Emir BardakçıHowever, Xiaomi is already looking ahead to the future, and if the recent rumors are to be believed, the upcoming flagship is concentrating on the “feel” of the smartphone. Popular tipster Digital Chat Station has come out with information that the company is testing top-notch hardware upgrades for its upcoming models with larger screens.
I’ve always thought that haptics have been the underrated star of the high-end smartphone game. Although the Xiaomi 17 line was a beast, the recent news indicates that the “Xiaomi 18” line (presumably its successor) will take immersion to the next level with its top-notch vibration motors and symmetrical audio designs.
TL;DR
- Next-gen flagships are testing “0916” level X-axis motors for large screens.
- Small-screen models are being evaluated with “0816” motors, an upgrade over previous tech.
- Symmetrical dual speakers are expected to return for a balanced audio experience.
- 2K Resolution testing is underway for the larger “Pro” and “Ultra” models.
How Does a Vibration Motor Affect Your Experience?
As reported recently, a certain “parent company,” heavily speculated to be Xiaomi, is evaluating the 0916 level X-axis motor for use within their large screen flagship. This represents a marked upgrade from the 0809C motors that are present within the existing Xiaomi 17 Pro and Xiaomi 17 Pro Max.
The “0916 motor” is essentially a larger and more powerful motor that gives a “taller” and more accurate vibration feedback experience. This should make things such as keyboard typing and serious gaming feel more realistic when interacting with the “Xiaomi HyperOS haptic engine”.
The smaller models are also not being left behind, as they are said to be testing the 0816 motor as well. Although it is smaller compared to the 0916, it still provides a more responsive “click” compared to the older 0809 motors used now.
Symmetrical Audio and 2K Displays
Apart from the haptics, the leak also indicates Symmetrical Dual Speakers. These days, many companies have opted for asymmetrical designs in which the earpiece is also a speaker, but the symmetrical design provides a much wider and balanced soundstage.
It appears that Xiaomi is also exploring 2K resolution for their larger series. The “standard” or “medium” cup sizes will probably retain their 1.5K resolution to conserve power, while the high-end models will focus on having the highest pixel density to rival the competition in the market.
What’s Next?
However, more specific information is expected to come out as the Xiaomi HyperConnect ecosystem expands further. Should the testing stages for the 0916 motors as well as 2K displays go smoothly, a possible launch could come by the end of Q3 2026. But we should also keep an eye on the software side because the Xiaomi HyperOS should get a “Haptics 2.0” update in order to take full advantage of the new hardware. We’ll be keeping a close eye on the certification websites for any new model numbers.
