Xiaomi 16: The Xiaomi 16 is set to be one of the most eagerly awaited smartphone releases of the year. Following the success of the Xiaomi 15 series, the new Xiaomi 16 will allegedly feature a host of major upgrades. The phone will allegedly launch in China sometime before September 2025 and may arrive as the first smartphone powered by Qualcomm’s unannounced Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 processor.
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Expected September Release With Flagship Features
A well-known Chinese tipster known as Smart Pikachu broke the news that Xiaomi 16 is expected to roll out in September. It should maintain the tiny form factor of its previous version. Astonishingly enough, Xiaomi is opting for refinement over reinvention this time around. The 16 can feature a 6.32-inch display, but hardly smaller than the 6.36-inch display on the Xiaomi 15. Without extra length, the users will get outstanding high-end photos with an LTPO display and a 1.5K screen.
Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 Might Head the Performance Pack
Most exciting news, perhaps, is that Xiaomi 16 is said to be the first phone to come with Qualcomm’s new Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 processor. While this processor has yet to be announced, word is that it will see a 30% GPU boost and a 25% CPU boost compared to the previous generation. It may also bring along 16MB GPU cache and support for LPDDR6 RAM and LPDDR5X RAM, putting Android smartphones on a whole different level of performance.
Massive Battery Overhaul to Be the Pride of Successor of Old Model
Another feature rumored to debut on the Xiaomi 16 is the battery. Rumored to have an awesome 6,800mAh battery, not much of an improvement from the Xiaomi 15’s 5,400mAh one. The phone is also said to feature support for 100W wired fast charging, which could mean faster top-ups and longer battery life, particularly for heavy users who use battery life all day.
Camera and Software: Aging but Enhanced
Camera-wise, Xiaomi can retain the tried and tested Leica-supported 50MP triple camera setup, which may also feature a telephoto sensor to further boost zooming. While it will not be a quantum improvement over the Xiaomi 15, it should bring robust photography abilities. The phone is also said to come with HyperOS 3, which runs on Android 16, bringing a new and silky smooth software experience.
Verdict: A Mini Flagship with Significant Upgrades
The Xiaomi 16 is a mini powerhouse with performance, battery, and software upgrades. If the Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 lives up to its promise, and Xiaomi delivers the battery upgrades hinted at, this phone can be a new standard for flagship smartphones under 7 inches. September cannot arrive soon enough for Xiaomi enthusiasts.
