Just days after the global launch of the Xiaomi 15T series, the tech world is already buzzing with a surprising new rumour: Xiaomi might be fast-tracking its next T-series lineup, completely bypassing the expected "16" generation and aiming for a much earlier launch window for the Xiaomi 17T and 17T Pro.
If you feel like the smartphone release cycle is getting faster, you're not imagining it. The Xiaomi 15T and 15T Pro, which officially hit the market less than a week ago, are still the shiny new gadgets on the block. Yet, a fresh leak suggests their successors are already on the horizon, and they're arriving with a significant strategic shift.
According to a recent report from the reputable leak blog XiaomiTime, evidence is mounting that points to a direct jump from the Xiaomi 15T series to the Xiaomi 17T series, mirroring the company's decision to skip the "Mi 16" moniker for its flagship line.
The IMEI Database Tells a Story: A Q1 2026 Launch?
The most compelling evidence comes from the GSMA IMEI database, a global equipment registry that often serves as an early, reliable indicator of upcoming devices. Four new Xiaomi model numbers have recently appeared:
- 2602DPT53G and 2602DPT53I – believed to be variants of the standard Xiaomi 17T.
- 2602EPTC0G and 2602EPTC0R – likely referring to the higher-end Xiaomi 17T Pro.
The critical clue lies in the first four digits of these model numbers: "2602". In Xiaomi's coding convention, this typically signifies a target launch date in February 2026. This would be a dramatic departure from the T-series' traditional release schedule, which has historically been in September or October, aligning with the holiday season.
Exclusive: Xiaomi 17T Popped Up Right After The Launch of The Xiaomi 15T Series
An early-year launch would position the Xiaomi 17T series perfectly for a spotlight at MWC (Mobile World Congress) in March 2026, one of the largest tech events in the world. This move would also place it in direct competition with other early-year mid-range champions, such as the anticipated HMD Ace 5G or the OnePlus 15, creating a fierce battleground right at the start of the year.
A Strategic Decoupling of Global and Chinese Lineups
This potential schedule change isn't just about being earlier; it's also about strategy. Industry analysts suggest that Xiaomi is looking to further decouple its globally-focused Xiaomi T-series from its China-exclusive counterpart, the Redmi K Ultra series.
We've already seen the beginnings of this separation with the current generation. The Xiaomi 15T and the Redmi K80 Ultra share core specs but feature distinctly different design languages. By staggering their releases more significantly, Xiaomi can tailor marketing campaigns, manage supply chains more efficiently, and give each product line its own unique identity in different markets without causing consumer confusion.
What We Know About the Xiaomi 17T and 17T Pro So Far
While still deep in the realm of speculation, the leaks also provide some early details on the devices' internal hardware. The models are allegedly codenamed "chargall" (for the Xiaomi 17T) and "warhol" (for the 17T Pro). An earlier leak from the same source also mentioned an internal model number "P21A" in connection with the 17T.
On the performance front, the devices are expected to be powered by MediaTek's next-generation chipsets:
- The standard Xiaomi 17T is tipped to feature a MediaTek Dimensity 8500 chipset.
- The premium Xiaomi 17T Pro will likely boast the more powerful MediaTek Dimensity 9500 platform.
Both devices will, of course, ship with the latest version of Xiaomi's operating system, expected to be Xiaomi HyperOS 3, promising a seamless and interconnected user experience across Xiaomi's ecosystem of devices.
As with all early rumours, it's crucial to treat this information with cautious optimism. However, the correlation between the IMEI data and Xiaomi's recent numbering strategy makes a compelling case. If true, the smartphone landscape in early 2026 is about to get a lot more interesting.
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