Xiaomi is Making a Phone With No Buttons, Coming in 2025

Rumors are circulating that Xiaomi is developing a buttonless smartphone, codenamed “Zhuque,” slated for release in the first half of next year. As its name suggests, the phone’s most notable feature will be its lack of physical buttons.

While details are scarce, the source of the leak could not confirm what would replace traditional buttons. Speculation points to a combination of gesture controls, pressure-sensitive edges, or voice commands as potential alternatives. Huawei’s implementation with the P30 Pro included virtual side buttons where you would have to double-tap either side of the phone to adjust the volume.

In addition to its buttonless design, the Zhuque is rumored to feature an under-display selfie camera, which Xiaomi hopes will outperform Samsung’s attempts in this arena.

Qualcomm’s upcoming Snapdragon 8+ Gen 4 SoC will power the device, also expected to be found in the Xiaomi 15S Pro, slated for release between April and June 2025. The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 4 is believed to be an enhanced version of the standard 8 Gen 4, expected to debut this October.

It remains to be seen whether the Zhuque will capture the hearts of consumers or become another niche experiment like the Meizu Zero, a phone that quickly faded into obscurity.

Xiaomi is reportedly producing a tri-folding phone similar to Huawei’s upcoming device. It is expected to fall under the Xiaomi Mix lineup and will be showcased next year in February, as per rumors.