Xiaomi with a retractable camera: current models and prices in 2026

In an era of total dominance of bangs and islets, Xiaomi smartphones with a retractable camera remain in the memory of users as the embodiment of the perfect screen without unnecessary cutouts. the company’s engineers from 2018 to 2020 actively experimented with mechanical modules, trying to offer the market maximum area of usable display space. Now, in 2026, such devices are nostalgic, but also an interesting segment in the secondary market and in the niche of collectible gadgets.

Many people are still searching for the Xiaomi Mi Mix 3 or Redmi K20 Pro, wondering if they are relevant today and what their real cost is. The mechanical drive of a selfie camera is not just an engineering solution, but a whole design philosophy that, alas, has been temporarily replaced by subscreen technology. However, for connoisseurs of pure image and tactile sensations from the slider mechanism, these models remain unique.

In this article, we will analyze all the models released in detail, analyze their current market price, technical features and answer the question whether it is worth buying such a device in modern realities. You will learn how long motorized mechanisms last and what surprises can be presented by buying a used device with a mileage of several years.

The evolution of mechanics: from sliders to motors

Xiaomi's journeying camera smartphone story didn't start with electric motors, but with classic mechanical sliders. The firstborn was the Xiaomi Mi Mix 3, released in late 2018. It used a magnetic sliding design: the user manually shifted the top of the body down and the camera left. This solution was robust, but required physical interaction every time before taking a selfie.

Soon after, the company moved to more automated solutions: the flagship Xiaomi Mi 9T Pro (known in China as the Redmi K20 Pro) received a fully automatic motorized module, the camera drove on the command of the application or when recognizing the face, which added the device wow effect and allowed the introduction of functions like “swipe to answer the call”, which became the hallmark of the series.

While the Mi Mix Alpha concept line was also evolving, it didn't go into mass production, demonstrating the power of folding and retractable designs. Xiaomi engineers were looking for a balance between the strength of the mechanism and the thickness of the body. It's important to note that all of these devices sacrificed moisture protection for the sake of design, because sealing the moving parts was extremely difficult and expensive.

By 2020, with the Xiaomi Mi 10 Ultra series and the transition to subscreen cameras in later models, the era of mechanical outbound modules in the mass market has effectively ended, but these models have laid the standards of bezless design, which the industry still strives for.

Overview of key models: characteristics and features

If you're considering buying, it's important to understand the differences between the major models. K20 The Pro, which offered a flagship filling at the price of a mid-segment, was powered by a Snapdragon 855 processor, AMOLED-It had a no-cut screen and a triple main camera, and the camera mechanism here was completely autonomous and it responded to the accelerometer, so if the phone fell, the camera would automatically hide to avoid damage.

The Xiaomi Mi Mix 3 stood out for 5G support in a special version, which was an advanced solution for 2019. However, the manual slider mechanism could wear out over time, a backlash appeared, and the Hall sensor that captures the position of the lid sometimes required calibration.

The Xiaomi Mi Mix 2S and earlier versions, which did not have retractable cameras in the modern sense, but set the stage for the Mix series, were the Mi 9T and Mi 9T Pro, however, “people’s favorites” thanks to the combination of price and functionality, they were equipped with NFC, fast fingerprint scanners in the screen and powerful batteries.

Below is a comparative table of the main characteristics of popular models with a moving module:

Current prices in 2026 and the state of the market

In 2026, it is almost impossible to find a new Xiaomi smartphone with a retractable camera in official retail, and these models are discontinued, and their remnants, if any, are at highly inflated prices from collectors or in “deposits” warehouses. The main market has shifted to the segment of used devices and refurbished equipment.

The cost of the Redmi K20 Pro in good condition in the secondary market varies depending on the configuration and safety of the mechanism. The device with a whole screen and a powerless engine can cost from 100 to 150 dollars. Versions with minimal traces of use and a full package (box, documents) are valued higher.

Xiaomi Mi Mix 3 due to its niche and ceramic body can cost more, especially the 5G version. However, it is worth considering battery wear, as the capacity of 3200 mAh in 2026 is already critically small for the modern rhythm of life.

⚠️ Warning: When buying a used smartphone with a retractable camera, be sure to check the mechanism for extraneous sounds (squeaking, hum) and reaction speed.

Technical risks: durability of the mechanism

Xiaomi engineers have tested the engines on tens of thousands of cycles (usually about 30,000), which should last 3-5 years for an average use, but in 2026 most of these devices are already more than 5-6 years old, so the mechanical part can be exhausted.

Common problems faced by owners of old models:

• 🔋 Wear plume: Constant movement can cause the camera plume to rub, causing connection errors or missing images.
• 🧹 Dust intrusion: Lack of tightness leads to the accumulation of dust inside the housing, which makes it difficult for the mechanism to run and can cause jamming.
• 🔋 Discharge in the extended state: if the phone dies when the camera is pushed, it will not be able to move automatically, which creates a risk of damage to the module when trying to put the phone in your pocket.

There's software protection, where if the sensor detects an obstacle when it's pushed out, the camera hides back, but over the years, the calibration of the sensors can get lost, and the mechanism starts to work incorrectly. Recovery often requires a complete disassembly and cleaning of the guides.

Programmatic features and settings

Even years after the release, the software of these smartphones remains their forte, although the official Android updates for them have long ceased.

In the standard MIUI shell (or HyperOS, if ported by enthusiasts), a special service is responsible for the camera operation. In the settings menu, you can find a section dedicated to the selfie camera.

• 📸 Motor sound: the ability to turn on or off the characteristic sound of the engine when moving out.
• 🤳 Scheduled Selfies: Set up automatic camera extensions at specific times or when running specific apps.
• 🔄 Fall Turn: A critical feature that hides the camera when it accelerates sharply (falls).

To access hidden settings, engineers often used special codes or ADB-For example, the number of cycles of the engine could be checked through the engineering menu, and in 2026, this data can be obtained through third-party diagnostic tools available in repositories.

adb shell dumpsys activity services | grep camera

This command (or its analogues for a specific version of Android) allows you to check the status of services associated with the camera if the standard application is not working correctly.

Should I Buy in 2026?

Buying a Xiaomi smartphone with a moving camera in 2026 is more of a step for an enthusiast, collector or user with very specific screen requirements. If you are vitally looking for a perfectly flat screen without holes and are willing to put up with the risks of an old battery and the lack of fresh security patches, the Redmi K20 Pro remains a legend.

But for the average user, modern state-owned cameras with small cutouts or even high-quality underscreen cameras (which by 2026 had become standard even in the mid-range) will be a more rational choice: they are lighter, thinner, have water protection and fresher “iron”.

If you want to experience the history of mobile technology or collect a retro collection, finding a well-preserved one is a great idea, and the prices are already established and are unlikely to rise, as there is no mass demand for mechanical cameras anymore.

⚠️ Warning: Don't try to disassemble the camera mechanism yourself without special tools and skills. The plumes in these models are extremely thin and easily break when handled carelessly.

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The purchase of Xiaomi with a retractable camera in 2026 is justified only for collectors or fans of frameless screens, ready for possible repairs of the mechanism.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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When buying a used model, be sure to check the work of NFC. In some restored instances, the antenna module can be damaged or replaced with a low-quality counterpart.