Xiaomi is gearing up to refresh its flagship lineup earlier than expected this year. According to recent leaks, the upcoming Xiaomi 16 series could launch by late September, making it the first set of smartphones powered by Qualcomm’s next-generation Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset. This marks an upgrade over last year’s Xiaomi 15 series, which debuted in October.
Expected Launch Timeline
As per renowned Chinese tipster Digital Chat Station (DCS) on Weibo, Xiaomi may unveil the Xiaomi 16 lineup between September 24 and September 26, 2025. This launch window aligns closely with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Summit 2025, scheduled to begin on September 23 in Hawaii. The event will introduce the company’s most powerful processor yet — the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (or Snapdragon 8 Elite 2). Xiaomi is expected to be the first smartphone maker to feature this chipset in its devices.
Xiaomi 16 Series: Models and Variants
The Xiaomi 16 family is rumored to include:
- Xiaomi 16
- Xiaomi 16 Pro
- Xiaomi 16 Pro Mini
All three models are tipped to come equipped with the Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, offering cutting-edge performance for gaming, multitasking, and AI-driven features.
Key Specifications and Features
Leaks suggest that the entire Xiaomi 16 lineup has already cleared 3C certification in China, confirming support for 100W wired fast charging. This ensures ultra-fast power top-ups, making them some of the fastest-charging flagship smartphones on the market. Additionally, the devices are expected to ship with HyperOS 3.0, Xiaomi’s latest custom Android-based software, offering smoother animations, advanced AI tools, and improved system efficiency.
Conclusion
The Xiaomi 16 series is shaping up to be a powerful upgrade, combining Qualcomm’s newest flagship chipset, HyperOS 3.0, and lightning-fast charging technology. If the leaks hold true, we may see Xiaomi beat its competitors to market by being the first to launch with the Snapdragon 8 Elite processor
