While every other phone manufacturer was busy launching new devices, Xiaomi stayed quiet all through 2015. We have seen leaks and rumours all through the year, which have suggested various specifications and designs of the elusive phone, the Xiaomi Mi 5. Building upon the hype, another image render has surfaced on the internet, showcasing a different design than the last one, and offering a fingerprint sensor right below the display.
In the last six months, it has been suggested that the phone will be launching with class-leading specifications and features. All of the previous rumours strongly suggest that the Xiaomi Mi 5 could be powered by the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 SoC. Earlier this year, a report suggested that the company might launch the phone in November, which would have coincided with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 820 launch, but that never happened. A few weeks back, a Chinese analyst reassured that Xiaomi will launch the phone in February, during the Spring festival. Another report also suggests a CES launch, but that seems unlikely.
According to the information we have so far, all rumours point towards the Mi 5 having a Qualcomm Snapdragon 820. This new SoC has been expected to power almost all major flagship smartphones coming out this year. 4GB of LPDDR4 RAM is also expected in the Mi 5. Storage options may remain unchanged at 16GB and 64GB. Its screen dimensions, however, are a topic of debate, as some suggest that it might have a 5.7-inch display, while others suggest a 5.5-inch one. Whichever it be, we might see a 2.5D curved glass on top of the rumoured almost-bezelless display, and even the latest renders suggest the same. The screen resolution is unlikely to change, and Xiaomi may stick with a 1080p display resolution for the Mi 5.
Pricing is the key, though, and the company that started the whole concept of more value for the consumer's money with the Mi 3, is facing stiff competition from other brands originating in China. We look forward to the Mi 5, and hope that it meets widespread expectations.