Xiaomi is launching a new smartphone series on Sept. 27 (Update: New renders)

Update: September 23, 2021 (4 AM ET): New renders of the upcoming Xiaomi Civi smartphone series have now emerged. Xiaomi and tipster Digital Chat Station published several new renders of the phone on Weibo, revealing key features and design traits.

For starters, the Xiaomi Civi employs a triple rear camera array at the rear dominated by a big primary lens, but it’s unclear what sensor is hiding behind it. Other features include a central camera cutout up front, a single speaker grille at the bottom alongside a USB-C port, a volume rocker and power button on the phone’s right edge, and what seems to be an IR blaster up top. Interestingly, Xiaomi also revealed that the Civi weighs just 166 grams with a thickness of 6.98 mm.

Notably, a new official render published by Xiaomi on Weibo confirms the design showcased in the leak but doesn’t add to the list of specs we already know.

Original article: September 22, 2021 (1:53 AM ET): Xiaomi is set to reveal a new smartphone series next week bearing the Civi moniker.

According to a machine-translater teaser posted to Weibo, Xiaomi notes the series will feature “fashionable and diversified designs and innovative imaging technology.” It didn’t provide any details or first looks at the phone in question, though.

So, where does the Xiaomi Civi series place within the company’s broad device range? There are rumors that the Civi series is the successor to the camera-centric Mi CC line. This would give the phone near flagship-level camera hardware paired with mid-range specs. According to tipster Digital Chat Station, the series could focus on selfie imaging, adding credence to the Mi CC series successor theory.

Xiaomi’s outgoing camera-first series

Notably, the Xiaomi Mi CC9 Pro was an intriguing package on paper. It included five cameras at the rear headlined by a 108MP primary sensor. A 12MP telephoto for portraits, a 20MP ultra-wide, a 5MP zoom lens, and a 2MP macro shooter also featured. Around the front was a 32MP camera for selfies. The Mi CC9 Pro debuted under $500 in China. Xiaomi could follow a similar camera and pricing formula with the Civi line.

At least we don’t have long to wait for confirmed details. Xiaomi will unveil the Civi series in China on September 27 at 2 PM CST (2 AM ET).