Leaks from the XiaomiTime website revealed that Xiaomi It is working on the new generation of its foldable phones, expected to be launched under the name Xiaomi 17 Fold or MIX Fold 5, adopting a modular magnetic camera system that can be dismantled, installed, and modified according to the user’s need.
The leaks showed that the rear camera does not come as a traditional fixed unit, but rather relies on a system of lenses and imaging units that can be magnetically attached to the back of the phone, which opens the door to the use of special lenses or advanced units for photography in different conditions.
The sources indicated that this approach aims to combine the thinness of a foldable phone with the flexibility of a professional camera, so that the phone remains light during daily use, while the user can add magnetic imaging units when needed for higher quality images or a stronger zoom.
Flat frame and leading processor to support the photography experience
Reports indicated that Xiaomi is testing a design with right-angled bezels for the new phone, similar to the design of some current leading phones, with a focus on utilizing the internal space in the best way to support the module camera components and the foldable screen hinge.
Leaks indicated that the device relies on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 Pro processor, which is a higher-class processor designed to handle heavy processing tasks for photography and image processing on a large foldable screen, in addition to multitasking between phone and tablet modes.
Information circulated has confirmed that Xiaomi sees this phone as a platform to showcase its latest developments in the field of developing its own hardware, whether in the design of the foldable structure or in the engineering of the internal magnetic camera system.
A practical solution to the camera problem in foldable phones
Technical analyzes indicated that the idea of the magnetic camera in the Xiaomi 17 Fold comes as a solution to a well-known problem in foldable phones, which is the difficulty of integrating large cameras and advanced lenses without increasing the thickness and weight to a degree that is annoying to the user.
These analyzes showed that the modular system allows the phone to maintain a slim design for most uses, while allowing the installation of a larger imaging module only when needed, giving the user flexibility between a “light phone” mode and a “semi-professional camera” mode.
The leaks confirmed that Xiaomi had previously reviewed, at MWC 2025, a similar concept based on a detachable lens with a larger sensor and a special data connection, indicating that the idea of the magnetic camera in the 17 Fold is based on research and development work that began some time ago.
Initial exclusive to the Chinese market and expected launch in July
XiaomiTime leaks indicated that Xiaomi’s new foldable phone is still in the advanced testing stage, with it expected to be launched in China first during July 2026 if the development plan goes as planned.
The sources indicated that the company has not yet shown any indications of its intention to launch this model globally in the first stage, which means that it will mostly be used as a platform to showcase Xiaomi’s technologies in the Chinese market before studying expansion to other markets.
Reports have confirmed that more details about the camera resolution, memory capacities, battery capacity, and other specifications may become clear as the official launch date approaches or with additional leaks in the coming weeks, especially since the phone combines two attractive factors for the market: being foldable, and its reliance on an adjustable magnetic camera system for the first time in Xiaomi phones.
