed, which would make it the first Xiaomi phone to launch with the new software out of the box.
That possibility also places the foldable ahead of the Xiaomi 18 lineup in software timing. If the leak proves accurate, Xiaomi may use its premium foldable as the first public showcase for HyperOS 4 before its mainstream flagship series reaches the market.
What the latest certification suggests
The newest clue comes from Weibo leakers Whylab and Digital Chat Station. Whylab says a Xiaomi device carrying model number 2608BPX34 has cleared radio certification with China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, or MIIT.
The same model number has previously been tied to Xiaomi’s next foldable, which is why the certification is widely believed to point to the Mix Fold 5. Whylab also says the device may be sold as the Xiaomi 17 Fold, showing that Xiaomi could still change the final commercial name.
The certification details reportedly show 5G support and Ultra-Wideband, or UWB, connectivity. UWB is typically used for precise tracking and short-range device interactions, which would add another premium feature to the foldable.
HyperOS 4 may arrive before Xiaomi 18
Digital Chat Station reinforced the software claim by saying the Mix Fold 5 will be the first Xiaomi phone to ship with HyperOS 4. The leaker also expects the Xiaomi 18 series to arrive later, with September mentioned for that lineup.
That timing would let Xiaomi position the Mix Fold 5 as the opening device for its next-generation software experience. Whylab, meanwhile, suggests the foldable could launch in August, although Xiaomi has not announced any official release date.
Rumored chip and expected direction
Another major rumor points to Xiaomi’s in-house Xring O3 chipset inside the Mix Fold 5. If true, that would mark an important shift for a premium foldable, since Xiaomi’s top-end foldables have generally relied on third-party platforms.
The software push and possible use of Xring O3 suggest Xiaomi wants the new foldable to represent more than a routine successor. Instead, it appears to be shaping up as a technology statement for both hardware control and software integration.
How it compares with Mix Fold 4
The Mix Fold 5 is expected to follow the Mix Fold 4, which arrived in 2024. The earlier model used a 7.98-inch AMOLED inner display and a 6.56-inch cover screen for use when folded.
It also ran on Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 and included a 5,100mAh battery with 67W wired charging and 50W wireless charging. No new leak has confirmed similar or improved display, battery, or charging specs for the Mix Fold 5 yet.
One rumor has also placed the Mix Fold 5’s price at $1,000, though that figure remains unverified. For now, the most concrete signs are the certification filing, the software rumors, and the possibility that Xiaomi is preparing a foldable to lead the HyperOS 4 rollout.
Those details do not confirm the phone’s final name or full specifications, but they do show that the device is moving closer to launch. If the reports hold up, Xiaomi may be ready to use the Mix Fold 5 as both a foldable upgrade and the debut stage for its next software generation.