Xiaomi continues to expand its flagship numbered series with the anticipated introduction of new models this year. Following last year’s launch of the Xiaomi 15, Xiaomi 15 Pro, and Xiaomi 15 Ultra—of which only the Xiaomi 15 and Xiaomi 15 Ultra were made available in India—rumors suggest that the company plans to unveil two Pro variants alongside a standard model and the Ultra version this time around. A new addition has emerged, tentatively named the Xiaomi 16 Pro Mini, and fresh details about this compact flagship have surfaced.
According to a recent post by the tipster Digital Chat Station on Weibo, Xiaomi is developing a new 16 Pro variant that is expected to be smaller than the traditional Pro model. While specific dimensions are not yet available, the source indicates that the new device will feature a 6.3-inch display, in contrast to the larger 6.8-inch screen of the regular Pro version.
A notable change appears to be in the design of the rear camera module. Reports indicate that both Pro variants will sport large horizontal camera modules that may cover approximately one-third of the rear panel, reminiscent of the design Apple is expected to adopt for its iPhone 17 Pro models.
In terms of photography capabilities, both the standard Xiaomi 16 Pro and the more compact Xiaomi 16 Pro Mini are rumored to incorporate a periscope telephoto camera.
The tipster also provided a visual representation showcasing various glass treatments and camera layouts that might be featured in the upcoming Xiaomi 16 Pro models. The outlined camera module cutouts suggest there will be three cameras, along with additional cutouts designated for microphones and other sensors. Varying textures and clarity can be observed, with some designs including black rings or lens protectors for the embedded cameras.
While anticipation builds around the release of this new compact flagship, questions linger regarding Xiaomi’s strategy. The introduction of a Pro Mini model raises concerns about potential overlapping features with the standard model that has the same display dimensions. It is conceivable that Xiaomi aims to differentiate the two models by opting to omit certain features or camera capabilities from the standard version. Currently, the Xiaomi 15 comes equipped with three 50-megapixel rear cameras, leading to speculation that the Xiaomi 16 might offer only two cameras, while the 16 Pro Mini may retain three.
