Xiaomi to release first buttonless phone next year: report

Xiaomi is reportedly working on a button-less smartphone. While the Chinese tech brand is still keeping mum on plans to launch a device with these next-gen buttons, a new leak gives us more information about the device. The rumored button-less device is said to be in early stages of development and is expected to launch in 2025. The device could feature an under-display selfie camera and is likely to be powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon chipset.

Xiaomi is working on a phone without buttons

Tipster Chun Bhai (X: @chunvn8888) in association with Smartprix, leaked details of Xiaomi’s alleged button-less flagship, which is said to be codenamed ‘Zhuque’. This handset may not feature physical power and volume buttons and will likely rely on gestures, pressure-sensitive edges and voice commands for control, the publication said.

The Zhuque smartphone is said to be currently in early stages of development and could launch in 2025. It is expected to feature an under-display selfie camera. The all-screen phone is expected to be powered by Qualcomm’s yet-to-be-released Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 4 SoC. The same chipset codenamed SM8775 is also expected to power the Xiaomi 15S Pro that is rumored to launch next year. Rumors have it that it could be an upgraded variant of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 chipset that is expected to debut in October.

Xiaomi hasn’t revealed any details about the existence of a button-less phone yet and we can expect the rumored device to undergo changes before its final release. Apple was also rumored to introduce a button-less design on the iPhone 15 Pro, but the handset came with the same physical buttons as its predecessors.

Other Chinese OEMs like Meizu and Vivo have successfully developed this technology in recent years. The Meizu Zero smartphone doesn’t have any physical buttons, ports or a SIM tray. It relies on eSIM and pressure-sensitive volume and power buttons. Similarly, the Vivo Apex 2019 concept phone doesn’t have any physical buttons and relies on pressure and gestures for quick actions.