Xiaomi 16 Series Tipped to Launch in Late September With New Qualcomm Chip
Chinese smartphone maker Xiaomi is reportedly preparing to launch its next flagship smartphone lineup, the Xiaomi 16 series, in late September 2025, according to a local media report. The new devices are expected to be the first to feature Qualcomm's next-generation high-end processor, setting the stage for the year-end competition in the premium smartphone market.
According to a report published by Chinese tech outlet TechWeb on September 5, 2025, which cited the well-known tech blogger “Digital Chat Station,” the launch event for the new series is anticipated to take place between September 24 and September 26.
The centerpiece of the Xiaomi 16 series is expected to be the global debut of the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset. The processor is reportedly built on Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company's (TSMC) third-generation 3-nanometer N3P process. It is said to feature a CPU architecture with two ultra-large cores clocked at 4.61GHz and six large cores at 3.63GHz, making it Qualcomm’s highest-frequency mobile chip to date. The chipset will also integrate an Adreno 840 GPU.
The initial release will reportedly include at least two models: the Xiaomi 16 and Xiaomi 16 Pro. The standard Xiaomi 16 is said to feature a 6.3-inch flat display with extremely narrow bezels, while the Pro model is expected to sport a more prominent camera module housing a Leica co-engineered triple-camera system.
A significant upgrade is expected in battery capacity, with the report suggesting the Xiaomi 16 will surpass 6000mAh and the Xiaomi 16 Pro will be equipped with a 7500mAh battery. Both models will reportedly support 100W wired and 50W wireless fast charging. On the software front, the phones are expected to ship with HyperOS 3.0, which may introduce a new interactive notification feature similar to Apple's Dynamic Island.
The rumored launch and specifications, if accurate, position the Xiaomi 16 series as a strong contender in the high-end smartphone segment. Securing the exclusive debut of the new Snapdragon chip could provide Xiaomi with a temporary competitive advantage over rivals preparing their own year-end flagships.