Xiaomi may be working on a wide-screen smartphone: how will it be different?

oh – Divyanshi Sharma

Published: Thursday, November 5, 2026, 4:50 p.m [IST]

Smartphone displays have been getting taller for years but have you ever stopped to think what would happen if a phone manufacturer decided to go in the opposite direction? Xiaomi could do exactly that. A new leak suggests that the company is testing a wide-screen smartphone that looks very different from the usual tall and narrow phones we see today. The device could also get a side-mounted fingerprint sensor. Read on to know more.

Xiaomi could test a phone with a 16:10 or 16:9 display

According to tipster Digital Chat Station, Xiaomi is reportedly experimenting with a new candybar-style smartphone that has a much wider display than conventional phones. The screen is tipped to have a 16:10 or 16:9 aspect ratio, giving the device a noticeably different shape.

For context, most smartphones today use taller displays that provide more vertical space for scrolling through apps, websites, and social media feeds. Xiaomi’s rumored design could shift some of that space horizontally.

This could make certain daily activities more comfortable. Reading documents, browsing websites and typing with two hands could benefit from the wider screen. It could also provide more room for split-screen multitasking, allowing users to work with two apps side-by-side without needing a foldable phone.

Watching videos could be another advantage, as the wider display is better suited for conventional 16:9 content. The overall experience could be closer to using a compact tablet than a traditional smartphone.

The phone could get a side-mounted fingerprint sensor

The leak also hints at a side-mounted fingerprint sensor. Xiaomi was able to integrate it into the power button, allowing users to lock the phone with their thumb while holding the device.

This is an interesting choice considering the wider body of the rumored smartphone. However, the tipster did not share any further details about the phone’s design, including its dimensions or how thick it might be.

The concept seems to take inspiration from the wider displays found on large foldable smartphones, but Xiaomi could bring that screen format to a regular slab-style device. This means that users can get a wider display without having to deal with a folding mechanism or a visible circle.

Xiaomi’s widescreen smartphone: what else do we know?

Not much more is known about the rumored device at the moment. The leak does not mention its processor, camera specifications, battery capacity or software features. Xiaomi has also not officially confirmed that it is developing such a smartphone.

The device is still in the prototype and testing stage, which means there is no confirmed launch timeline either. If Xiaomi decides to take the project forward, China could be among the first markets to receive it. However, there is no confirmation of an India launch.

For now, the idea of ​​a wider smartphone remains an interesting possibility rather than a future product announcement. Whether this design catches the eye depends on how Xiaomi balances the larger screen with everyday convenience and portability.