Apple, in a way, pioneered 3D Touch, which is a feature that responses with different functions based on the pressure of the user's touch and press.

While the technology was already in action in some devices mostly in China, the Cupertino-based company focused on sharpening the feature enough to make it a selling point of their newest iPhone releases, iPhone 6s and 6s Plus.

Not too long ago, there were reports that Samsung will employ the same technology with Synaptics' ClearForce in its next flagship, Galaxy S7. With it, users will be able to access more related menus with light taps and presses. Now, there's word that Xiaomi Mi 5 will have its own 3D Touch-like feature too.

According to leakster Leaksfly, Xiaomi, which is reputed as the Apple of China, is planning to manufacture smartphones with pressure-sensitive displays. In fact, the tech firm has taken a step forward in making this happen by filing a patent for an application that works in the same way as that of Apple's 3D Touch.

But instead of developing its own, the tipster claims that just like Samsung, the company will also make use of the ClearForce technology by Synaptics as well but whether or not the feature will show up in the ever-elusive Xiaomi Mi 5 remains to be seen.

Of course, it is highly possible, considering that the said smartphone will be its flagship and one that has fans waiting fervently and is already long overdue. With Samsung's next flagship expected to have it too, it isn't hard to think Xiaomi's own flagship donning the technology.

As for the rest of the specs, previous reports claim that the Xiaomi Mi 5 is expected to have either a powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 processor or the redoubtable MediaTek HelioX20. Either one should make for a stellar device. It is also touted to have a fingerprint scanner.

Xiaomi Mi 5 is reportedly launching next year.