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Xiaomi may be exploring a new smartphone design that replaces traditional tall displays with wider screens. A recent leak suggests the company is testing a wide-screen smartphone with a side-mounted fingerprint sensor.
Chinese tipster Digital Chat Station shared the information through Weibo on November 4. Although the post did not identify Xiaomi directly, its clues have sparked speculation about the company's upcoming device.
The rumored handset could feature a conventional slab design without any folding mechanism. Its wider display may offer proportions similar to modern wide foldables, including the Xiaomi 18 Fold.
Reports suggest a possible 16:9 or 16:10 aspect ratio, although Xiaomi has not confirmed either specification. The side fingerprint sensor also hints at a different approach to smartphone ergonomics.
Unlike conventional smartphones, a wide-screen phone offers more horizontal space within a compact body. This could improve reading, document viewing, typing, and split-screen multitasking.
The wider layout may also deliver a more comfortable experience when watching landscape videos. However, the broader frame could make one-handed operation less convenient.
Huawei has already introduced this concept through its Pura X View smartphone in China. The device features a compact design with a 16:9.5 display aspect ratio. Its limited availability could give Xiaomi an opportunity to introduce a similar design in more markets. Xiaomi's established presence in India could also make the concept interesting for international buyers.
OPPO is reportedly exploring the same smartphone category with another wide-screen device. Early reports suggest its upcoming model could feature a 16:9 or 16:10 display. Interest from multiple manufacturers suggests growing exploration of alternative smartphone designs.
Digital Chat Station has not shared further hardware details about the rumored smartphone. Information about its processor, cameras, battery capacity, pricing, and launch timeline remains unavailable. Xiaomi has also not confirmed the device or announced its development plans.
Further reports may reveal whether Xiaomi plans to bring this experimental design into production. A wider display could offer an interesting alternative to conventional smartphones and foldables. However, its commercial success will depend on usability, software compatibility, and global availability.