 |
| The Xiaomi 15S Pro. |
If you thought the Xiaomi 15S Pro was a curious, China-only experiment with the company's first-gen XRing O1 silicon, get ready for the sequel. Fresh leaks suggest Xiaomi is already deep in development of its direct successor, tentatively dubbed the Xiaomi 17S series, which could bring a significant second-generation leap in proprietary chipset performance.
The news comes from established leaker Smart Pikachu, who shared details on Weibo, indicating that the next "S" refresh is firmly on the roadmap. You can see the original leak post here.
This follows the pattern set earlier this year when Xiaomi released the Xiaomi 15S Pro as a mid-year update to the Qualcomm-powered 15 Pro, swapping out the Snapdragon chip for its own XRing O1. While that device served as a proof of concept, it didn't set global markets alight. The focus now shifts to what’s next.
The Heart of the Matter: XRing O2 Development Underway
The most critical piece of information from the leak concerns the silicon. The source states that the XRing O2's baseband is still in development. This strongly implies that the planned Xiaomi 17S series won't just be a minor spec bump but will be built around this new, more advanced in-house system-on-a-chip.
This development phase is key. It suggests Xiaomi is committed to refining its proprietary technology, aiming for better performance, efficiency, and integration than the first-generation O1 could deliver. The question of when remains, with a likely launch window in mid-to-late 2026, following the expected debut of the standard Snapdragon-powered Xiaomi 17 series.
A Persistent Strategy: High-End In-House Chips Stay in China
If history is any guide, international fans shouldn't hold their breath for an official global release. The leak reinforces that, like the 15S Pro before it, the Xiaomi 17S series is likely to remain exclusive to the Chinese market.
Xiaomi's strategy appears clear: use the domestic market as a testing and proving ground for its most ambitious silicon projects, where it can control the software environment and carrier relationships more tightly. This means that for the rest of the world, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra—expected to pack the latest flagship Qualcomm processor—will remain the company's undisputed global flagship champion for that generation.
What This Means for the Future
The development of the XRing O2 signals Xiaomi's long-term ambition to reduce reliance on external chipmakers and forge its own path, similar to rivals like Huawei. A successful second-generation chip could pave the way for more competitive and distinctive devices in its home market.
For global consumers, the focus will rightly be on the mainline Xiaomi 17 series. However, the lessons learned and technologies honed in the China-only 17S project could eventually trickle down to benefit future international devices in other ways.
Where to Buy the Current Global Favorite
While we wait for the future of Xiaomi's in-house chips, the current generation of globally available devices offers fantastic performance.
For those looking for a powerful Xiaomi experience today, the excellent Xiaomi 15T is a compelling option.
This article is based on early leaks and rumors. Specifications, features, and release plans are subject to change as Xiaomi makes official announcements.