Xiaomi Mi5 will be first Xiaomi phone to have 3D Touch and a physical home button with fingerprint scanner

The Xiaomi Mi5, one of the first flagship devices of 2016, is expected to introduce quite a few technological innovations and design changes for the first time ever.

It might be the first Xiaomi phone to house touch-sensitive display technology similar to Apple’s 3D Touch in the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus. Back in October, GforGames reported Xiaomi will use Force Touch display technology for its upcoming flagship.

The company might bring in its own proprietary version of touch sensitivity, or like Samsung team-up with Synaptics for its ClearForce display technology. The company has already worked with Synaptics to introduce Side Touch technology for Xiaomi Mi4c, reports Tech Times. The pressure sensitive technology enables the display to sense different levels of pressure or force applied on it. Different actions can be performed based on the amount of pressure used.

The device might be the first smartphone of 2016 to be shipped with Qualcomm's Snapdragon 820 SoC. The chipset supports Snapdragon Sense ID, Qualcomm's next-gen fingerprint scanning technology. It was previously believed the smartphone will sport a fingerprint scanner based on Sense ID.

The handset will feature a traditional fingerprint scanner, according to GSM Arena quoting noted Chinese analyst Pan Jiutang. Reports indicate Xiaomi will introduce a physical Home Button with the fingerprint scanner for the first time.

Earlier, the smartphone was expected to be launched with the Redmi Note 3 on Nov. 24. Later, it was speculated Xiaomi will unveil the handset on Dec. 3.

But Xiaomi seems to have some special plans for its latest high-end flagship. Recent reports indicate the device will be announced on Jan. 21 and released in early February. The company has yet to release the official date for the launch, however.

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