Xiaomi Mi 6 release date, specs rumors: device with Snapdragon 835 receives impressive AnTuTu benchmark score

(Xiaomi)A promotional image for the Xiaomi Mi 5. Its successor, the Mi 6, is rumored to arrive soon with the Snapdragon 835 chip.

Chinese smartphone manufacturers are becoming forces to be reckoned with as they continue to churn out devices with premium specs and affordable price tags that are able to compete with the ones from more established companies. One such device, the Xiaomi Mi 6, is becoming highly anticipated based on what has been revealed about it so far.

According to reports originating from China, the Xiaomi Mi 6 was spotted on AnTuTu with an impressive benchmark score of 210,329. To compare, the iPhone 7 Plus with the A10 chip previously scored 183,106 while the OnePlus 3T with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 chip attained 163,578. If this benchmark score is indeed legitimate, then the Xiaomi Mi 6 will be a very powerful device.

Tech aficionados attribute this performance to the Snapdragon 835 chipset. The Xiaomi Mi 6 is reportedly one of the first devices to feature Qualcomm's newest flagship processor. The Snapdragon 835 was officially introduced at the recently concluded Consumer Electronics Show (CES) and it is said to have significant improvements over its predecessor when it comes to performance and efficiency.

Aside from the processor, the Xiaomi Mi 6 will reportedly feature a 5.15-inch in-plane switching (IPS) LCD display with a resolution of 2,560 x 1,440 pixels. In terms of design, it is rumored to look like a smaller version of the Xiaomi Mi Note 2. It is also touted to come with a dual-camera setup at the rear with 12-megapixel (MP) lenses, dual-LED flash and phase detection autofocus (PDAF). At the front, a 4 MP snapper will be able to take selfies and video calls.

Xiaomi is said to be releasing two models: one with 4 GB of random-access memory (RAM) and 64 GB of built-in storage and the other with 6 GB of RAM and 128 GB of internal storage. The device is also rumored to have a fingerprint sensor at the front and a USB Type-C port.

The Mi 6 is expected to arrive in early 2017 but Xiaomi has not revealed an exact release date. Nevertheless, it is rumored to arrive in February with sales beginning in March.