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Xiaomi 16 Pro leak: SmartSens 50MP sensor surfaces ahead of launch
Xiaomi's next flagship family, the Xiaomi 16 series, is expected to debut in China later this month. A fresh leak from tipster Fixed Focus Digital suggests the Xiaomi 16 Pro will ship with a SmartSens-made 50-megapixel primary sensor — reportedly the SC590XS — a module that may also appear in Huawei's upcoming Mate 80 RS Ultimate. If true, this aligns Xiaomi and Huawei on a high-end image sensor strategy that focuses on light sensitivity, fast focusing and advanced video capabilities.
Key specifications: what the SC590XS brings to the table
Sensor architecture and size
The SC590XS is said to be fabricated on a 22nm process and features a large 1/1.28-inch optical format with 1.2μm pixels. That sensor footprint positions it between typical flagship and ultra-flagship sensors, promising improved light-gathering over smaller modules while remaining practical for thin handset designs.
Autofocus and pixel-level tech
SmartSens reportedly enables QPD (Quad Phase Detection) full-pixel autofocus on the SC590XS, meaning every pixel contributes to phase-detect focusing. Paired with AI-driven motion-tracking algorithms, full-pixel QPD promises fast, reliable locking on moving subjects — useful for sports, street photography and handheld low-light shooting.
Video and dynamic range
The leak claims native 4K capture at up to 120 frames per second, which would make the sensor highly attractive for creators who need high-frame-rate video without resolution compromise. A broader dynamic range is also cited, suggesting stronger highlight and shadow retention in mixed lighting situations.
Variable aperture and RYYB pixel layout
One standout rumor is that the SC590XS may pair with a physical variable aperture, allowing more light to hit the sensor when needed — a feature that can improve depth-of-field control and low-light performance. Another notable detail: the sensor might use an RYYB (red-yellow-yellow-blue) pixel arrangement instead of traditional RGB, replacing one green sub-pixel with yellow. Because the yellow sub-pixel captures more luminance information (combining red and green brightness data), RYYB sensors can theoretically boost light intake by roughly 30–40% compared with standard Bayer filters.
Comparisons and advantages: Xiaomi 16 Pro vs Huawei Mate 80 RS and rivals
Same hardware, different image signatures
If Xiaomi and Huawei both adopt the SC590XS, the underlying hardware advantages — larger sensor, QPD across pixels, RYYB sensitivity and 4K120 video — would be shared. However, final image quality will depend heavily on each brand’s ISP tuning, AI processing, noise reduction, color science and optical stabilization. Huawei historically leans into vivid tonality and aggressive HDR stacking, while Xiaomi may tune for natural colors and higher detail retention.
How it stacks up against Sony and OmniVision sensors
SmartSens is a growing alternative to Sony and OmniVision at the high end. The SC590XS's strengths would be its RYYB sensitivity and potential variable aperture combo — features aimed at low-light and video creators. Trade-offs may include color fidelity challenges that require stronger ISP correction, compared with some RGB-based Sony sensors that prioritize color accuracy out of the sensor.
Use cases: who benefits most from the SC590XS setup?
- Mobile photographers shooting concerts, events or low-light scenes benefit from improved luminance capture and variable aperture control.
- Content creators and vloggers gain from 4K@120fps video options for smooth slow-motion and high-resolution clips.
- Action and sports shooters rely on full-pixel Quad Phase Detection and AI motion tracking for consistent subject lock.
- Professionals who do on-device editing will appreciate richer dynamic range and higher native detail for post-processing.
Market relevance and strategic implications
Adopting the SmartSens SC590XS would signal Xiaomi's intent to compete on camera hardware as well as chipset performance. The Xiaomi 16 series is expected to debut alongside the Xiaomi 16 and an additional 16 Pro Max or Mini model — the latter possibly featuring a 6.3-inch display — and all are tipped to be among the first phones to use Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5. Combining a leading SoC with an advanced sensor helps Xiaomi position these devices as flagship alternatives that emphasize computational photography and video creation.
For Huawei, sharing the same sensor (if confirmed) underlines its continued pursuit of camera-first differentiation despite constraints in other areas of the supply chain. For consumers, the most important factors will remain ISP tuning, stabilization (OIS), software features and real-world testing results.
Conclusion
The SmartSens SC590XS — a 50MP, 1/1.28-inch sensor with full-pixel QPD, possible RYYB layout, variable aperture and 4K@120fps — could be a game-changer if it reaches mass production in both Xiaomi 16 Pro and Huawei Mate 80 RS Ultimate. While the hardware promises better low-light capture and high-frame-rate video, final image quality will still hinge on brand-specific processing and optics. Expect comparative camera tests once the Xiaomi 16 series and Huawei’s later releases arrive.
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