Xiaomi unveiled the Mi Mix 3 about a month ago, introducing the world to its first slider-based smartphone. The company isn’t quite done releasing new models of the device yet though, since there’s also a 5G version on the way.
The 5G Mi Mix 3 was first announced on-stage during the launch event, but we haven’t heard anything about it since. Xiaomi President Lin Bin has now posted a teaser of what’s to come via his official Weibo account. The photo features the Mi Mix 3 in front of a computer in what’s likely a testing station of some sort.
Xiaomi Mi Mix 3 5G Variant
Look to the upper right corner of the screen and you’ll see a 5G logo proudly sitting next to the other icons. Turn your eye to the left side and you can spy the Android Pie ‘P’ logo located next the clock. The Mi Mix 3 currently runs on Android 8.1 Oreo, so this means the handset is due for an update soon.
Xiaomi had previously stated that it would launch the 5G version of its flagship device in the first quarter of 2019 in Europe. Bin hasn’t revealed any particular date for the variant, only noting that this is probably the first social media post made using the 5G network.
Also See: Xiaomi’s bezel-less Mi Mix 3 has a magnetic slider and 4 cameras
2019 is shaping up to be a big year for 5G as multiple manufacturers are competing to get a head start in the game. Other than Xiaomi, the other big players are OnePlus and Samsung. The former has already announced that it’s going to release a separate line of 5G smartphones independent of its current series.
Meanwhile, Samsung is also said to be preparing a 5G iteration of the Galaxy S10. There are some crazy rumors about it out there, including one which claims it has six cameras (2 front + 4 rear) and a huge 6.7-inch screen. We don’t know which one will be first, but it looks like it’ll be a tight race.