Xiaomi 16: Release Date, Price & Specs Rumours

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 rumours suggest Xiaomi could launch a new 16 Pro Max model and introduce an innovation camera technology for continuous optical zoom.

When will the Xiaomi 16 series be released?

Unlike the last two sets of Xiaomi phones, which saw last year’s crop unveiled in October 2024 and the previous range unveiled in November 2023, Xiaomi is bringing the debut of its latest flagship handsets forward even further, with the latest rumours now pointing towards an official September announcement, namely between 24-26 September.

Even though the reveal is happening sooner than before, there’s no word yet on Xiaomi bucking its typical release schedule of having its phones debut in China shortly after being announced, with a global release pencilled in for the first few months of the following year. With that in mind, Xiaomi fans in the UK could still be waiting until February/March 2026 before getting their hands on one of the new Xiaomi 16 devices.

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 from 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.

Source: Digital Chat Station via Weibo

How much will the Xiaomi 16 series cost?

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 whether we will get the Xiaomi 16 Pro model in the UK and Europe. Going by previous years, the answer is no, 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?

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.

Another interesting element is the notion of a new ‘Pro Max’ model, which would mimic the typical iPhone naming pattern. This comes via Digital Chat Station who mentioned it in the comments of a post talking about the design and sizes of the phones. However, it’s possible Xiaomi is simply replacing the Ultra with the Pro Max.

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 render below 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 to be durable, 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 come with an optional Photography Kit to stand out from other photography-focused phones once again.

Chris Martin / Foundry

However, the source mentioned above suggesting there might be a Pro Max model includes a selection of camera module designs which look very different to previous Xiaomi flagships.

They look far more like iPhone camera modules and are tipped for the Pro series, which doesn’t normally launch in the UK.

Digital Chat Station

Sources: Weibo | Maijinbu Official

Display

While the jury is still out on the other two phones, a recent Xiaomi 16 leak seems to all but confirm that a 6.3-inch LPTO OLED display is on the horizon, but what’s more impressive is that it’s reported to pack a 1.5K resolution.

This could be a huge win for anyone who likes to watch a bit of Netflix or Disney+ on their phone, as it’ll allow the handset to depict greater detail than before, allowing for a more eye-catching experience.

Another 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, with the potential for 3200 nits of peak brightness as well.

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