Later this month, Qualcomm is expected to announce its next-generation flagship mobile chipset. While much of the industry has been referring to it as the Snapdragon 8 Elite 2, there’s also a possibility that Qualcomm will align the naming with its existing convention and call it the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5.
Whatever the final name may be, the chip is already generating significant anticipation, as it will power some of the biggest flagship phones of 2025. Chief among these is Xiaomi’s upcoming 16 series, which is expected to debut shortly after Qualcomm’s unveiling.
The Xiaomi 16 family will reportedly consist of three models: the Xiaomi 16, Xiaomi 16 Pro, and Xiaomi 16 Pro Max. All three are set to run on the new Snapdragon chip and ship with Xiaomi’s latest software, HyperOS 3.
This update will replace MIUI across global markets, providing a cleaner, more refined interface designed to match the company’s hardware ambitions.
In the latest development, a leaked image has surfaced online showcasing one of the Xiaomi 16 series models. The source is none other than Ice Universe, one of the most reliable and prolific leakers in the smartphone industry. The image gives us a clear look at the front of the device, which will feature the company’s most ambitious display design yet.
The phone in the image sports incredibly thin, symmetrical bezels that Xiaomi is claiming are the narrowest in the history of smartphones. That’s no small statement in an industry where design refinements are often incremental. Symmetry has long been a challenge in display manufacturing, and Xiaomi seems to be setting a new bar in this regard.
Additionally, the corners of the display are more curved than any smartphone currently on the market — even more so than Apple’s upcoming iPhone 17 Pro, which is rumored to have significantly rounded corners itself. According to the leak, this creates a softer, almost “organic” appearance that blends seamlessly with the phone’s overall frame.
For anyone confused about Xiaomi’s naming scheme, here’s how things stand: the Xiaomi 16 and 16 Pro will both have the same overall dimensions. The standard model will be slightly less powerful, while the Pro version will feature upgraded specs such as better cameras and display technology.
The 16 Pro Max, on the other hand, will essentially be a larger variant of the Pro, designed for users who want maximum screen real estate without compromising on premium features.
This strategy mirrors what Apple and Google have done with their own flagship families, offering both smaller “Pro” devices for those who value compactness and larger “Max” or “Pro Max” devices for those who prioritize display size.
By following this path, Xiaomi is acknowledging the growing demand for compact yet powerful flagship smartphones while also catering to large-screen enthusiasts.
The Xiaomi 16 series is shaping up to be one of the first — if not the first — smartphones to hit the market powered by Qualcomm’s upcoming Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5. This chip is rumored to bring major improvements in CPU and GPU efficiency, AI processing, and power management, all of which should translate into significant performance gains for everyday users.
With competitors like Samsung, Oppo, and vivo also preparing their own Snapdragon 8 Elite devices, Xiaomi will be keen to gain an early lead by launching shortly after Qualcomm’s announcement.
The leaked design suggests Xiaomi isn’t just relying on raw performance — the company also wants to stand out as a design leader, offering one of the most futuristic and premium-looking smartphones available.
While Xiaomi has yet to officially confirm the leak, the image aligns with previous rumors about the brand’s design ambitions for 2025. If the claims about bezels and curved corners hold true, the Xiaomi 16 series could mark a new benchmark for smartphone design, rivaling — and potentially surpassing — the likes of Samsung and Apple.
With the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 under the hood, HyperOS 3 running the show, and a bold new design direction, the Xiaomi 16 family is shaping up to be one of the most exciting smartphone launches of the year.
We won’t have to wait long for confirmation either — Qualcomm’s unveiling is just around the corner, and Xiaomi is rumored to follow closely behind with its big reveal.
