Barely three months after the domestic launch of the Xiaomi 15 and Xiaomi 15 Pro, whispers about Xiaomi's next-generation flagship, the Xiaomi 16 series, have begun to surface online. According to exclusive reports from foreign media, the Xiaomi 16 and Xiaomi 16 Pro are poised to make a grand entrance in the final quarter of this year, promising a slew of highly anticipated upgrades.

Firstly, the latest leaks indicate that the iterative flagship phones scheduled for release around October will shift to a flat screen design and incorporate LIPO technology, marking the departure of the once ubiquitous full-depth curved screen from the flagship stage.

Numerous netizens have expressed keen interest in the Xiaomi 16 series, with many stating they would definitely purchase it if it features a flat screen.

Currently, Xiaomi's digital series flagships offer two distinct screen designs: the standard edition sports a flat screen, while the Pro and Ultra editions boast 2K full-depth curved screens. Given the latest leaks, it appears that both the Xiaomi 16 and Xiaomi 16 Pro will adopt a flat screen design.

Moreover, this wave of flagship releases will embrace a novel LIPO technology, an innovative screen encapsulation process that optimizes the display driver chip and circuit layout to minimize the screen bezel width, thereby achieving an even higher screen-to-body ratio.

Traditional COG and COF encapsulation technologies typically place the driver chip at the screen's edge, necessitating additional space for the chip and signal wiring. In contrast, LIPO technology reduces bezel space occupation by further folding or concealing the chip behind the screen. This saved space enables a significant reduction in screen bezel width, resulting in an ultra-narrow bezel design.

Renowned technology analyst Ming-Chi Kuo recently shared news indicating that industry surveys predict Xiaomi will adopt a 3D printed metal mid-frame for the Xiaomi 16 Pro model set to be released this year.

The advantage of 3D printing for mobile phone mid-frames lies in its ability to utilize hollow designs that reduce frame weight without compromising strength. Additionally, 3D printing allows for complex internal structures, difficult to achieve with traditional techniques, through hollow and thin-wall designs, thereby enhancing heat dissipation.

Ming-Chi Kuo believes Xiaomi's adoption of 3D printing technology for mobile phone metal mid-frames signifies an accelerating trend in the industry. While 3D printing is already utilized in some mobile phones, notably for the hinges of foldable screen phones like the Honor Magic Vs3 and OPPO Find N5, its application to mid-frames is a new frontier.

Reflecting on the history of the consumer electronics industry, few believed CNC technology could play a significant role before Apple applied it to the unibody metal casing of the MacBook. Similarly, 3D printing technology in mobile phone mid-frames is poised to open a new chapter. If the Xiaomi 16 Pro indeed adopts a 3D printed mid-frame, it will serve as a crucial reference for manufacturing process innovation in the mobile industry, and it will be intriguing to see if other brands follow suit.

In terms of performance, the Xiaomi 16 series is set to be equipped with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 (SM8850), which upgrades to TSMC's N3P process technology, offering improved energy efficiency and transistor density compared to N3E.

Compared to N3E, N3P provides a performance boost of approximately 4% at the same power consumption and a power consumption reduction of roughly 9% at the same clock frequency, accompanied by a 4% increase in transistor density. TSMC has stated that the N3P node yield has been further enhanced, comparable to the mature 5nm process.

Furthermore, the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 continues the cluster design of the Snapdragon 8 Elite, configured as 2P+6E with increased clock speeds. Coupled with the power of the Oryon CPU architecture, performance and energy efficiency are expected to reach new heights, making the Xiaomi 16 series a balanced flagship that excels in both feel and performance.

Moreover, the Xiaomi 16 standard edition will incorporate a periscope telephoto lens to address its telephoto photography shortcomings, while the Pro version might feature the 200-megapixel main camera from the Xiaomi 15 Ultra, further bolstering its photography capabilities.

Regarding the sensor for the Xiaomi 15's periscope telephoto lens, speculations abound pointing to the Sony IMX858. The Sony IMX858 has appeared in several Xiaomi flagship models, boasting a sensor size of 1/2.51 inches and 50 million pixels. It is the first secondary camera sensor to support Sony's new-generation multi-camera collaboration system, featuring a full-size AF (autofocus) design that enables more precise and rapid focusing in low-light conditions.

In terms of battery, the Xiaomi 16 standard edition's capacity may increase to 6000mAh, while the Pro version will offer 7000mAh, marking a significant boost compared to the Xiaomi 15 Pro's 6100mAh. Additionally, the entire Xiaomi 16 series will support ultrasonic fingerprint recognition.

Compared to the Xiaomi 15 series, this represents a substantial upgrade. For reference, the Xiaomi 15 is equipped with a 5400mAh battery, while the Xiaomi 15 Pro features a 6100mAh battery. If foreign media reports are accurate, the Xiaomi 16 standard edition's battery capacity will increase by 600mAh, and the Pro version by 900mAh. While this is a commendable start, foreign media analysis underscores the importance of Xiaomi's device optimization, which will directly impact the user experience.

This upgrade will undoubtedly provide users with a more enduring battery life, effortlessly handling daily tasks, heavy gaming, video playback, and other scenarios. Beyond the battery capacity increase, Xiaomi's device optimization is equally noteworthy, as it will significantly influence the user's actual experience.

Furthermore, based on previous information, the Xiaomi 16 will continue to use a 6.36-inch small screen design, while the Xiaomi 16 Pro may adopt a 6.8-inch large screen design, solidifying its flagship market positioning. With the addition of the periscope telephoto lens, the phone's overall weight may slightly increase. To maintain a slim design and prevent excessive camera module protrusion, Xiaomi might employ a new periscope structure to reduce the camera module's thickness.

Finally, the new product is slated to debut in October, coinciding with the release of the iPhone 17 series in September, making it a highly anticipated event.

Incidentally, as of March 2, the Xiaomi 15 series has achieved cumulative activations exceeding 3.04 million units, making it the highest-selling flagship series among domestic mobile phones. It remains to be seen if this momentum will carry over to the Xiaomi 16 series. However, it is certain that OPPO and vivo will invest more resources to compete with Xiaomi in the small screen market.

From a market perspective, small screen flagships are immensely popular among consumers. Dissatisfied with flagship-castrated standard models, people desire small screen phones that maintain flagship standards in other specifications. The Xiaomi 16 standard edition, fulfilling these requirements, is undoubtedly a strong contender for the title of the best small screen flagship.

If you have any thoughts on the latest Xiaomi 16 exposure, feel free to share them in the comments section and join Mingmei Unlimited in the discussion!