In the realm of smartphones, critics have often remarked that Apple has been "milking the cow" when it comes to iPhone innovation in recent years. However, this lack of fresh ideas isn't exclusive to Apple; several leading manufacturers find themselves in a similar bind. Despite this general slowdown, Apple remains the beacon for imitation. The notch screen was a prime example in the past, and now, the spotlight has shifted to the Dynamic Island design. Intriguingly, Apple wasn't the pioneer of this design; it too is an imitator, albeit a highly influential one. It wasn't until the iPhone 14 Pro introduced the Dynamic Island that users fully appreciated its human-computer interaction benefits.

Consequently, domestic smartphones have gradually incorporated the Dynamic Island design, mirroring the iPhone's interactive features. Xiaomi has now joined this trend. A recent online rumor has sparked heated debate. The source described a phone design reminiscent of the iPhone 17 series, without directly mentioning Xiaomi or even hinting at it subtly. The accompanying image was, in fact, of the iPhone 17 series.

However, it was the final "~" symbol that instantly clued many in that the rumor was indeed about Xiaomi 16. The implication was cleverly concealed, requiring keen observation to uncover. Given the rumormonger's past practice of posting Apple device images while actually revealing Xiaomi products, most users' judgments seem plausible. If the rumor proves true, Xiaomi 16 and iPhone 17 will share striking design similarities, differing only by name.

Certainly, if Xiaomi 16 follows this path, it can be seen as a trend-follower. The exterior design may be easy to mimic, but whether it will include corresponding interactive features is another matter entirely. Personally, I don't believe achieving this is overly challenging. After all, even 3nm chips have been designed, and domestic competitors are already capable of such feats. There's no reason Xiaomi can't excel in this area. The upside is enhanced human-computer interaction, but the downside is the persistent stigma of imitation in users' minds.

Nonetheless, there are signs indicating design changes for Xiaomi 16. Recent online rumors revealed two mysterious models listed in the GSMA IMEI database, leading many to speculate they were new Xiaomi 16 series phones. The source also claimed to have handled the handboard (likely a prototype), which is highly recognizable. Overall, netizens' speculations appear reasonable.

Previous reports suggested that the K90 series would not only launch earlier but would also boast a significant upgrade in imaging capabilities, leading some to believe it would overshadow Xiaomi 16. However, it now seems that Xiaomi 16's adoption of the Dynamic Island design will be crucial in distinguishing it from the K90 series (primarily the Pro version). When Apple introduced the Dynamic Island on the iPhone 14 Pro, it aimed to minimize the impact of the punch-hole on users' perception of screen imperfection, gradually making the Dynamic Island feel like an integral part of the system's functionality. It appears domestic smartphone manufacturers share this vision.

Will you embrace Xiaomi 16 with its Dynamic Island design?