According to media LetsgoDigital, a new patent for Xiaomi’s modular mobile phone has flowed out. The patent was released on April 29, 2021, and has been included in the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) database for the Protect this patented technology worldwide.
The patent shows that the Xiaomi modular mobile phone consists of three modules: the first module (top part) contains the PCB (motherboard) and camera, the second module (middle part) holds the battery, and the third module (bottom part) contains the interface And speakers. In order to better display this phone, Dutch graphic designer Jermaine Smit produced a set of product renderings based on Xiaomi’s patent.
Patent documents show that Xiaomi’s modular mobile phone has a full-screen design, and the shell is made of metal or plastic materials. Through the rail system, the modules can be slid and spliced and disassembled. In addition, the patent document also shows that at least two modules must be connected to form a complete large screen. It is worth mentioning that the patent document mentions that there is no obvious seam between the spliced screens.
The patent also shows and describes two different camera modules. The first type of module is a square camera system consisting of three cameras and a flash. The second type of module is a vertical camera system consisting of four cameras. It is worth noting that the bottom lens is square. This indicates that the camera module has a periscope zoom camera.
There is no indication from the patent document about which solution Xiaomi uses for the front camera on the front of the phone. Although the screen opening front camera solution is widely used, Xiaomi has recently applied for a patent for a rotating under-screen camera. It is not ruled out that Xiaomi will adopt an under-screen camera solution on this phone.
Of course, Xiaomi can also increase the proactive solution by releasing multiple modules: a module with a simple front camera with a screen opening, and a module with a front camera under the screen.
Provide a variety of solutions for users to choose from, this is the advantage of modular mobile phones. Of course, Xiaomi’s new phone is not the first attempt at a modular phone. As early as 2013, Xiaomi’s co-founder and CEO Lei Jun posted various photos of Xiaomi’s Rubik’s Cube modular mobile phone on Weibo, as well as the previous Google’s Project Ara project and Motorola’s Moto Z series. The use of Moto Mods modules to expand the functions of mobile phones is an exploration of modular mobile phones by manufacturers.
Jane Brown 
Fong Tan Ling 
Blair 
John Shen