Xiaomi 18 Pro Series Now Official In China; Confirmed To Launch Globally Later This Year

Xiaomi has officially unveiled its new flagship 18 Pro series in China, with plans to launch globally later this year. The premium lineup consists of two models: the base Pro and the Pro Max variant. The device boasts a famous rear display, first seen on the China-exclusive Xiaomi 17 Pro. However, the new series will debut in countries like Malaysia, marking a more significant launch than a typical annual smartphone release.

Notably, the Xiaomi 18 Pro series is the first to feature Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 chipsets, showcased at the Snapdragon Summit 2026 in Maui, Hawaii. The phones come with an LTPO AMOLED display featuring a 2K resolution and a variable refresh rate ranging from 1Hz to 120Hz. Both screens have a peak brightness of 4,000 nits and are protected by the company's Dragon Crystal Glass 3.

The main difference between the two models lies in their screen sizes: the 18 Pro features a 6.4-inch display, while the Pro Max sibling has a slightly larger 6.9-inch screen. Xiaomi has also implemented hardware-level privacy displays in the new series, which surpass the capabilities of the Galaxy S26 Ultra. These panels offer location-based triggers, block out notifications, and support floating window and split-view app layouts. Users can access these features via a dedicated AI button on the device.

The rear display remains consistent with the predecessor, measuring 2.7 inches and offering a 596 x 912 resolution, a 120Hz refresh rate, and a peak brightness of 4,000 nits. The Pro Max model shares similar specifications, with a slightly larger 2.9-inch display and a resolution of 596 x 976. Xiaomi has added functionality to the rear panel, enabling users to create mini apps with the Xiao AI assistant and customize AI wallpapers, display widgets, interact with the AI assistant, and use it as a viewfinder for the triple rear cameras.