Xiaomi 16 Pro Likely to Feature 3D-Printed Metal Frame

Renowned analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has released a striking prediction, stating that Xiaomi Corporation’s upcoming flagship model, the Xiaomi 16 Pro, set to launch at the end of the year, will for the first time utilize 3D printing technology to manufacture its metal mid-frame. This innovative move is supported by the technological expertise of Bright Laser Technologies (BLT). Since its establishment in 2011, BLT has been deeply involved in the 3D printing sector and is recognized as a national high-tech enterprise. The company successfully listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange’s Sci-Tech Innovation Board in 2019 and has since assembled a team of over 2,000 people, with research and development personnel accounting for 25.23% of the workforce.

According to Kuo’s analysis, the Xiaomi 16 Pro’s choice to use 3D printing technology for the mid-frame is primarily due to the technology’s capability for hollowed-out design. This design not only maintains the structural strength of the phone’s mid-frame but also significantly reduces the body weight and effectively enhances heat dissipation performance, offering users a lighter and more efficient experience.

Despite the challenges in production efficiency that 3D printing technology has faced, which have been seen as a major barrier to its widespread adoption, Kuo points out that as technical difficulties are continuously overcome, once 3D printing demonstrates advantages in cost control, smartphone manufacturers will quickly embrace this technology without waiting for its production efficiency to match that of traditional processes. He cites Apple as an example, recalling the company’s adoption of CNC unibody technology in the manufacturing of MacBook metal bodies. This technology was initially not expected to be applicable in the consumer electronics field but ultimately achieved great success.

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