Xiaomi 16: In summary
- Xiaomi’s upcoming range of flagship smartphones
- Set to arrive in China in October followed by a global launch early 2026
- UK/Europe likely to miss out on the Pro model again
- Upgrades tipped for screen, cameras, battery, charging and more
The Xiaomi 15 series arrived this year to rave reviews, but, as usual in the world of phones, thoughts and eyes turn to what the next models will bring.
That will be the Xiaomi 16 series, of course, and there possibly isn’t too long to wait until we see them officially, though this will just be their initial launch in China.
These are among Tech Advisor’s favourite phones outside of Google Pixel and Samsung Galaxy and there are big shoes to fill. However, the Xiaomi 16 series is shaping up nicely, with various upgrades being rumoured from cameras to big batteries.
Here’s everything we know so far about the phones from rumours, leaks with our expert analysis and predictions.
Latest Xiaomi 16 rumours
The latest rumour sheds some light on Xiaomi’s plans for the 16 Ultra camera set up, moving from a quad-rear setup to a triple array.
When will the Xiaomi 16 series be released?
In summary
- Initial Chinese launch likely to take place in October or November
- Global launch will be months later, early in 2026
- 1 March is a likely date for an event at MWC
The Xiaomi 16 series is expected to launch in late 2025, as the company typically follows an annual release cycle for its flagship phones.
The Chinese launch could take place in October 2025 or November if Xiaomi goes a bit later than normal. However, Xiaomi often delays the global release by several months, so international availability might not occur until early 2026.
Tech Advisor attended both launch events for the Xiaomi 14 and Xiaomi 15 series at MWC (Mobile World Congress) in Barcelona, typically held at the end of February/early March.
It would seem reasonable, then, that this is when we can expect the global launch of the Xiaomi 16, too.
In 2026, MWC is due to take place 2-5 March, so that would place Xiaomi’s launch event on 1 March, the day before the show starts, which is the typical strategy.
How much will the Xiaomi 16 series cost?
In summary
- Similar pricing expected
- The range could start from £899 again
We’ll have to wait for the Xiaomi 16 launch to get an idea of pricing, and even then, the global pricing will likely differ from the Chinese figures converted.
However, we can estimate the cost based on previous models and the competition.
Here’s a look at the expected price range for the Chinese market with conversions:
- Xiaomi 16: Starting from around CNY 4,500 (£515/$630).
- Xiaomi 16 Pro: Around CNY 5,300 (£600/$740).
- Xiaomi 16 Ultra: Likely starting at CNY 6,500 (£730/$910).
For global pricing, we expect similar pricing. Here are approximate global prices based on previous launches:
- Xiaomi 16: £899/€999
- Xiaomi 16 Pro: £1,099/€1,299 (if it launches)
- Xiaomi 16 Ultra: £1,299/€1,499
Will we get the Xiaomi 16 Pro?
One of the questions, as ever, is we will get the Xiaomi 16 Pro model in the UK and Europe? Going by previous years, the answer is n,o but we’re still hoping that Xiaomi changes its mind on this and provides more choice. This might be wishful thinking, however.
Here are the global launch prices of previous generations:
What specs and features will the Xiaomi 16 series have?
In summary
- Similar design, with leaked two-tone design
- Possibly the first phones with new flagship Snapgragon processor
- Much bigger battery is tipped, along with even faster charging
- Regular model reportedly getting a periscope lens
Most rumours about the Xiaomi 16 series so far relate to the regular model, including upgrades to the screen, battery and charging. There’s also a leaked render showing a possible two-tone design.
Some of these upgrades, including a new Snapdragon processor, will apply to the Ultra model as well. Details on this model are thin on the ground, but we’ll keep an eye out going forward.
Forget the Galaxy S25 Edge – Xiaomi knows what I want from a small phone
Design
The Xiaomi 16 series could maintain the sleek and premium design of its predecessors, featuring ultra-thin bezels and quad-curved edges.
The introduction of a periscope telephoto camera on the standard Xiaomi 16 is a notable rumour, potentially elevating its design to compete with flagship rivals like the Vivo X200 and Oppo Find X8.
The below render shows a possible two-tone design for the Xiaomi 16, but it’s early days for such a render, so we’ll take this with a pinch of salt. It could also be just one of many finishes that Xiaomi offers, as it’s not like many rivals, where it’s simply colours that change.
The design looks like it could be a metal uni-body similar to the OnePlus Nord 4, but this would mean wireless charging isn’t possible so that feels an unlikely move.
Majinbu Official
Materials such as Dragon Crystal Glass are expected for durability, along with IP68 water and dust resistance. The Pro and Ultra models may offer unique finishes, including leather textures or metal frames for a premium look.
Whether we get all the colourways in the UK and Europe is another question. The options are typically more limited compared to China.
The Ultra is likely to keep a similar design, featuring a large round camera module to house no less than four cameras. It should also once again come with an optional Photography Kit to stand out from other photography-focused phones.
Chris Martin / Foundry
Sources: Weibo | Maijinbu Official
Display
The Xiaomi 16 could feature a 6.36-inch OLED panel with 120Hz refresh rate and a peak brightness of 3200 nits, ensuring vibrant visuals even in direct sunlight.
While it’s likely to stick around the 6.3-inch size to keep the handset compact (though one rumour suggests it will grow to an unspecified size), a key upgrade is rumoured as it might have the best PWM dimming (or related eye-preserving technology) in its size class.
It could go above the 1920Hz PWM Dimming at low brightness feature of the Xiaomi 15.
Jon Mundy / Foundry
The Pro and Ultra variants may step up to a 6.7-inch LTPO OLED display with a 1440p resolution and adaptive refresh rates for smoother performance.
Sources: Smart Pikachu | Smart Pikachu (2)
Performance
The Xiaomi 16 series is expected to debut the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2 chipset, which Qualcomm is set to unveil in September.
This powerful processor should deliver significant performance improvements, coupled with 12- or 16GB of RAM and UFS 4.0 storage options ranging from 256GB to 1TB.
Cameras
A standout rumour is the inclusion of periscope telephoto cameras across the entire Xiaomi 16 lineup. This would help it compete with the regular Pixel 10, which is set to get a telephoto for the first time.
The Xiaomi 16 is expected to feature a 50Mp triple-camera setup, including a main sensor, an ultrawide camera, and the newly added periscope telephoto lens. This represents a significant upgrade over its predecessor.
Jon Mundy / Foundry
The Pro version is said to benefit from Leica’s camera tuning expertise, with a 5x optical zoom capability and enhanced computational photography features. The Ultra model is expected to push the boundaries further with a 1-inch main sensor and a 200Mp periscope telephoto camera offering 4.3x magnification.
While it would seem a reasonable bet to predict the 16 Ultra will stick to four rear cameras, a leak now suggests the phone will drop one camera in order to focus on quality and not quantity.
Instead of two cameras for ultrawide and mid-range optical zoom, the company will reportedly opt for an “extremely capable third camera”, though the specs are currently unknown.
A 32Mp front-facing camera is likely to be retained for all models.
Xiaomi’s collaboration with Leica on imaging will continue, as confirmed by CEO Lei Jun, who said “Xiaomi and Leica have been and will continue to be close partners. I am very confident that Xiaomi 16Ultra will be a new height of mobile imaging, so stay tuned.”
Battery & Charging
This is an area where the Xiaomi 16 could get a huge upgrade, compared to both its predecessor and rivals.
It seems the battery size will increase, though rumours suggest both 6800- and 7000mAh capacities. Just note that Chinese models often get a downsized battery for the global version.
The Xiaomi 15, for example, was 5400mAh in China but 5240mAh elsewhere.
Chris Martin / Foundry
This could still be in a “light and thin body”, suggesting Xiaomi will utilise silicon-carbon technology here. This would make it 75% larger than the Galaxy S25, which is a little mindblowing.
Charging is also set to improve with possible 100W wired charging, up from an already impressive 90W.
For the 16 Ultra, a whopping 7000-7500mAh battery is tipped
Sources: Smart Pikachu | Digital Chat Station | Wiebo
Software
The Xiaomi 16 series will likely run on HyperOS 3, based on Android 16. This software promises enhanced performance, seamless device integration, and AI-driven features.
What exactly it will feature remains to be seen, but Tech Advisor hopes it continues to get cleaned up, less cluttered and more intuitive.
That’s all we know about the Xiaomi 16 series of phones so far, but we’ll update this article when more news drops, leaks or official, in the weeks and months leading up to the launch.
In the meantime, see our guides to the best phones and the best Xiaomi phones to see what the Xiaomi 16 series will be up against.
