Xiaomi 18 recently surfaced in the GSMA product database, confirming its existence. Based on how Xiaomi rolls out its flagships, the new Xiaomi 18 series should reach buyers as early as September this year.

However, tipster Digital Chat Station in a fresh reveal says Xiaomi is switching up its usual release order this time around. Instead of launching the standard and Pro models together, Xiaomi will reportedly bring out the higher-spec Xiaomi 18 Pro series first in September, with the standard Xiaomi 18 following shortly after. 

The gap between the two launches will not be large, and both phones are said to be available for purchase before the Chinese Spring Festival, which falls in February.

Now, if that sounds familiar, that’s because it is. Apple is expected to launch the iPhone 18 Pro in September, while the vanilla iPhone 18 is rumored to follow later in 2027. Xiaomi seems to be employing the same approach.

And…it might not be the only thing Xiaomi will copy from Apple—rumors suggest the company also plans to use the signature red color expected for the iPhone 18 series.

A price hike is the bigger issue

A bigger concern is that the Xiaomi 18 series is said to cost noticeably more than its predecessors. And this isn’t a Xiaomi-only move. Rising costs across the upstream supply chain are pushing prices up for nearly every major Android brand, not just Xiaomi.

Xiaomi founder Lei Jun has already weighed in on the memory issue. He said the current jump in memory prices is severe, and that supply prices are likely to keep climbing over the next two years. His advice to anyone planning to upgrade their phone soon is simple: buy sooner rather than later.

On the hardware side, the Xiaomi 18 series will be among the first phones to use Qualcomm’s new Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 platform.

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The second half of 2026 could see one of the busiest flagship smartphone launch seasons in recent memory. According to information shared by reliable tipster Digital Chat Station, several major Chinese smartphone brands are accelerating their launch plans, potentially setting up a crowded September packed with high-profile flagship announcements.

September could become the biggest flagship battleground of 2026

DCS claims that the Xiaomi 18 series is now largely confirmed for a September debut in China. This is not surprising as the company unveiled the Xiaomi 17 series in September 2025.

More interestingly, the Vivo X500 series and Oppo Find X10 series are also reportedly pushing to launch during the same month. If these plans materialize, September could become a key battleground for premium smartphones from multiple brands.

Apple is also expected to unveil the iPhone 18 Pro lineup and its first foldable device, tentatively referred to as the iPhone Ultra, during the traditional autumn launch season. Launching earlier could give Xiaomi, Vivo and Oppo an opportunity to capture attention before Apple’s announcements dominate headlines.

Xiaomi 18 series, Vivo X500 series, and Oppo Find X10 series: What to expect?

While official specifications remain under wraps, previous leaks suggest that the Xiaomi 18 series could include the Xiaomi 18, Xiaomi 18 Pro and Xiaomi 18 Pro Max. The lineup is expected to be among the first to feature Qualcomm’s next-generation Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 chipset.

Meanwhile, the Vivo X500 family is expected to comprise the Vivo X500, X500 Pro (or Pro Mini) and X500 Pro Max, with a strong focus on camera upgrades and larger batteries. Oppo’s Find X10 series is also likely to include multiple models, such as the X10, X10 Pro, and X100 Pro Max. Both Vivo and Oppo flagship phones are expected to feature next-generation MediaTek Dimensity 9600 chip.

Which upcoming flagship series are you most excited about: Xiaomi 18, Vivo X500, Oppo Find X10 or Apple’s next-generation iPhone lineup?

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In September, Xiaomi is expected to unveil the Xiaomi 18 series as the world’s first smartphones powered by the next-generation Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 flagship chipset. Today, reliable tipster Digital Chat Station shared a Weibo post revealing key details about the Xiaomi 18 lineup.

Xiaomi 18 series key details tipped

According to a new post by DCS, Xiaomi’s next-generation Xiaomi 18 series is expected to feature a compact flagship model with a display measuring around 6.4 inches. The tipster claims the screen will be close to what many users consider a mid-sized display and will feature a 19.5:9 aspect ratio, large-radius corners, ultra-narrow and symmetrical bezels, and a flat-panel design. The display is also tipped to offer an effective 2K resolution for sharper visuals.

DCS further revealed that the Xiaomi 18 Pro series will debut an exclusive new display technology. In addition to the upgraded screen, the upcoming lineup is said to bring notable improvements in imaging, battery technology, and overall hardware. The tipster specifically mentioned dual 200-megapixel cameras and the use of silicon-carbon battery technology as key upgrades.

When asked about battery capacity in the comments section, DCS responded that the battery would begin with the number “7,” suggesting a capacity in the 7,000mAh range. While an exact figure was not disclosed, the tipster implied that the battery life should be more than sufficient for most users. This battery is likely to power both the standard Xiaomi 18 and the Pro model, which is also expected to feature a similarly sized display.

Reports have revealed that the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max will be the largest model among the three, as it is said to house a 6.9-inch 2K OLED screen. Under the hood, it may feature the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 Pro chip and an 8,500mAh battery.

Other reports have revealed that the Xiaomi 18 Pro and Xiaomi 18 Pro Max may continue to feature a rear-facing display, similar to the previous generation. However, the rear display is said to become more versatile than before.

Additionally, a recent update from tipster Smart Pikachu claims that Xiaomi is exploring AI-powered desktop experiences for secondary displays, not only on the Xiaomi 18 Pro models but also on the cover screen of Xiaomi’s next foldable phone, tentatively referred to as the Xiaomi 18 Fold.

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Xiaomi is reportedly working on the Xiaomi 18 lineup for the Chinese market. So far, the lineup is expected to include the Xiaomi 18, 18 Pro, 18 Pro Max, and 18 Ultra. The Ultra edition may debut by the end of this year, whereas the other three models may go official in September in China. A new leak, courtesy of tipster Digital Chat Station, has revealed that the entire lineup will feature a 200-megapixel camera.

Xiaomi 18’s entire lineup to feature 200MP cameras

The new leak suggests that the current engineering samples of the entire Xiaomi 18 series are equipped with a 200-megapixel camera backed by a large 1/1.28-inch sensor. The tipster added that this generation is said to feature a dual 200-megapixel imaging system, described internally as a landmark upgrade for the brand’s camera capabilities.

As per previous reports, the Xiaomi 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max may both sport dual 200-megapixel cameras in their rear setup. These could be used for the primary and periscope telephoto cameras.

The standard Xiaomi 17 has a telephoto camera in its rear camera setup. However, rumors surrounding the Xiaomi 18 suggest that it will be equipped with a periscope telephoto camera. Related rumors also suggest that the Xiaomi 18’s periscope telephoto camera will feature a 200-megapixel sensor.

Speaking of the standard Xiaomi 18, it may arrive with a slight increase in display size, reaching 6.4 inches compared to 6.3 inches on the Xiaomi 17. As far as the chipset is concerned, the Xiaomi 18, 18 Pro, and 18 Pro Max are all expected to feature the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 chip. Likely, the Xiaomi 18 Ultra could be equipped with the more powerful Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 Pro SoC.

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Upcoming flagship smartphones expected to launch around September in China may introduce a major hardware-level privacy feature aimed at protecting screen visibility, according to reliable tipster Digital Chat Station. This tech appears to be similar to what Samsung is advertising for its Galaxy S26 Ultra, which is slated to launch next week. If accurate, it may represent a shift from software-based privacy tools toward integrated hardware solutions designed to prevent onlookers from viewing sensitive content.

Hardware-level anti-peep display coming to upcoming flagships

According to DCS, domestic smartphone manufacturers are currently testing an advanced “anti-peeping” screen that works at the hardware level. The translated leak suggests that this forward-looking design is being evaluated for next-generation flagship phones scheduled for around September this year.

Unlike traditional privacy screen protectors or software filters, this approach is said to rely on native display technology to reduce visibility from side angles, potentially improving privacy in public environments.

So far, reports suggest that the Xiaomi 18 series powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 and the Vivo X500 lineup featuring the Dimensity 9600 are expected to launch in September. Likely, these devices could feature the new hardware-level privacy display if testing proves successful.

Last year in October, Oppo unveiled its Find X9 lineup, and this year the company may introduce the Find X10 series in October, while Honor could follow with the Honor Magic 10 series. Other flagships like the iQOO 16, OnePlus 16, and Realme GT 9 Pro are also expected to debut around the same period. It remains to be seen whether these devices will include the feature.

Recent reports around the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra indicate that the device may introduce a built-in privacy display designed to limit viewing angles at the hardware level, helping prevent shoulder surfing in crowded places. Reports suggest the technology may rely on advanced OLED panel control to selectively obscure content when viewed from the side, instead of using external accessories.

Early information indicates that this feature could offer customization options such as automatically activating during sensitive tasks or hiding specific screen elements like notifications or passwords. If successful, it may encourage other manufacturers to adopt similar solutions, especially as smartphone privacy becomes an increasingly important selling point in flagship devices.

Among the S26 lineup, it is only the Ultra edition that is said to arrive with a new hardware-level privacy feature. Therefore, Chinese smartphone OEMs may offer this feature only on their Pro Max or Ultra branded flagships.

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In September, Xiaomi may unveil the Xiaomi 18, 18 Pro, and 18 Pro Max in China. These devices will replace the Xiaomi 17, 17 Pro, and 17 Pro Max, which were announced in the same month last year. Well before the expected launch, a Chinese tech blogger has shared a render of the Xiaomi 18. Before reading ahead, readers are advised to take this report with a grain of salt, as the authenticity of the design could not be confirmed.

Xiaomi 18 render

The above image showcases a square-shaped camera module for the Xiaomi 18 with rounded corners and a minimalist aesthetic. The triple cameras are arranged in a triangular layout, complemented by subtle Leica branding and an LED flash. This design is more in line with the recently unveiled Oppo Reno 15 series.

Xiaomi 18 specifications (rumored)

According to a recent leak by tipster Digital Chat Station, Xiaomi may increase the display from 6.3 inches to 6.4 inches on the Xiaomi 18. A bigger display means the device will internally have more space to accommodate advanced specs.

Therefore, while the Xiaomi 17 came with a massive 7,000mAh battery, it is likely that the Xiaomi 18’s battery could be even bigger than its predecessor. Under the hood, the device is said to feature the next-generation Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 chipset.

DCS also revealed that the entire Xiaomi 18 lineup will have a 200-megapixel periscope telephoto camera. Hence, the Xiaomi 18 may also include a 200-megapixel periscope camera. Like the previous generation, it may continue to feature a 50-megapixel main camera and a 50-megapixel ultra-wide lens. Considering the phone is scheduled to launch later this year, it is expected to ship with Android 17 and a new version of HyperOS.

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Xiaomi is expected to unveil the Xiaomi 18 series in September in China. Initially, the lineup may include the Xiaomi 18, 18 Pro, and 18 Pro Max, followed by the Xiaomi 18 Ultra’s launch by the end of the year. Today, tipster Digital Chat Station shared a Weibo post revealing key details about the Xiaomi 18.

Xiaomi 18 key details tipped

To recall, the Xiaomi 17 and 17 Pro are compact flagship phones equipped with a 6.3-inch display. DCS’s latest leak suggests that the Xiaomi 18’s display size may slightly increase to 6.4 inches while still retaining a compact form factor. It is likely that the Xiaomi 18 Pro may also feature a 6.4-inch display. The inclusion of a larger screen could allow Xiaomi to incorporate more advanced components inside.

Past reports have claimed that the Xiaomi 18 will finally receive a periscope telephoto camera, which would be a major upgrade since its predecessor features a standard telephoto camera. The new leak reveals that not only the Xiaomi 18, but also other models in the series, such as the 18 Pro, 18 Pro Max, and 18 Ultra, may all feature a 200-megapixel periscope telephoto camera.

The tipster has previously claimed that the Xiaomi 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max will feature dual 200-megapixel cameras, possibly for the primary and periscope telephoto sensors. Speaking of the Pro models, these devices are expected to retain a rear-facing secondary display, but it may be more versatile than before.

Moving to the chipset department, early reports suggest that the Xiaomi 18, 18 Pro, and 18 Pro Max may feature the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6. Xiaomi may reserve the more advanced and costlier Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 Pro for the Xiaomi 18 Ultra.

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Last year, Xiaomi unveiled the Xiaomi 18 series in the same month as the first phones powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 in China. On the other hand, Vivo introduced the Vivo X300 and X300 Pro as the world’s first phones featuring the Dimensity 9500 chip in China. It appears both brands could once again be among the first to launch flagship phones equipped with next-generation flagship chipsets this year.

September launch window and chipset plans

According to tipster Digital Chat Station, new smartphones powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 series and the MediaTek Dimensity 9600 series are currently scheduled for a September debut. Interestingly, the tip suggests that brands planning to introduce these next-generation chipsets are preparing to offer three versions as standard practice, namely a regular model, a Pro variant, and a Pro Max edition.

To recall, the Xiaomi 17 lineup, which debuted in September 2025, included three models: Xiaomi 17, 17 Pro, and 17 Pro Max. These models are likely to be succeeded by the Xiaomi 18, 18 Pro, and 18 Pro Max in the same month this year.

While Vivo announced the Vivo X300 and X300 Pro in September last year, it appears that this year’s lineup may launch earlier and is likely to include three models, such as the Vivo X500, X500 Pro, and X500 Pro Max. Rumors suggest that the X400 branding may be skipped, as the number 4 is considered an unlucky number in some Asian countries.

Readers should note that the tipster has not specified any device names in the leak. The Oppo Find X10 series is also expected to include the Find X10, X10 Pro, and X10 Pro Max powered by the Dimensity 9600. So, it remains unclear whether the tipster was referring to Oppo or Vivo as the other brand alongside Xiaomi. However, in recent years, Vivo has often been the first brand to launch MediaTek’s latest flagship chipsets, so the second brand mentioned in the leak could be Vivo. Readers are advised to treat this information cautiously.

In today’s leak, DCS also cautions that the company expected to debut the new chip in September is unlikely to ship its device with the SM8975, also referred to as the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 Pro, as a standard configuration. The reason cited is the extremely high cost of the 2nm chipset, which could significantly impact pricing.

Here, the tipster may be suggesting that Xiaomi will not launch a Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 Pro-powered phone in September. Previous leaks have claimed that this chip is designed for ultra-premium devices and is likely to power the Xiaomi 18 Ultra, which may debut by the end of this year in China.

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Xiaomi is reportedly preparing its next-generation flagship lineup, with early leaks hinting at significant hardware changes for the Xiaomi 18 series. A new leak suggests that imaging capabilities could receive a notable upgrade, particularly for the Pro variants. At present, a 200-megapixel camera is only limited to the Ultra variant, but the new leak reveals that even Pro models will come equipped with it.

Xiaomi 18 Pro series could feature 200-megapixel cameras

According to well-known tipster Digital Chat Station, an upcoming Xiaomi flagship phone equipped with a 6.3-inch display and dual 200-megapixel cameras is in the works. While it appears to be a Xiaomi leak, he has not specified the name of the device.

Based on Xiaomi’s current lineup strategy, both the standard Xiaomi 18 and the Xiaomi 18 Pro are expected to retain a compact form factor like the Xiaomi 17 and 17 Pro. However, major camera enhancements are likely to be reserved for the Pro model. Hence, it can be assumed that the Xiaomi 18 Pro may feature dual 200-megapixel cameras, as per the new leak.

There’s a possibility that Xiaomi may continue mirroring hardware between Pro and Pro Max variants. Similar to how the Xiaomi 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max share siimlar camera systems, the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max may offer the same dual 200-megapixel setup while differentiating itself with different camera sensors, a larger display, and higher battery capacity. A 50-megapixel ultra-wide lens is also expected to complement the main sensors. Both the Xiaomi 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max feature a more versatile secondary display on the back.

DCS has previously claimed that the standard Xiaomi 18 could finally introduce a periscope telephoto camera, replacing the existing telephoto unit with improved optical zoom capabilities.

Across the lineup, the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 chipset is rumored to power Xiaomi 18, 18 Pro, and 18 Pro Max, while the Xiaomi 18 Ultra may adopt a higher-tier Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 Pro variant. The Xiaomi 18 series is expected to debut in China around September, with the Ultra model potentially arriving later in the year.

Xiaomi is currently gearing up to launch the Xiaomi 17 and 17 Ultra globally. Reports have claimed that the Xiaomi 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max will remain exclusive to the Chinese market. Therefore, there is no clarity on whether Xiaomi 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max will be released globally.

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Xiaomi has yet to launch the Xiaomi 17 series in global markets, but the internet has already moved on. A new leak suggests that the Xiaomi 18 series could bring some long-awaited upgrades to the company’s core flagship lineup, especially for the standard model.

According to the Chinese tipster, Digital Chat Station, Xiaomi 18 series will finally standardize several high-end features across all models. These reportedly include a periscope telephoto camera, a 3D ultrasonic fingerprint sensor, wireless charging, and high-level waterproofing. 

While the blogger didn’t directly name the devices, hints and follow-up discussion in the comments strongly suggest the leak refers to the Xiaomi 18 series.

A periscope lens on the standard model could make it all-round phone

More notable among all is the fact that even the standard model will have a periscope telephoto lens. This should allow the phone to have a longer optical zoom of up to 5x. Xiaomi 17, in comparison, has a standard telephoto lens with a 2.6x optical zoom.

Meanwhile, Xiaomi executives are also hinting at ambitious plans for the Pro model. Wang Le, director of Xiaomi’s application software department, recently commented on Weibo about reports that Xiaomi spent over 1 billion yuan on the Xiaomi 17 Pro’s rear display. 

He downplayed the figure, saying that such an amount is small compared to chip research and development, and added that the back screen on the next-generation phone (likely the Xiaomi 18 Pro) will definitely “not be canceled.”

Speaking of chip, it’s not hard to guess that the Xiaomi 18 series will be among the first to use the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 processor. 

It’s only January, which means there are still many months to go before any official launch. As always with early leaks, plans could change — so it’s best to take these details with a pinch of salt.

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The post Standard Xiaomi 18 may finally get a periscope telephoto lens in 2026 appeared first on Gizmochina.

Last month, Xiaomi held a major launch event in China to unveil the Xiaomi 17 series of flagship smartphones. Among them, the Xiaomi 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max stood out for their distinctive secondary rear displays, which drew strong consumer interest. Now, according to tipster Digital Chat Station, the company has already begun work on the Xiaomi 18 series, expected to arrive next year.

Xiaomi 18 series’ secondary to become more versatile

According to Digital Chat Station, the upcoming Xiaomi 18 series will continue the rear display design that debuted on the Xiaomi 17 Pro models. However, the tipster claims that Xiaomi plans to introduce more creative enhancements to the secondary display, likely in the form of expanded software features and improved interactivity.

While details remain limited, the rear screen could gain more functional control options, such as notification handling, camera viewfinder assistance, or contextual widgets.

To recall, the rear display design first appeared on the Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra, which featured a 1.1-inch AMOLED panel. It disappeared with the Xiaomi 12 series but made a comeback with the 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max. Market data indicates that the premium 17 Pro models accounted for nearly 80% of total series sales, highlighting the growing appeal of this design among high-end users.

Likely, the lineup will feature the next-generation Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 chipset and may debut in September 2026. With nearly an year remaining for the expected launch, the rumor mill is expected to leak more details about the Xiaomi 18 lineup in the coming months.

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