After Samsung, Xiaomi rumoured to follow 3D Touch trend: Will Mi 5 feature pressure-sensitive screen?

Chinese consumer electronics brand Xiaomi is rumoured to be working on developing 3D Touch-like technology for pressure-sensitive displays. This follows recent reports that Samsung would release a handset (rumoured to be the Galaxy S7) featuring similar functionality.

Now, a report published in GforGames, that quotes a Chinese tipster (on Weibo), Xiaomi is said to have even obtained a patent to develop and use new technology resulting in force-sensitive smartphone displays. However, there are also rumours that the Chinese company would sign a deal with Synaptics to make use of the latter's Clear Force technological offering that is known to lead to the development of force-sensitive screens.

It is also speculated that Synaptics's Clear Force technology will be used by Samsung (via a tie-up with Synaptics) in its next smartphone offering, widely rumoured to be the flagship Galaxy S7. With Xiaomi also rumoured to be working on incorporating 3D Touch-like technology within a future smartphone, it remains to be seen whether the company's yet-to-be-released Mi 5 will feature pressure-sensitive touchscreen.

The Xiaomi Mi 5's release date has been a matter of intense speculation, especially after the company announced that the smartphone would not be launched during its 19 October event. Latest reports indicate a 2016 release for the smartphone.