Many users are still searching for answers to the question: what is the name of Xiaomi with a retractable camera? These are unique devices that stand out from the standard monoblocks because of their original design. Instead of the usual cutout or hole in the display, the front camera here hides inside the housing and drives out by mechanical drive.
This engineering concept has allowed manufacturers to create smartphones with a real screen without any extra elements on the front panel, frameless design in these models is implemented as fully as possible, which provides an incredible immersion when viewing content, but despite the technological appeal, the lineup of such devices has been short-lived.
In this article, we will analyze all models that received a mechanical module, explain the reasons for their disappearance from the market and help you understand whether it is worth looking for such a device today, you will learn the technical nuances of motorized systems and the peculiarities of using gadgets with complex mechanics.
The evolution of form factor: from sliders to motors
Xiaomi's smartphone history is full of experimentation, but it was the introduction of a mechanical camera that was one of the boldest steps. Engineers were looking for a way to increase the area of usable screen space, and the classic slider form factor was the perfect solution. The first attempts were purely mechanical, requiring manual movement, but quickly evolved into automated systems.
The main goal of the developers was to create the impression that the entire screen is a single image, and the aspect ratio in such devices often reached 19.5:9 or even 20:9 without losing the usable area at the top, the user received a device where the front panel consisted of a display of 93-95%, which was considered a record for the time.
⚠️ Warning: The mechanical parts of a smartphone are always a potential weak point in the design. The entry of fine dust or sand into the camera gap can lead to jamming of the mechanism or its failure.
There were two main types of implementation of this idea: a handheld slider and a motorized lift. The first option required the physical effort of the user, which added tactility, but was less convenient. The second option, which is most often referred to when asked what is called a Sami with a retractable camera, used an electric motor to automatically push the module.
Xiaomi Mi Mix 3: the first magnetic slider
One of the first and most famous answers to the question of what is called Xiaomi with a moving camera was the Xiaomi Mi Mix 3. This flagship of 2018 used a unique magnetic slip system. The top of the screen did not leave on its own, but slid down smoothly under the influence of magnets, opening access to the dual front camera and speaker.
The design was made with the highest build quality, the mechanism had a life of about 300,000 opening cycles, which according to the assurances of engineers should be enough for 5-6 years of active use, even included a special case with a weighting agent that mimicked ceramic tiles, adding weight and tactile sensations when the panel shifts.
- 📸 Dual front camera with a resolution of 24 MP + 2 MP.
- 🧲 Magnetic sliding system without motor use.
- 🎮 Special mode for games activated by panel shift.
- 📱 Premium-class ceramic building.
Despite its innovation, the model had its drawbacks: the body thickness and weight were noticeably higher than those of conventional monoblocks, and the lack of automation meant that selfies always required both hands, which was not always convenient.
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When buying a used Mi Mix 3, be sure to check the density of the upper cover. If it rattles or rattles, the magnets may have weakened or the mechanism wears out.
Redmi K20 and Mi 9T Series: Process Automation
The more popular and popular device was the Redmi K20 Pro (known in the global version as the Xiaomi Mi 9T Pro), which is the model most often remembered when talking about Xiaomi with a moving lens, where engineers abandoned the hand slider in favor of a compact electric motor.
The camera would leave automatically when the camera app was launched or the face unlock function was used, the speed of the mechanism was about 0.8 seconds, which was fast enough for comfortable use. The design of the rear panel was also remarkable: the Redmi logo was shimmering into the light, and the camera module itself had no protruding elements.
So, software protection became an important feature, and if the phone detected an obstacle when it was moving out (like the user's finger), the motor would immediately stop and retract the camera back, preventing it from breaking, and there was a setup for the module's light indication, which could be lit in different colors when calling or notifying.
| Characteristics | Redmi K20 | Redmi K20 Pro | Xiaomi Mi 9T |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | Snapdragon 730 | Snapdragon 855 | Snapdragon 730 |
| Camera mechanism | Motorized | Motorized | Motorized |
| Rate of extension | 0.8 seconds | 0.8 seconds | 0.8 seconds |
| Fall sensor | There is. | There is. | There is. |
This line of smartphones was the peak of the technology’s popularity, and the combination of powerful hardware, the lack of screen cutouts and the relatively affordable price made the Redmi K20 Pro a hit, and many users are still looking for it in the secondary market.
Technical features and sensors of protection
The reliability of the mechanical parts was the most important concern of users, and Xiaomi engineers implemented a number of protective mechanisms to ensure that Xiaomi with a drop-down camera lasted for a long time, and the key element was the accelerometer and gyroscope, which tracked the position of the device in space.
If you drop the phone while the camera is running, the smart sensors detect free fall and instantly tell the motor to remove the module inside the body, which prevents the camera from hitting a hard surface, and the engine's resource, like the Mi Mix 3, was declared at 300,000 cycles.
What happens if the mechanism jams?
The software also allowed the module to be customized, so you could choose the sound of the extension process or change the animation speed, and some users noted that over time, the gaps were filled with dust, which required careful cleaning with compressed air.
- 🛡️ Free fall sensor for emergency camera hiding.
- 🔇 Ability to turn off motor sound in settings.
- 💡 Light indication of the notification module (in some versions).
- ⚙️ Software locking when an obstacle is detected.
Why did smartphones with a camera disappear?
Despite the popularity and wow effect, the era of Xiaomi’s retractable-lens smartphones ended pretty quickly, driven by the race for weight and dimensions, and the camera’s mechanism took up a lot of interior space, leaving no room for large batteries or powerful cooling systems.
The second critical factor was water protection: It is extremely difficult and expensive to provide a high standard of water protection (IP68) in a device with moving parts and process gaps, while competitors massively introduced water protection, sliders remained vulnerable.
⚠️ Warning: Mechanical camera smartphones have little protection from moisture. Water entering the housing through slider gaps can instantly disable the device.
The third reason was the fashion for the refresh rate of the screen: games and smooth interfaces required screens of 90 Hz, 120 Hz and higher, these matrixes consumed more power, and there was no room for an enlarged battery in the case with the motor, the industry opted for thin cases, large batteries and cutouts-drops or holes in the matrix.
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The rejection of mechanical cameras was dictated by the need to increase autonomy and introduce full-fledged moisture protection, which is impossible in the slider format.
Comparison with modern analogues
There are hardly any new models left on the market today, with subscreen cameras that don't yet have the perfect shooting quality, or with small holes, and with slider-modernity.
Modern flagships offer better stabilization, night shots and zoom, but sacrifice screen integrity. For many enthusiasts and collectors, Xiaomi's old models remain coveted artifacts of engineering. They represent a balance between design and functionality that is difficult to replicate in today's environment.
If you’re looking for a collection device or just want a unique gadget, finding used models in good condition can be an interesting task, but for daily use in 2026-2026 they may be inferior to modern public sector workers in speed and photo quality.