Xiaomi is reportedly preparing to equip its upcoming flagship, the Xiaomi 16, with a periscope telephoto lens. This long-awaited addition would address a major shortcoming of its predecessor, the Xiaomi 15, which lacked this advanced zoom technology.
The periscope lens, known for bending light at a 90-degree angle, allows for superior optical zoom without compromising image quality. If the rumors are true, this upgrade could significantly enhance the Xiaomi 16’s camera capabilities, making it a strong contender in the premium smartphone market.
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 likely 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 4610 mAh battery with 90W wired fast charging, and a 50MP triple-camera system with Leica optics.
Xiaomi plans 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 feature a 6.7-inch LTPO OLED display boasting a 120Hz refresh rate and a micro-curved design. Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset will reportedly power it 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 will likely house a robust 6,000 mAh battery with support for 90W wired and 80W wireless charging. Rumors suggest that the Xiaomi 15 Ultra will include an under-display ultrasonic fingerprint scanner for faster unlocking.