The battle for smartphone dominance is heating up, and this time the spotlight is firmly on Xiaomi. According to well-known tipster Ice Universe, the upcoming Xiaomi 16 Pro could pose a serious challenge to Samsung’s Galaxy S26 series – something we’ve rarely seen in past flagship battles.
Leaked renders suggest that while Samsung’s Galaxy S26 Pro isn’t making significant progress in shrinking its bezels, Xiaomi’s 16 Pro is pulling ahead with what’s being called the “most advanced bezel technology” in the industry. The Xiaomi 16 Pro is shown with slimmer borders and smoother rounded corners, creating a more futuristic look compared to the S26 Pro, which closely resembles its predecessor. Interestingly, the leaker hinted that Samsung might be deliberately following the iPhone 17 Pro’s design language, abandoning the boxier Note-inspired style for good-starting with the S26 Ultra.
But design isn’t the only area where Xiaomi seems to have the upper hand. The 16 Pro is rumored to pack a massive 6,300 mAh battery, far larger than the 4,300 mAh unit expected in the standard Galaxy S26. On top of that, Xiaomi is reportedly preparing significant camera upgrades, including a larger main sensor, while Samsung faces criticism for reusing the same camera hardware across multiple generations.
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If these leaks hold true, the Xiaomi 16 Pro could become the best-selling non-Ultra Android flagship, reshaping the balance of power in the premium market. Samsung, on the other hand, is set to reveal the Galaxy S26 lineup in January 2026, while Xiaomi is expected to launch the 16 series much earlier, in September 2025. That timing could give Xiaomi an early edge over its long-time rival.
