Tech Desk 
Dec 30, 2024
Xiaomi is purportedly working to feature its upcoming flagship smartphone, the Xiaomi 16, with a periscope telephoto lens. The most anticipated addition would address a significant shortcoming of its predecessor, the Xiaomi 15, which lacked this improved zoom technology.
The periscope lens is famous for bending light at a 90-degree angle, providing superior optical zoom without compromising image quality. If the rumours are true, this upgrade could improve the Xiaomi 16’s camera capabilities, making it a strong contender in the premium smartphone market.
Xiaomi 16 compact design
Xiaomi is expected to retain the popular 6.36-inch compact screen size for the Xiaomi 16, a design choice that has been well-received since the Xiaomi 13. This compact form factor sets the device apart from many larger flagship smartphones, appealing to users who prefer a more pocket-friendly option.
While details about the Xiaomi 16 remain scarce, it is said to build on the strong foundation of the Xiaomi 15, which featured a 1.5K AMOLED flat TCL C8 LTPO display, the powerful Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, a 4,610 mAh battery with 90W wired fast charging, and a 50MP triple-camera system with Leica optics.
Xiaomi 15 Ultra
In addition, Xiaomi is planning to launch the Xiaomi 15 Ultra alongside the Xiaomi 16, with an expected debut in China immediately following the 2025 Chinese New Year, likely in February.
The Xiaomi 15 Ultra will sport a 6.7-inch LTPO OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and a micro-curved design.
The handset will be powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset and run on Android 15-based HyperOS 2.
The device is expected to include a quad-camera system with 50MP, 50MP, 50MP, and 200MP sensors, offering top-notch photography capabilities.
Additionally, it is expected to house a 6,000 mAh battery supporting 90W wired and 80W wireless charging.
According to the rumours, the Xiaomi 15 Ultra will include an under-display ultrasonic fingerprint scanner for faster unlocking.
