Highlights
- Xiaomi 16 series features ultra-thin bezels and the roundest display corners ever seen, enabled by LIPO technology.
- The Xiaomi 16 Pro is tipped to include a 6,300mAh battery and a larger main camera sensor.
- While Xiaomi pushes for a near bezel-less aesthetic, Samsung’s S26 Ultra adopts softer corners but retains its angular identity.
Caption – Xiaomi 16 front render. (Image credit – @UniverseIce on X)
New leaks are offering a closer look at Xiaomi’s upcoming Xiaomi 16 series. Popular tipster Ice Universe has shared renders of the Xiaomi 16, highlighting its bold design changes that focus on bezels, corners, and front-end aesthetics. The series is expected to debut in late September 2025 and it appears to push the boundaries of screen-to-body ratio. Here’s what we know.
Xiaomi 16 Renders
According to Ice Universe, the device uses LIPO technology to achieve what may be the thinnest bezels on any smartphone to date. The renders also reveal a smaller punch-hole camera and unusually rounded display corners, described by the leaker as “the roundest corners in smartphone history.”
— ᵀᴱᵁᴿᴱˣˣ⁹⁸⁰⁰- (@TRX9800_) September 6, 2025
This gives the Xiaomi 16 a softer, more distinctive look compared to Apple’s iPhones, signalling a fresh design direction for Xiaomi.
Ice Universe claims the Galaxy S26 Pro has made little progress in bezel reduction, while the Xiaomi 16 Pro is leading the way with “the most advanced technology in the industry.” His shared renders show the Xiaomi 16 Pro with slimmer bezels and far more rounded corners, whereas the Galaxy S26 Pro looks nearly identical to its predecessor.
Caption – (Image credit – @UniverseIce on X)
The tipster even suggested Samsung could be aligning its design closer to the iPhone 17 Pro, instead of competing directly for the highest screen-to-body ratio. This aligns with earlier rumours that Samsung plans to move away from its Note-inspired boxy design starting with the S26 Ultra.
He further speculated that the Xiaomi 16 Pro might become the best-selling non-Ultra Android flagship, thanks to both design and hardware. A 6,300mAh battery is rumoured for the Pro model, dwarfing the Galaxy S26’s 4,300mAh capacity.
Unfortunately, the bezel of Samsung Galaxy S26Pro has made little progress, probably to save costs and follow Apple (because the bezel of iPhone 17 Pro has not improved either).Xiaomi 16 Pro adopts the most advanced technology in the industry, which greatly reduces the width of… pic.twitter.com/gy5iRArRIN
— PhoneArt (@UniverseIce) September 8, 2025
Samsung has faced criticism for recycling older camera hardware across generations, while the Xiaomi 16 Pro is tipped to introduce notable improvements, including a larger main sensor. More details on its leaked camera setup have already been circulating online, further raising expectations.
Galaxy S26 Ultra Design Changes
Samsung’s Galaxy S26 Ultra is expected to launch in January 2026. Leaked CAD renders and dummy units suggest that Samsung is also rounding off the Ultra’s sharp corners, though not as drastically as Xiaomi. The bezels appear slimmer than those on the Galaxy S25 Ultra, but they still don’t match the razor-thin look of the Xiaomi 16 Pro.
Placed side by side, the S26 Ultra maintains a more angular profile, holding onto its signature “Ultra” identity, while improving comfort for one-handed use.
Both companies are clearly refining how their flagships look and feel. Xiaomi seems to be chasing the true bezel-less dream, while Samsung is shifting away from its Note-style design language, a move that has sparked mixed reactions online.
With the Xiaomi 16 series expected in September 2025 and the Galaxy S26 lineup in January 2026, the next wave of flagship launches promises a real design showdown between two of the industry’s biggest players.
FAQs
Q1. What design changes are expected in the Xiaomi 16 series?
Answer. The Xiaomi 16 series is expected to feature ultra-thin bezels and the most rounded display corners ever seen on a smartphone, enabled by LIPO technology.
Q2. How does the Xiaomi 16 Pro compare to the Galaxy S26 Pro in terms of design?
Answer. According to tipster Ice Universe, the Xiaomi 16 Pro leads in bezel reduction and corner curvature, while the Galaxy S26 Pro shows minimal design changes from its predecessor.
Q3. What hardware upgrades are rumoured for the Xiaomi 16 Pro?
Answer. The Xiaomi 16 Pro is tipped to include a large 6,300mAh battery and a significantly upgraded main camera sensor, positioning it as a strong non-Ultra Android flagship