Leaked images of the Xiaomi Mi 5 reveal a possible physical home button

Mi Note pictured above

After we’ve taken a look at official images of the Xiaomi Redmi 3, sporting a full metal body with a sexy plaid laser etched rear cover, we realised that this could very well be the turning point for Xiaomi — going from cheap and cheerful to relatively premium.

If they’re bringing such premium materials to their budget Redmi line, that means the bar has been set for their flagship Mi series, starting with the Mi 5. Previously leaked press renders hinted that the device would take a rather big turn when it comes to design as it looks to feature a physical button at the front. Now, new images have surfaced on Weibo of the actual device that seems to confirm that suspicion.

Last year, GadgetzArena reported on a leaked image of what was supposedly a white Xiaomi Mi 5, sporting a design very similar to that on Samsung‘s flagships with what looks like an actual physical home button at the front. Now, more images have been revealed — this time of a black Mi 5 — that seems to confirm that suspicion.

Alongside thinner bezels and what looks like a thinner and rounder overall device, the images also confirm what we think is a front mounted fingerprint scanner. From the images, it also looks like it could be more of an actual button than an indentation like that found on the OnePlus 2.

Besides that, the device also seems to sport metal rails along the side that should lend it a more premium feel in the hand though we’re not entirely sure if the device will have an all-metal unibody though it does seem likely. The speakers look to be placed at the bottom of the device, flanking a charging port. Whether or not that will be USB Type-C port remains to be seen.

Since it’s a flagship, the device is no slouch, sporting Qualcomm’s latest quad-core Snapdragon 820 processor with 3GB of RAM and 32GB of internal storage. There are rumours that there will be another model sporting 4GB of RAM and 64GB of internal storage. It is also said to feature a 5.2-inch 1080×1920 pixel display, but there are other rumours that it might be a quad HD display (2560×1440) instead.

As far as camera optics are concerned, the device is rumoured to have a 16-megapixel rear sensor with a 13-megapixel front camera to boot. It is also said to feature a 3,600 mAh battery with Quick Charge 3.0.

Those are some interesting specifications and design choices but do note that these are not officially confirmed so take it with a grain of salt. The smartphone is apparently already in the process of being manufactured and is rumoured to come out in February.

[SOURCE, 2, VIA]