Emir BardakçıA new leak from the renowned tipster Digital Chat Station (DCS) has exposed the specifications of the upcoming iQOO Z11 series, featuring a shocking battery capacity and a surprise return to LCD technology.
While this news excites budget gamers, it also signals a broader industry trend caused by rising component costs—a trend that might force Xiaomi (REDMI) to reverse its decision to abandon high-performance LCD phones.
The iQOO Z11 Series: A Battery Monster
According to the leak, the new device (Model V2551A) is designed to dominate the entry-level performance market (~1000 Yuan).
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The Battery: The standout feature is a massive 9000mAh battery (estimated), paired with a 90W fast charging head. This would likely make it the longest-lasting phone in its class.
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The Screens: There appear to be two versions. One features a 1.5K LTPS conventional large screen, while the other (likely the iQOO Z11x) sports a 6.76-inch FHD+ LCD high-refresh-rate display.
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The Processor: The device is suspected to run on the Snapdragon 7s Gen 4, positioning it as a solid mid-range performer.
The “Chip Crisis” Effect
Why are manufacturers returning to LCD technology in 2026? The answer lies in the supply chain.
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Rising Costs: Due to a renewed chip crisis, the prices for RAM and Storage modules have skyrocketed.
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Cost Cutting: To keep “thousand-yuan” phones affordable without sacrificing performance (CPU/RAM), manufacturers like iQOO are cutting costs on the display panel, switching from expensive OLEDs back to cost-effective LCDs.
Will REDMI Follow Suit?
This development puts Xiaomi in a difficult position regarding its Redmi lineup.
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The Old Promise: Two years ago, DCS famously stated that “Xiaomi will no longer make high-performance LCD phones,” signaling an all-OLED future for the Redmi Note series.
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The New Reality: However, with the current spike in memory prices, sticking to OLED might force price hikes that budget consumers won’t accept.
To maintain competitive pricing, there is now a strong possibility that Redmi could reintroduce LCD panels in its upcoming budget performance models (potentially in the Redmi Note 15 or 16 “SE” or “R” variants).
