 |
| The Redmi Note 16 Pro Plus is also expected to feature a 7,000+ mAh battery. Pictured: a promo picture of the Note 15 Pro+. |
The rumor mill is churning for Xiaomi fans, and if the latest whispers are to be believed, the future of mid-range smartphone photography is looking incredibly sharp. Fresh leaks suggest that Xiaomi is deep in development of the Redmi Note 16 series, with a potential launch window in China set for early 2026. While the company remains tight-lipped, the buzz is squarely focused on a monumental camera upgrade for the flagship model of the lineup, the Redmi Note 16 Pro+.
A Megapixel Powerhouse in the Making
The biggest takeaway from the new leak is a significant jump in camera resolution. For context, the current Redmi Note 15 Pro+ features a respectable 50 MP primary sensor, known as the Light Hunter 800. According to the latest information shared by prominent leaker Smart Pikachu on Weibo, the upcoming Redmi Note 16 Pro+ is poised to shatter that count with a staggering 200 MP main camera on the rear.
This leak, which you can see for yourself embedded in the post below, has sent waves of excitement through the tech community.
This wouldn't be the first time a Redmi Note phone has featured a 200 MP sensor; the global version of the Note 14 Pro+ also boasted a 200 MP shooter, specifically the Samsung Isocell HP3. The key question now is which sensor Xiaomi will choose for the Note 16 Pro+. Early speculation indicates it's unlikely to be the brand-new Sony LYT-901—a premium 200 MP sensor designed for flagship devices. Given the Redmi Note series' mid-range positioning, Xiaomi is expected to opt for a more cost-effective, yet undoubtedly powerful, high-resolution sensor to keep the price competitive.
More Than Just a Camera: What Else to Expect from the Redmi Note 16 Series
While the camera is the star of this leak, previous reports have painted a picture of a well-rounded and powerful device. The Redmi Note 16 Pro models are expected to feature crisp, flat OLED displays, providing an immersive viewing experience without curved edges.
Perhaps even more impressive is the rumored battery capacity. Speculation points to the phones packing massive batteries that could exceed the 7,000 mAh mark. For users constantly on the go, this would be a game-changer, potentially offering multi-day battery life. To put that into perspective, that's more power than you get from some of the most popular portable power banks on the market, like the 45W compact Iniu 10K power bank, currently available on Amazon.
The Competitive Landscape Heats Up
Xiaomi won't be having the mid-range 200MP arena to itself. The upcoming Realme 16 series is already being touted as a direct competitor, with rumors suggesting that Realme also plans to launch a model with a 200 MP primary camera. This sets the stage for an intense specs battle in the mid-range market come 2026, ultimately giving consumers more powerful options at accessible price points.
As always, it's crucial to remember that these details are based on pre-release rumors and leaks. Official specifications, features, and the final launch timeline will be confirmed by Xiaomi closer to the release date. But one thing is clear: if these leaks hold true, the Redmi Note 16 Pro+ is shaping up to be a photography-centric powerhouse that could redefine our expectations for mid-range smartphones.
 |
| Smart Pikachu's new report about the Redmi Note 16 series |