OPPO Find N5 and Xiaomi MIX Flip 2: A New Chapter in the 2024 Foldable Phone Market

OPPO Find N5 and Xiaomi MIX Flip 2: A New Chapter in the 2024 Foldable Phone MarketThe 2024 foldable phone market seems to have hit a plateau. While a few brands have made significant advancements, others are actively exploring breakthroughs for the next generation of foldable phones

OPPO Find N5 and Xiaomi MIX Flip 2: A New Chapter in the 2024 Foldable Phone Market

The 2024 foldable phone market seems to have hit a plateau. While a few brands have made significant advancements, others are actively exploring breakthroughs for the next generation of foldable phones. On January 13th, the market received two significant announcements, one officially confirmed and the other from a well-known industry insider.

First, OPPO officially announced its new foldable phone, the OPPO Find N5, for a February release. OPPO Vice President, Liu Zuohu, accompanied the announcement with a comparison image of the folded OPPO Find N5 next to a pencil, hinting at its slim design. Based on previous industry leaks, the OPPO Find N5 is expected to be one of the thinnest horizontal foldable phones, with a thickness under 10mm, possibly around 9mm. However, pursuing extreme thinness requires compromises in areas like the camera system. Balancing thinness with functionality will be a major challenge for OPPO. Current foldable phones typically include wireless charging and IPX8 waterproofing, features requiring significant hardware space and technological support.

Almost simultaneously, the well-known digital blogger "Digital Chat Station" revealed key specifications of the Xiaomi MIX Flip 2. The leak suggests it will feature the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite processor and address shortcomings of its predecessor by including wireless charging and IPX8 waterproofing. The camera system will reportedly consist of a 50MP main camera (1/1.5 large sensor) and a 50MP ultra-wide-angle lens, unfortunately lacking a telephoto lens. The inner screen will be a 6.85-inch, 1.5K resolution OLED flexible screen with LTPO technology, while the outer screen will be a large, dual-curved secondary display. The final screen design might be a four-curved design with equal depth, but this needs further confirmation. Additionally, the Xiaomi MIX Flip 2 will feature full-size NFC and a side-mounted fingerprint sensor. Given that side-mounted fingerprint sensors are common in vertical foldable phones, in-display fingerprint technology remains challenging for smaller foldable devices.

Based on current information, the OPPO Find N5 might be the only horizontal large-foldable phone based on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for the first half of the year. The Xiaomi MIX Flip 2 is likely to be the only small foldable phone launched in the first half of the year. Considering the strong sales of the original Xiaomi MIX Flip, the early release of the second generation is unsurprising.

The upcoming releases of the OPPO Find N5 and Xiaomi MIX Flip 2 will inject new energy into the first half of 2024's foldable phone market. The OPPO Find N5 prioritizes extreme thinness, targeting high-end users who value portability. The Xiaomi MIX Flip 2 builds on the success of its predecessor, upgrading its specifications to enhance competitiveness. Their differentiated positioning offers consumers more options.

OPPO's pursuit of extreme thinness with the Find N5 is a bold attempt. Ensuring the phone's durability and functionality while maintaining this thin profile will be a significant challenge. This requires comprehensive consideration of material selection, design, and system optimization. If successful, the OPPO Find N5 could become a landmark product in the foldable phone market.

The Xiaomi MIX Flip 2 addresses previous shortcomings while improving overall capabilities. The addition of wireless charging and IPX8 waterproofing enhances user experience. The 50MP main (1/1.5 large sensor) + 50MP ultra-wide camera system should meet most users' daily shooting needs. The absence of a telephoto lens is a slight drawback, a potential area for future improvement.

Vivo's foldable phone launch has been postponed to the third quarter. This means that in the first half of the year, the OPPO Find N5 and Xiaomi MIX Flip 2 will be the most noteworthy foldable phones. Their market performance will reflect the current trends in the foldable phone market.

In short, the first half of 2024's foldable phone market will be the stage for the OPPO Find N5 and Xiaomi MIX Flip 2. Each phone has a different focus, experimenting with thinness and functionality respectively. The market will determine which phone wins consumer favor. Undoubtedly, their launch will inject new vitality into the 2024 foldable phone market, pushing the industry towards greater maturity and sophistication. Their success or failure will significantly influence other manufacturers' R&D directions. This will be a competitive and innovative market, and we eagerly await the breakthroughs and developments to come. Their release will be a significant milestone in the 2024 foldable phone market. A comparison of the two phones will help consumers better understand current market trends and inform their purchasing decisions. Based on current information, both the OPPO Find N5 and Xiaomi MIX Flip 2 have the potential to become bestsellers. The future foldable phone market will be more diverse and focus more on user experience.