News

The Xiaomi MIX Flip is the Chinese company’s first ever Flip

It took them three years to make it

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Graphics by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch

2024’s Q3 (third quarter) has been bombarded with flippables — Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip6, motorola’s razr 50 and 50 Ultra (or razr/razr+ 2024), and another first-timer, the Magic V Flip by HONOR.

Now, it’s safe to say that Flips from the major phone league have finally assembled!

A new breed of MIX

Xiaomi’s “MIX” line used to be their experimental yet rad-looking series of smartphones based from the concept drawing board — bezel-less screen, all-screen/no sides, sliding mechanism, under-display cameras, you name ’em!

Eventually, it just became an added moniker to the brand’s line of folds.

Graphics by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch

But this July 2024, Xiaomi marks a new milestone!

The Xiaomi MIX Flip is the Chinese company’s first ever “Flip” — or that modern-day clamshell phone from the early millennium.

Graphics by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch

Lei Jun told everyone that the MIX Flip was already in the company’s plans and R&D three years ago. However, they thought the flip tech isn’t “mature” yet. Xiaomi firmly believes the all-new MIX Flip will solve all the pain points of flips from the yesteryears.

After several design iterations and form factor prototypes (including one with the rear camera on the other side while the other lookin’ much like TECNO’s Phantom V Flip), they’ve finally come up with a bold design.

Graphics by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch

At 15.99mm, it’s not the slimmest flip out there, but Xiaomi is confident enough to say its strong and durable.

Just like its bigger MIX Fold 4 brother, the MIX Flip features a composite fiber material on its back, an aluminum alloy middle frame, as well as Xiaomi Shield Glass and the flexible UTG (Ultra Thin Glass) for utmost screen protection.

The lifespan promise of up to 500,000 folds remains in this flip as well.

The Best FlagFlip

The Chinese brand’s first-gen Flip device already has a maximized full-screen cover measuring at 4.01-inches. It has a 120Hz refresh rate and a 1.5K resolution.

Graphics by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch

While the dual camera island occupies the other side of the cover screen, it still has an excess 3.5-inch display area with a conventional 16:9 aspect ratio — very ideal for opening most apps without opening the compact foldable itself.

Graphics by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch

Opening the flip shows its 6.86-inch internal folding screen with an adaptive 1~120Hz refresh rate

Both displays are AMOLED panels that reach up to 1600 nits of peak brightness and 3000 nits in HBM (High Brightness Mode).

Graphics by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch

But what makes this one of the best FlagFlips (flagship x flip)? Aside from Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip6, it’s the only other flip phone that’s equipped with the high-end Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 SoC.

UFS 4.0 storage options range between 256/512GB or 1TB while LPDDR5X memory either comes in 12 or 16GB.

Graphics by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch

To combat heat, the MIX Flip has a large 3500mm² VC (Vapor-Cooling) Chamber with a unique “staircase” design. The addition of a double-layer graphite and aerogel thermal insulation effectively blocks the heat transfer between the battery and display and minimizes the accumulation of the heat all over the flip.

The MIX Flip possesses a large 4780mAh battery — making it the second Flip with the biggest battery right after the HONOR Magic V Flip (4800mAh). It supports 67W fast wired charging but no wireless charging.

Leica on a Flip?!

Just like the Xiaomi 14 series and the simultaneously-unveiled MIX Fold 4, the MIX Flip highlights its Leica camera system even in such a compact foldable chassis. These include their Summilux optics as well as color calibration modes and other software features.

Graphics by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch

The MIX Flip boasts a dual 50MP camera system. Its main camera shares the same Light Fusion 800 sensor with an f/1.7 aperture

And much like the HONOR Magic V Flip and motorola razr 50 Ultra, the MIX Flip ditches the ultra-wide lens in favor of a 2x telephoto shooter — rocking the OmniVision OV60A sensor to be very precise.

Graphics by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch

Unlike the HONOR Magic V Flip’s rear flash module, MIX Flip’s flash unit is on the front alongside its dual cameras.

There’s also a selfie camera inside: 30MP f/2.0 based on OmniVision’s OV32B sensor.

Pricing and Availability

The Xiaomi Mix Flip is available in white, black, and a special phantom purple colorway.

Pricing per configuration are as follows:

  • 12+256GB = CNY 5999 (US$ 827 / EUR 774 / GBP 652 / SG$ 1119 / PhP 48,498 / INR 69,072)
  • 16+512GB =CNY 6499 (US$ 900 / EUR 835 / GBP 718 / SG$ 1218 / PhP 51,687 / INR 75,122)
  • 16+1TB = CNY 7299 (US$ 1010 / EUR 937 / GBP 807 / SG$ 1367 / PhP 58,049 / INR 84,370)

Optional accessories are also being sold. Other than these official extra covers, there’s also a portable ink-less printer sold for just CNY 499 (US$ 69 / EUR 63 / GBP 53 / SG$ 92 / PhP 4009 / INR 5750).

This works by connecting the phone onto the top module and the printer will print photos straight right after you capture one from the camera app.

Just like the MIX Fold 4, there’s no word on global availability of the Xiaomi MIX Flip just yet.

Editor’s Note: I hope Xiaomi will sell the MIX Flip in international markets — all because I badly want that capybara theme cover 😭

Gaming

Steam Machine price, reservation system revealed

Reservations open now

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Steam Machine

Valve has officially revealed pricing and availability details for the Steam Machine, its living room-focused gaming PC running SteamOS.

The company is launching the device in four configurations. Reservations open immediately through a randomized queue system designed to reduce scalping and bot purchases.

Steam Machine price

The base Steam Machine with 512GB of storage costs USD1,049. A bundle that includes the Steam Controller is priced at USD 1,128.

Meanwhile, the 2TB model costs USD 1,349, while the 2TB bundle with a Steam Controller retails for USD 1,428.

Buyers who opt for either 2TB variant will also receive two additional faceplates: a red fabric finish and a solid walnut option.

Valve says all listed prices already include VAT where applicable.

Why Steam Machine costs more than expected

The pricing announcement comes months after Valve delayed the Steam Machine’s launch.

According to the company, rising component costs and supply chain issues forced it to revisit its original pricing targets.

Valve explained that when development began in 2023, it expected hardware costs to gradually decline over time. Instead, the company encountered significant increases in RAM and storage pricing, alongside periods where some components became difficult to source altogether.

The company added that component shortages also limited the number of units it could manufacture for launch.

Steam Machine was first announced as a compact PC gaming device designed for living room setups. It runs SteamOS and is positioned as an alternative to traditional game consoles while maintaining access to the broader PC gaming ecosystem.

Reservations use randomized queue

Rather than opening direct sales, Valve is implementing a reservation system.

Interested buyers can sign up for their preferred Steam Machine model until June 25 at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time. After the registration window closes, Valve will randomize all entries and assign customers either a reservation slot or a waitlist position.

Customers selected for the reservation queue will receive an email confirming that a Steam Machine has been reserved in their name. Purchase invitations will begin rolling out starting June 29 as inventory becomes available.

To qualify, users must have a Steam account in good standing and must have made a Steam purchase before April 27, 2026. Valve is also limiting registrations to one entry per household.

Users may sign up for multiple models. If selected for more than one queue, Valve will automatically assign the highest-end model available and remove the user from other reservation lists.

Not a console, says Valve

Despite its console-like form factor, Valve says it does not view Steam Machine as a traditional console.

The company describes the device as an extension of PC gaming rather than a closed ecosystem. Unlike conventional consoles that often subsidize hardware through software sales and subscriptions, Valve says Steam Machine is built around the openness that has long defined PC gaming.

Valve also reiterated plans to expand SteamOS support beyond its own hardware. With the recently released SteamOS 3.8, users can already install the operating system on compatible living room PCs, although support is currently limited to AMD graphics cards.

For users in Japan, Taiwan, and Hong Kong, orders will be handled through regional distributor Komodo. Steam Machine will not be available in South Korea.

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Automotive

Mercedes-Benz holds a Welcome Home campaign to celebrate 140 years

Get freebies and discounts from now until the end of July.

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Mercedes-Benz has been an important part of Filipino car culture. Stylized as the “Chedeng,” the brand’s cars are still worthy choices today. Now, to celebrate their 140th anniversary, Mercedes-Benz is launching the Welcome Home Campaign, offering treats and discounts for Filipino drivers.

From now until the end of June, new Mercedes-Benz owners can get an exclusive 1886 Benz Patent Motorwagen Replica. The limited-edition replica represents the history of brand’s innovations in the motoring space.

Similarly, until the end of the month, interested customers can start their Benz journey for downpayments as low as PhP 140,000. Discounted prices, however, will go on until the end of July:

MODEL
Original Price
Discounted Price
CLA 200 Progressive
PhP 3,990,000
PhP 3,490,000
C 180 Avantgarde
PhP 3,990,000
PhP 2,990,000
GLB 200 AMG Line
PhP 4,590,000
PhP 4,090,000
GLC 200 4MATIC
PhP 5,190,000
PhP 4,690,000
EQB 250+ Electric Art
PhP 4,290,000
PhP 4,090,000
EQE 300 Electric Art Sedan
PhP 5,590,000
PhP 3,990,000
EQE 350+ AMG Line Sedan
PhP 6,290,000
PhP 4,690,000
EQS 450 4MATIC AMG Line Sedan
PhP 9,990,000
PhP 7,490,000
Mercedes-AMG CLA 35 4MATIC
PhP 5,719,000
PhP 5,519,000
Mercedes-AMG GLB 35 4MATIC
PhP 5,719,000
PhP 5,219,000

 

If you already own a Chedeng, Mercedes-Benz will show some love by offering special aftersales initiatives throughout the campaign period. Additionally, there will be more roadshow activations happening the entire year to showcase the latest in the Benz lineup.

Finally, if you have a Chedeng story of your own, Mercedes-Benz is inviting long-time fans to share their stories on social media by tagging the official Mercedes-Benz Philippines account and using the hashtags #Chedeng and #140YearsofInnovation. Featured users can win exclusive Benz merchandise.

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Gaming

Ubisoft co-founder dies in plane crash

Claude Guillemot was one of five brothers that founded Ubisoft.

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Yasuke, Naoe

Claude Guillemot, one of the four co-founders of Ubisoft, has died last week in a plane crash. He was 69 years old.

As reported via Bloomberg, Guillemot died alongside the plane’s other passenger. They both died in La Baule in France.

Regardless of how you feel about the company today, Ubisoft is still an undeniable reason why RPGs are so popular. In 1984, Guillemot started the company with his four brothers. Since then, it’s become a household name for gaming. Its portfolio includes Assassin’s Creed, Prince of Persia, Splinter CellAnno, and Far Cry. Despite the prolific resume, the company is currently struggling to recreate the magic that made it so popular over a decade ago. Its current efforts include remaking Assassin’s Creed: Black Flag, which launches next month.

Though Claude might not be your first thought when thinking of Ubisoft, the company is still owned by the family, headed by his brother Yves. Claude, however, was the chairman of Guillemot Corp.

“Ubisoft was deeply saddened to learn of the death of Claude Guillemot, co-founder of the group and chairman of Guillemot Corp., in an accident. Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones during this difficult time. No further statements will be made at this time,” Ubisoft said about his passing.

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