Feed your mind. Feast your eyes.
AS SAMSUNG MADE a second
attempt to launch its Galaxy Fold
phone, Xiaomi stole its thunder with
a whole new look. The Mi Mix Alpha
claims a 180% screen–to–body
ratio, playing on the standard
calculation that expresses how
much of the front of a device is
covered by the display. This one
wraps all the way around the sides
to the back, leaving only a vertical
stripe containing what would be the
rear camera array but in this case
serves as the selfie camera too
— you’ll just have to ignore the bar
over the left side of your face. The
rest of the missing 20% is
accounted for by a slim titanium
frame at the top and bottom.
Could this be the concept design
that defines the next generation of
smartphones? It’s not entirely
implausible. As cameras and depth
sensors get more sophisticated,
there’s a distinct advantage in not
having to duplicate them to offer
the same features front and rear.
The standard empty back panel is
crying out for a purpose. And the Mi
Mix Alpha looks extraordinarilydesirable, even when set down to
charge, as the whole device lights
up like a 3D battery icon. Using the
side as a status bar, like the spine of
a book, is also cute.
It does lack the primary benefit
of a folding phone: all that extra
screen space doesn’t actually
form one bigger display. But the
squareish Galaxy Fold screen seems
tricky to find a use for, and nobody
loves its centre crease. Huawei’s
screen–on–the–outside folding Mate
X — also delayed — makes more
sense, but like the Galaxy is twice
as thick as other phones. The Mi
Mix Alpha keeps it slim, but raises
the same two questions: can
a flexible display be toughened
enough for everyday use, and will
holding it by the screen not trigger
unwanted actions?
Xiaomi says the Mi Mix Alpha will
go on sale this year, but only in
a limited run — a wise caveat given
Samsung’s technical problems with
the Galaxy Fold, and realistic
considering the eye–watering
$2,800 price tag. If this is the
future, it’s not quite here yet.BENRO 3XS LITE
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Start
10 DEC 2019 maclife.com
What the heck?
Are wraparound screens the new folding?
BY ADAM BANKSWINS & FAILS
DEBIT Apple Card care instructions warn of damage from
leather, pockets, other credit cardsOH NO Security nightmare for Twitter as hackers take over
boss Jack Dorsey’s own accountNIXED Apple offers free repairs as some older Watch models
develop cracks around the glassCREDIT Well, there’s a great argument for Apple Pay
right there...OH BRO If this keeps happening, they may eventually tweet
something more popular than JackFIXED Who knew that the Apple Watch was
actually repairable?