MUMBAI – A new leak from leaker Kartikey Singh, first seen on the Chinese platform Weibo, suggests Xiaomi is reviving a bold concept for its next flagship.
The Xiaomi 16 Pro Max is tipped to feature a secondary display on the rear, similar to the one seen on the Mi 11 Ultra from 2021.
The images, which reportedly show a high-ranking Xiaomi official with the device, reveal a large camera module that spans the width of the phone, with a significant portion dedicated to this secondary screen.
The return of this feature is significant. The Mi 11 Ultra used a small display borrowed from the Mi Band to show notifications, time, and, most notably, to act as a viewfinder for high-quality rear-camera selfies.
While other companies have experimented with different forms of secondary screens, Xiaomi's re-commitment to a full-fledged display on the back of its top-tier phone is a major development.
The phone is also rumored to be one of the first to market with the new Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 chipset, with a China launch expected by the end of this month.
But how does this news resonate on the ground in Mumbai? We went to find out.
The streets of Mumbai are a living, breathing testament to the city's relationship with technology.
From the crowded local trains to the bustling markets of Chor Bazaar, a smartphone is not just a gadget; it's a lifeline.
So, what do the people of this city think about a phone with two screens? The reactions were mixed, pragmatic, and brutally honest.
I started my day in a small mobile shop in the Dadar market, a hub for electronics. Kishore, a veteran
mobile retailer who has been selling phones for over two decades, was skeptical.
I started my day in a small mobile shop in the Dadar market, a hub for electronics. Kishore, a veteran
mobile retailer who has been selling phones for over two decades, was skeptical.
"A second screen? For what, saheb? To take a selfie with the back camera?" he said, gesturing with a dismissive wave of his hand.
"People here, they want a good selfie camera on the front. Simple, easy. They don’t want to be turning their phone around and around.
Plus, a second screen… that’s another part to break. It will be expensive to fix, and who will pay that money?"
His point is a valid one. In a market where every rupee counts, the durability and repairability of a device are as important as its features.
His point is a valid one. In a market where every rupee counts, the durability and repairability of a device are as important as its features.
The Mi 11 Ultra's secondary display, while innovative, was a potential liability.
For Kishore and his customers, a new feature must serve a clear, practical purpose.
"If it helps with something big, maybe battery life or a special app, then it's a good thing.
But just for a small notification, it's not worth the risk.
My customers, they are very practical. They will ask me, 'What is the use of this?' and if I can’t give a good answer, they will not buy it."
Just outside the shop, I flagged down an autorickshaw driver named Rajesh. He was busy cleaning his vehicle, his old, trusty feature phone clipped to his dashboard.
Just outside the shop, I flagged down an autorickshaw driver named Rajesh. He was busy cleaning his vehicle, his old, trusty feature phone clipped to his dashboard.
I showed him the leaked image of the Xiaomi 16 Pro Max. "Looks nice," he said, squinting at the screen. "But for me, a phone needs a strong battery.
I am on the road all day, taking calls for rides, using maps.
If the battery runs out, my whole day stops. What is this small screen for? Will it save battery? If it does, then it is a good thing. But if it uses more power, no, thank you. My phone is my income."
Rajesh's perspective is shared by many in the gig economy. For them, a phone is a work tool, and reliability trumps flashy features.
Rajesh's perspective is shared by many in the gig economy. For them, a phone is a work tool, and reliability trumps flashy features.
They don't have the time or money to waste on a feature that doesn't directly contribute to their livelihood.
A secondary display could be seen as a frivolous distraction, a drain on a battery that needs to last from dawn till dusk.
I then headed to a nearby college campus, where the younger generation, the target audience for such a high-tech phone, was more receptive but still had reservations.
I then headed to a nearby college campus, where the younger generation, the target audience for such a high-tech phone, was more receptive but still had reservations.
A group of students, Ayesha and Rohan, were immediately intrigued.
"It looks cool," Ayesha said, "It's different. I can imagine using it for quick selfies or maybe a cool GIF background. It would stand out."
Rohan, however, was more measured. "The Mi 11 Ultra was ahead of its time.
Rohan, however, was more measured. "The Mi 11 Ultra was ahead of its time.
But what about the software? If Xiaomi doesn't have a good use for it, it will just be a gimmick. Look at Nothing Phone 3's Glyph Interface.
It's unique, but how many people actually use it for more than just a light show? Xiaomi needs to make this secondary display a real part of the user experience, not just a design element."
This is the core of the issue. The hardware is only as good as the software that supports it.
This is the core of the issue. The hardware is only as good as the software that supports it.
A small, secondary display can be a powerful tool for productivity and convenience, but it requires a thoughtful, user-centric approach to integration.
If it's just for show, it will be forgotten.
I even spoke with an iPhone user, a car owner named Vikram, who was waiting for his driver.
I even spoke with an iPhone user, a car owner named Vikram, who was waiting for his driver.
"I have the iPhone 16 Pro Max," he stated, almost as if it were a badge of honor.
"The beauty of the iPhone is its simplicity. It's clean.
This Xiaomi phone… it's trying too hard. A secondary screen? That’s just another thing to clutter the design. Apple focuses on one, perfect screen.
That's why people pay the premium. If Xiaomi wants to be a true flagship competitor, it needs to stop adding features and start perfecting the ones it has."
Vikram's view, while perhaps a bit elitist, highlights a key challenge for Xiaomi.
Vikram's view, while perhaps a bit elitist, highlights a key challenge for Xiaomi.
In the premium segment, where brand loyalty is high, a new feature isn't enough to sway consumers. They are looking for a cohesive, refined experience.
For them, a dual-screen device could be perceived as a step back from the elegant, minimalist design that defines the high-end market.
Finally, I sat down for a cup of tea with my neighbor, an elderly gentleman named Mr. Sharma.
Finally, I sat down for a cup of tea with my neighbor, an elderly gentleman named Mr. Sharma.
He uses a simple, a non-smart phone.
I explained the concept of a dual-screen phone to him. He listened patiently, then smiled. "My son showed me something similar once.
He said it was for selfies. I don't need a second screen for that.
One screen is enough for me to call my children and grandchildren. For me, a phone is about connectivity, not complexity."
His words, simple as they were, encapsulate the reality for many.
His words, simple as they were, encapsulate the reality for many.
The rapid pace of technological innovation often leaves a large portion of the population behind.
While a new feature like a secondary display is exciting for tech enthusiasts, for the average person, it's just another complication in an already complex world.
In short, the leaked Xiaomi 16 Pro Max is a groundbreaking report in the world of technology news.
In short, the leaked Xiaomi 16 Pro Max is a groundbreaking report in the world of technology news.
It signals a bold and innovative move by Xiaomi to differentiate itself in a crowded market.
However, based on my on-the-ground reporting in Mumbai, the success of this feature in the Indian market will depend entirely on its utility.
It cannot be a gimmick. It must serve a clear, practical purpose that justifies its presence and potential for added cost and fragility.
From the shopkeeper worried about repairs to the taxi driver concerned about battery life, the consensus is clear: the Xiaomi 16 Pro Max will have to prove that its second screen is a necessity, not just a novelty.
Read more about Xiaomi 16 Pro Max by visiti official site
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