Xiaomi reportedly patents clamshell flip phone

According to GSMArena, the company has patented a device at Chinese National Intellectual Property Association (CNIPA) with a design similar to a certain Samsung phone -- two cameras and a tiny horizontal display on the cover.

 This new flip phone will also have a pill-shaped punch hole on the inside for dual front-facing cameras, the report said. 

 The bottom is occupied by the SIM slot, a USB-C, and a speaker grill, while the power key and volume rocker are on the right-hand side, it added.

 A lot of other smartphone brands, including Motorola, Huawei and Samsung already have products in this category.

 Recently, Huawei has unveiled a clamshell-style folding smartphone -- P50 Pocket -- that comes with a circular, 1-inch external display for quick access to notifications and widgets.

 Meanwhile, a recent report by GizmoChina said that Lenovo-owned Motorola is working on the third-generation Moto Razr flip foldable smartphone.