The conversation around smartphone design often gets fixated on cameras, materials, or chipset upgrades, but there is one subtle feature that shapes how premium a device feels in the hand: the bezel. These thin frames around the display have long been a battleground for phone makers. The latest leak comparing the Samsung Galaxy S26 Pro, the Galaxy S26 Edge, and the Xiaomi 16 Pro highlights how each brand is approaching this seemingly minor, yet visually significant, detail.
The source of these comparisons, the prolific tipster Ice Universe, has shared side-by-side images revealing how the three models differ. 
Placed together – with the Galaxy S26 Edge on the left, Xiaomi 16 Pro in the center, and Galaxy S26 Pro on the right – the contrast becomes immediately noticeable. Samsung’s S26 Pro is said to retain the exact same bezel dimensions as its predecessor, the Galaxy S25. Instead of chasing ever-slimmer borders, Samsung appears to have paused the race, perhaps prioritizing stability in production costs and manufacturing efficiency, much like Apple has done with its iPhones in recent years.
Zooming in on the Xiaomi 16 Pro next to the S26 Pro makes the difference more dramatic. Xiaomi’s upcoming flagship employs advanced display engineering that trims bezels on all four sides, resulting in a sharper, more immersive look. The curvature at its corners enhances this effect, making the screen feel almost like it spills over the edges of the chassis. Ice Universe goes as far as to call it the most advanced bezel implementation in the industry to date, which would give Xiaomi an aesthetic advantage, especially for users who value a sleek, futuristic design.
A separate image comparing just the S26 Pro and the S26 Edge shows that even within Samsung’s own lineup, there are variations. The Edge, true to its name, emphasizes curvature and a more visually fluid form, while the Pro opts for a more conventional flat profile, which some users prefer for usability and fewer accidental touches.
The bigger question, however, is availability. Historically, Xiaomi has limited its Pro devices to the Chinese market. This year, the company has broken tradition by preparing both a 16 Pro and a larger 16 Pro Max, signaling a potential shift toward broader international launches. If Xiaomi does bring these models to global markets, consumers may soon have direct access to a device with one of the slimmest and most striking bezels available, raising the stakes for competitors like Samsung to rethink their design priorities.
Ultimately, bezels may not dominate spec sheets, but they shape first impressions. As these leaks suggest, while Samsung is maintaining a familiar formula, Xiaomi is pushing the boundary – literally – of display design. The next few months could reveal whether customers reward practicality and consistency, or flock to the allure of near-borderless innovation.
1 comment
Xiaomi bezels looking insane, hope it comes global