Xiaomi 16 Pro series tipped to launch with a compact phone soon

Xiaomi is gearing up to enhance its portfolio of compact flagship smartphones with the anticipated launch of the Xiaomi 16 Pro series. Since the introduction of the Xiaomi 12, the company has embraced smaller display sizes in its main series, consistently keeping screens below 6.3 inches. Recent insights from the well-known tipster Digital Chat Station (DCS) indicate that this trend will continue with the new 16 Pro series, which will also introduce a larger Pro Max variant. According to a recent report shared on Weibo, the Xiaomi 16 Pro series is expected to feature at least two models: the Xiaomi 16 Pro and the Xiaomi 16 Pro Max. The Xiaomi 16 Pro is likely to maintain its compact design with an approximate screen size of 6.3 inches, similar to its predecessor, the Xiaomi 15. On the other hand, the Pro Max will boast a significantly larger display at 6.8 inches. Additionally, the standard Xiaomi 16 model may also incorporate a 6.3-inch screen, adhering to the compact design philosophy. The overall Xiaomi 16 series is projected to include four models: Xiaomi 16, Xiaomi 16 Pro, Xiaomi 16 Pro Max, and Xiaomi 16 Ultra. These devices are anticipated to debut early next year, coinciding with the launch of the Xiaomi 15 Ultra, which features a larger display. In terms of design, the Xiaomi 16 and 16 Pro models are expected to present different rear panel styles. The standard Xiaomi 16 may retain a camera island design reminiscent of the Xiaomi 15 but will likely feature an updated back panel texture. In contrast, the 16 Pro and Pro Max are predicted to showcase a substantial camera module that could cover about one-third of the rear surface. DCS has also shared an image suggesting that the camera arrangement on the Xiaomi 16 Pro series might bear similarities to the upcoming iPhone 17 Pro, featuring a large rectangular camera module. This design echoes that of the Xiaomi 11 Ultra, which utilized a sizable rectangular camera housing along with a secondary display on the back. Furthermore, the Xiaomi 16 Pro and Pro Max are expected to include a periscope zoom camera, while the standard Xiaomi 16 will likely stick with a traditional telephoto lens akin to those found in the Xiaomi 14 and 15 models. This indicates that the higher-end variants will provide enhanced zoom capabilities. On the processing side, all models in the Xiaomi 16 series could be powered by Qualcomm’s upcoming Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 chipset, which is slated for release in September 2025. Previous rumors have suggested that the Xiaomi 16 may come equipped with a 6,800mAh battery and support for 100W fast charging, potentially making it one of the first devices to utilize the new Snapdragon chip.