Xiaomi is reportedly working on new camera technologies that could significantly improve the smartphone photography experience. According to reliable Chinese tipster Digital Chat Station, the company has begun evaluating a 1:1 square front-facing camera along with gimbal-level Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) technology. Since these features are still in the early testing phase, they are expected to debut in a commercial Xiaomi smartphone in the first half of 2027, if development progresses as planned.
The biggest highlight is the testing of a 1:1 square front camera. We have seen OPPO also testing the same for the Find X10 Ultra smartphone, so Xiaomi wouldn’t want to lag. Unlike conventional rectangular sensors, a square sensor can offer greater flexibility for capturing photos in different aspect ratios while preserving more of the original image. This could benefit selfie photography, video calls, and content creation by allowing users to crop images into formats such as 1:1, 4:3, or 16:9 with minimal loss in quality.
Xiaomi is also evaluating gimbal-level OIS anti-shake technology, which aims to deliver stabilization beyond what traditional OIS systems can achieve. By providing a wider range of stabilization, the technology could significantly reduce camera shake during handheld photography and video recording. This may result in smoother videos, improved low-light performance, and sharper images even when shooting in challenging conditions.
It is worth noting that these technologies are currently under internal evaluation, meaning there is no confirmation that they will reach the final mass production stage. Smartphone manufacturers often test multiple hardware solutions before deciding which ones make it into commercial devices.
