Who asked for Xiaomi’s portless concept phone?
Xiaomi’s portless phone might just be a concept, but there’s little doubt that it’s got some feathers tousled. The lack of basics like buttons or a side frame is bold even for a company known for pushing boundaries. Virtually all of the “rules” of phone design have been thrown away, and that infuriates some people.
However, as with the prototypes for portable phones from earlier, Xiaomi’s example begs the question: Who really asked for it? It is easy to say “nobody”, but the truth is more complex. While you as a user may not be thrilled, there is a reason this phone existed … and it can be useful even if nothing like it ever hits the market.
It’s not the users
It is safe to assume that everyday users have not asked for Xiaomi to make its frameless portable phone. Many people are still bitter about the fact that headphone jacks are going away, let alone ports, buttons and bezels. It’s also easy to find phone enthusiasts who despise waterfall displays on existing phones, and the square-edged screen of Xiaomi’s design would only make things worse. Some Apple fans shy away from the thought of a portable iPhone – just imagine how these Android fans would feel if they played it safe.
See also: Xiaomi buying guide
Simply put, Xiaomi runs up against the practical realities of phone use. If Huawei’s folding phones with outward-facing displays seem overly fragile, Xiaomi’s quad waterfall screen is an expensive accident waiting to happen. Buttons, bezels, and SIM card slots provide calming experiences, even if they aren’t strictly necessary. And as much as wireless charging and syncing has improved, they still lag behind the speed and reliability of their wired equivalents.
It wouldn’t be all bad. Next-generation under-display camera technology ensures a seamless experience while surfing the web or watching movies. However, it is clear that Xiaomi’s portable phone is more of a theoretical exercise than a reflection of the sincere demand.
A portable phone is still helping Xiaomi move forward
However, it is precisely doing a theoretical exercise that makes the difference. At the very least, this concept helps Xiaomi determine whether a largely screen portable phone has a receptive audience. It still learns something even if the answer is a resounding “no”.
See the reaction to the original Mi Mix. The design with almost all of the screens at the time was polarizing, and that floor-mounted selfie camera was ultimately a mistake. But it taught Xiaomi more than just a few things about phone design, and the lessons learned from it have been helpful for both the Mi Mix sequels and the company’s entire range of phones. What seemed radical in 2016 became relatively pedestrian a few years later.
There are design skills that could come in handy. As Xiaomi explained, the quadruple curved waterfall display required custom glass processing equipment and new techniques. It also had to rethink the internals of a phone without applying the usual restrictions. Xiaomi can use the know-how from making its portable phone to make far less exotic products.
Expect more experimentation
Given these advantages, it is not surprising if Xiaomi continues its portless project with more experimental phones, no matter how outrageous they may seem. The company will lose very little. Any money that goes into development could easily pay off if the full range of products is more exciting. The concept could also spruce up Xiaomi’s reputation as a forward-thinking brand, much like a “Halo” supercar can get you into a dealership.
This is not to give the company a free pass. You have the right to complain if Xiaomi brings out a phone with painful flaws, regardless of whether it is portable or covered with curved glass. But it’s not necessarily a problem if you haven’t asked about this handset – it’s just important that Xiaomi get away from this project with the right ideas.
