The Xiaomi Mi 10 launch may be an online-only event

Xiaomi's Mi 10 and Mi 10 Pro is currently rumored to be an effective competitor to the upcoming Samsung Galaxy S20 series. They are thought to have the Snapdragon 865 processor, in addition to state-of-the-art LPDDR5 RAM and 108MP main-camera sensors.

Some additional leaks have suggested that it might also pre-empt the S20s onto the market, so as to be the first phones rocking flagship Qualcomm silicon in 2020. However, recent developments may disrupt these possible plans...or, alternatively, offer Xiaomi the path of least resistance to this goal.

Recent reports have indicated that a SARS-esque epidemic, attributed to a novel coronavirus, has affected life in China to the extent that the authorities currently discourage large public gatherings outdoors. They would include events such as smartphone launches, even that of flagships like the Mi 10. Therefore, the OEM might convert theirs into a purely online event.

The tipster Digital Chat Station has posted a leak to this effect on Weibo. It states that the Mi 10 launch may not be a physical event. Furthermore, this may also apply to the Black Shark 3, which is probably Xiaomi's next premium gaming smartphone. Should this be the case, the OEM may indeed beat Samsung, scheduled to hold its next Galaxy Unpacked event on February 11, 2020, in this respect.

On the other hand, a separate report asserts that the Mi 10 series will in fact be launch on February 13. However, it may also be on sale as early as February 14, whereas Samsung is not likely to actually release its new flagships until late in the year.

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