The Mi 7 is believed to be Xiaomi's smartphone flagship for 2018, but for some reason, the Chinese handset maker had to delay its launch indefinitely. The company has not yet announced the specs and design features of the Xiaomi Mi 7, but the recently leaked firmware files of the handset give some idea on the possible big changes. Based on these files, the Mi 7 is expected to sport a notch display, akin to Apple's iPhone X.

XDA Developers was able to obtain the alleged firmware files of the Xiaomi Mi 7, which were released last month. The first block of lines points to a possible notch feature on the top portion of the Mi 7 display. Necessary adjustments to the handset's display platform and user interface (UI) should be done if ever the Mi 7 will indeed sport a notch display. In a sense, Xiaomi adapting the iPhone X signature is not surprising, given that the previously launched Android-based smartphones have also included a notch area that houses the front-facing camera sensors.

Moreover, the Xiaomi Mi 7 firmware files also reveal that the smartphone will also receive an infrared (IR) camera, as seen in the MIUI Keyguard app section of the files. It is likely that this IR camera feature is similar to the iPhone X's Infrared Camera sensor that is required by the Face ID system. With this, it is possible that the Xiaomi Mi 7 will have an advanced face unlock feature of its own.

Earlier firmware files leak for the Xiaomi Mi 7 shows that the premium handset will have an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display and Always On display feature. It is still expected to be powered by Qualcomm's latest high-end mobile processor, the Snapdragon 845 chip. However, the Mi 7 will not be the first Xiaomi phone to use the Snapdragon 845, as the Mi Mix 2S will arrive on March 27 with this chipset.

The Xiaomi Mi 7 might have already been overdue, but the company looks to be doing its last-minute preparations to refresh the Mi smartphone series. Other features such as wireless charging and dual-lens rear camera are also expected to surprise the public upon the Mi 7 launch later this year.