Xiaomi 18, 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max: specifications, price and release | Leak
Xiaomi 18 (standard and compact model)
Xiaomi 18 Pro (compact model but with rear display)
Xiaomi 18 Pro Max (extra-large model, still with rear display)
There are doubts about the future Xiaomi 18 Ultra: in previous generations the Ultra model completed the lineup as the top “Camera Phone”. However development would have been suspended according to a rumor from late May 2026: the leading photography role could be absorbed directly by the Pro Max, avoiding the launch of a separate model.
Two open scenarios remain according to sources: the Xiaomi-Leica collaboration could continue on other models, or the Ultra project could simply be postponed.
Deep dive in our dedicated article: Xiaomi 18 Ultra, stop to development: bad news for the Camera Phone?
Design
The Xiaomi 17 series in full – Credits: Xiaomi
At present there are no official confirmations on the design of the series and the rumors are not very convincing. Probably the 18 will continue to offer a square camera module with rounded corners, straight edges and flat displays with optimized bezels and a centered punch hole.
For the bigger siblings Xiaomi 18 Pro and Pro Max we expect a large rectangular island housing the cameras and a secondarydisplay (color and touch).
Regarding colors, there are whispers of the return of the Red color: it remains to be seen whether it will be a pure red shade or a burgundy red like the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max (in the Dark Cherry color).
Finally there are numerous rumors about a hardware and software feature similar to Samsung’s Privacy Display on the Galaxy S26 Ultra, to limit side visibility of the screen.
Camera: triple 200 + 50 + 200 MP (f/?) with OIS, ultra-wide and periscope telephoto/macro with OIS | Leica optics
Selfie camera: 100 MP (f/?)
Connectivity and others: Dual SIM 5G, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, NFC, Dual GPS, stereo speakers, USB-C 3.2 Gen 1, UWB
Operating system: Android 17 with HyperOS 4
Camera: LOFIC technology will be the real differentiator among the three models
All three models would share the same 200 MP main sensor, but would differ in LOFIC technology (Lateral Overflow Integration Capacitor), which manages excess light by collecting and processing excess electrons in real time when pixels saturate:
Xiaomi 18: no LOFIC technology
Xiaomi 18 Pro: standard LOFIC
Xiaomi 18 Pro Max: LOFIC 3.0
Release date: two scenarios compared
The rumors gathered so far are not entirely in agreement on the timing of the series launch, and we report both versions in chronological order:
June 2026 version: according to a rumor dated June 16, Xiaomi would adopt a two-event launch strategy, similar to the Apple approach for the iPhone 18: the Xiaomi 18 Pro and Pro Max would debut in September 2026, while the Xiaomi 18 standard would slip to early 2027, in line with Chinese New Year (February 2027).
August 2026 version: a more recent rumor, dated August 11, instead indicates a September 2026 launch of the Xiaomi 18 model (with the five colors mentioned above), with no mention of a delay.
Price
At the moment the only available data is a general trend: according to rumors, a price increase across the entire lineup is expected compared with the previous generation, with the Pro model positioned in the range previously occupied by the Pro Max.
And in Italy? The possible Global release
For the first time, according to collected rumors, Xiaomi would bring a top-tier “Pro” to Western markets, not just the standard model.
Xiaomi 18 Pro Max has already obtained EEC certification for Eastern European markets
A rumor from insider Abhishek Yadav indicates a possible Global launch in December 2026, starting from the Indian market, followed eventually by an arrival in Europe/Italy at a later time
The Chinese launch is still expected first, in September 2026
As also noted in our reference articles, these are still hypotheses: official brand confirmation is needed for Italian availability.
Why to watch Xiaomi 18
Beyond the individual specifications, there are three reasons why this launch is particularly interesting to follow:
The possible global debut of the Pro series, a groundbreaking move for Xiaomi’s business strategy outside China
The camera system, with 200 MP sensors on all three models and LOFIC technology differentiating the tiers, plus Leica partnership
The new hardware/software features, such as the rear display and the possible response to Samsung’s Privacy Display
Frequently Asked Questions
<!– wp:yoast/faq-block {"questions":[{"id":"faq-question-1786691122925","question":"Xiaomi 18 avrà anche una variante Ultra?","answer":"At the moment no, according to the rumors: development of the Ultra variant would be suspended, with the lead photography role probably absorbed by the Pro Max.","jsonQuestion":"Xiaomi 18 avrà anche una variante Ultra?","jsonAnswer":"At the moment no, according to the rumors: development of the Ultra variant would be suspended, with the lead photography role probably absorbed by the Pro Max.","images":[]},{"id":"faq-question-1786691132215","question":"Quando esce Xiaomi 18 in Italia?","answer":"There is not yet an official date. Recent rumors indicate a possible Global arrival starting from December 2026 from the Indian market, with Italy and Europe potentially following, but without official confirmation.","jsonQuestion":"Quando esce Xiaomi 18 in Italia?","jsonAnswer":"There is not yet an official date. Recent rumors indicate a possible Global arrival starting from December 2026 from the Indian market, with Italy and Europe potentially following, but without official confirmation.","images":[]},{"id":"faq-question-1786691140116","question":"Quanto costerà Xiaomi 18?“,”answer”:”There are no price figures leaked yet. The rumors indicate only a general increase compared to the previous generation.”,”jsonQuestion”:”Quanto costerà Xiaomi 18?“,”jsonAnswer”:”There are no price figures leaked yet. The rumors indicate only a general increase compared to the previous generation.”,”images”:[]},{“id”:”faq-question-1786691146899″,”question”:”Che differenza c’è tra Xiaomi 18, 18 Pro e 18 Pro Max?”,”answer”:”The main difference concerns display size (6.4″ vs 6.3″ and 6.9″), the processor (Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 on the base model vs the Pro variant on higher models) and especially camera technology: no LOFIC on the base model, standard LOFIC on the Pro, LOFIC 3.0 on the Pro Max.”,”jsonQuestion”:”Che differenza c’è tra Xiaomi 18, 18 Pro e 18 Pro Max?”,”jsonAnswer”:”The main difference concerns display size (6.4″ vs 6.3″ and 6.9″), the processor (Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 on the base model vs the Pro variant on higher models) and especially camera technology: no LOFIC on the base model, standard LOFIC on the Pro, LOFIC 3.0 on the Pro Max.”,”images”:[]}]} –>
Xiaomi 18 avrà anche una variante Ultra?
At the moment no, according to the rumors: development of the Ultra variant would be suspended, with the lead photography role probably absorbed by the Pro Max.
When will Xiaomi 18 be released in Italy?
There is not yet an official date. The most recent rumors indicate a possible Global arrival starting from December 2026 from the Indian market, with Italy and Europe potentially following, but without official confirmation.
How much will Xiaomi 18 cost?
There are no price figures leaked yet. The rumors indicate only a general increase over the previous generation.
What is the difference between Xiaomi 18, 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max?
The main difference concerns display size (6.4″ vs 6.3″ and 6.9″), the processor (Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 on the base model vs the Pro variant on higher models) and especially camera technology: no LOFIC on the base model, standard LOFIC on the Pro, LOFIC 3.0 on the Pro Max.
This page will be updated as soon as the Chinese company officially announces the Xiaomi 18 series: in the meantime, stay tuned by following all our dedicated articles in the Xiaomi section of GizChina.it.
Xiaomi 18: no LOFIC technology
Xiaomi 18 Pro: standard LOFIC
Xiaomi 18 Pro Max: LOFIC 3.0
Release date: two scenarios compared
The rumors gathered so far are not entirely in agreement on the timing of the series launch, and we report both versions in chronological order:
June 2026 version: according to a rumor dated June 16, Xiaomi would adopt a two-event launch strategy, similar to the Apple approach for the iPhone 18: the Xiaomi 18 Pro and Pro Max would debut in September 2026, while the Xiaomi 18 standard would slip to early 2027, in line with Chinese New Year (February 2027).
August 2026 version: a more recent rumor, dated August 11, instead indicates a September 2026 launch of the Xiaomi 18 model (with the five colors mentioned above), with no mention of a delay.
Price
At the moment the only available data is a general trend: according to rumors, a price increase across the entire lineup is expected compared with the previous generation, with the Pro model positioned in the range previously occupied by the Pro Max.
And in Italy? The possible Global release
For the first time, according to collected rumors, Xiaomi would bring a top-tier “Pro” to Western markets, not just the standard model.
Xiaomi 18 Pro Max has already obtained EEC certification for Eastern European markets
A rumor from insider Abhishek Yadav indicates a possible Global launch in December 2026, starting from the Indian market, followed eventually by an arrival in Europe/Italy at a later time
The Chinese launch is still expected first, in September 2026
As also noted in our reference articles, these are still hypotheses: official brand confirmation is needed for Italian availability.
Why to watch Xiaomi 18
Beyond the individual specifications, there are three reasons why this launch is particularly interesting to follow:
The possible global debut of the Pro series, a groundbreaking move for Xiaomi’s business strategy outside China
The camera system, with 200 MP sensors on all three models and LOFIC technology differentiating the tiers, plus Leica partnership
The new hardware/software features, such as the rear display and the possible response to Samsung’s Privacy Display
Frequently Asked Questions
<!– wp:yoast/faq-block {"questions":[{"id":"faq-question-1786691122925","question":"Xiaomi 18 avrà anche una variante Ultra?","answer":"At the moment no, according to the rumors: development of the Ultra variant would be suspended, with the lead photography role probably absorbed by the Pro Max.","jsonQuestion":"Xiaomi 18 avrà anche una variante Ultra?","jsonAnswer":"At the moment no, according to the rumors: development of the Ultra variant would be suspended, with the lead photography role probably absorbed by the Pro Max.","images":[]},{"id":"faq-question-1786691132215","question":"Quando esce Xiaomi 18 in Italia?","answer":"There is not yet an official date. Recent rumors indicate a possible Global arrival starting from December 2026 from the Indian market, with Italy and Europe potentially following, but without official confirmation.","jsonQuestion":"Quando esce Xiaomi 18 in Italia?","jsonAnswer":"There is not yet an official date. Recent rumors indicate a possible Global arrival starting from December 2026 from the Indian market, with Italy and Europe potentially following, but without official confirmation.","images":[]},{"id":"faq-question-1786691140116","question":"Quanto costerà Xiaomi 18?“,”answer”:”There are no price figures leaked yet. The rumors indicate only a general increase compared to the previous generation.”,”jsonQuestion”:”Quanto costerà Xiaomi 18?“,”jsonAnswer”:”There are no price figures leaked yet. The rumors indicate only a general increase compared to the previous generation.”,”images”:[]},{“id”:”faq-question-1786691146899″,”question”:”Che differenza c’è tra Xiaomi 18, 18 Pro e 18 Pro Max?”,”answer”:”The main difference concerns display size (6.4″ vs 6.3″ and 6.9″), the processor (Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 on the base model vs the Pro variant on higher models) and especially camera technology: no LOFIC on the base model, standard LOFIC on the Pro, LOFIC 3.0 on the Pro Max.”,”jsonQuestion”:”Che differenza c’è tra Xiaomi 18, 18 Pro e 18 Pro Max?”,”jsonAnswer”:”The main difference concerns display size (6.4″ vs 6.3″ and 6.9″), the processor (Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 on the base model vs the Pro variant on higher models) and especially camera technology: no LOFIC on the base model, standard LOFIC on the Pro, LOFIC 3.0 on the Pro Max.”,”images”:[]}]} –>
Xiaomi 18 avrà anche una variante Ultra?
At the moment no, according to the rumors: development of the Ultra variant would be suspended, with the lead photography role probably absorbed by the Pro Max.
When will Xiaomi 18 be released in Italy?
There is not yet an official date. The most recent rumors indicate a possible Global arrival starting from December 2026 from the Indian market, with Italy and Europe potentially following, but without official confirmation.
How much will Xiaomi 18 cost?
There are no price figures leaked yet. The rumors indicate only a general increase over the previous generation.
What is the difference between Xiaomi 18, 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max?
The main difference concerns display size (6.4″ vs 6.3″ and 6.9″), the processor (Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 on the base model vs the Pro variant on higher models) and especially camera technology: no LOFIC on the base model, standard LOFIC on the Pro, LOFIC 3.0 on the Pro Max.
This page will be updated as soon as the Chinese company officially announces the Xiaomi 18 series: in the meantime, stay tuned by following all our dedicated articles in the Xiaomi section of GizChina.it.
Xiaomi 18 (standard and compact model)
Xiaomi 18 Pro (compact model but with rear display)
Xiaomi 18 Pro Max (extra-large model, still with rear display)
There are doubts about the future Xiaomi 18 Ultra: in previous generations the Ultra model completed the lineup as the top “Camera Phone”. However development would have been suspended according to a rumor from late May 2026: the leading photography role could be absorbed directly by the Pro Max, avoiding the launch of a separate model.
Two open scenarios remain according to sources: the Xiaomi-Leica collaboration could continue on other models, or the Ultra project could simply be postponed.
Deep dive in our dedicated article: Xiaomi 18 Ultra, stop to development: bad news for the Camera Phone?
Design
The Xiaomi 17 series in full – Credits: Xiaomi
At present there are no official confirmations on the design of the series and the rumors are not very convincing. Probably the 18 will continue to offer a square camera module with rounded corners, straight edges and flat displays with optimized bezels and a centered punch hole.
For the bigger siblings Xiaomi 18 Pro and Pro Max we expect a large rectangular island housing the cameras and a secondarydisplay (color and touch).
Regarding colors, there are whispers of the return of the Red color: it remains to be seen whether it will be a pure red shade or a burgundy red like the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max (in the Dark Cherry color).
Finally there are numerous rumors about a hardware and software feature similar to Samsung’s Privacy Display on the Galaxy S26 Ultra, to limit side visibility of the screen.
Camera: triple 200 + 50 + 200 MP (f/?) with OIS, ultra-wide and periscope telephoto/macro with OIS | Leica optics
Selfie camera: 100 MP (f/?)
Connectivity and others: Dual SIM 5G, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, NFC, Dual GPS, stereo speakers, USB-C 3.2 Gen 1, UWB
Operating system: Android 17 with HyperOS 4
Camera: LOFIC technology will be the real differentiator among the three models
All three models would share the same 200 MP main sensor, but would differ in LOFIC technology (Lateral Overflow Integration Capacitor), which manages excess light by collecting and processing excess electrons in real time when pixels saturate:
Xiaomi 18: no LOFIC technology
Xiaomi 18 Pro: standard LOFIC
Xiaomi 18 Pro Max: LOFIC 3.0
Release date: two scenarios compared
The rumors gathered so far are not entirely in agreement on the timing of the series launch, and we report both versions in chronological order:
June 2026 version: according to a rumor dated June 16, Xiaomi would adopt a two-event launch strategy, similar to the Apple approach for the iPhone 18: the Xiaomi 18 Pro and Pro Max would debut in September 2026, while the Xiaomi 18 standard would slip to early 2027, in line with Chinese New Year (February 2027).
August 2026 version: a more recent rumor, dated August 11, instead indicates a September 2026 launch of the Xiaomi 18 model (with the five colors mentioned above), with no mention of a delay.
Price
At the moment the only available data is a general trend: according to rumors, a price increase across the entire lineup is expected compared with the previous generation, with the Pro model positioned in the range previously occupied by the Pro Max.
And in Italy? The possible Global release
For the first time, according to collected rumors, Xiaomi would bring a top-tier “Pro” to Western markets, not just the standard model.
Xiaomi 18 Pro Max has already obtained EEC certification for Eastern European markets
A rumor from insider Abhishek Yadav indicates a possible Global launch in December 2026, starting from the Indian market, followed eventually by an arrival in Europe/Italy at a later time
The Chinese launch is still expected first, in September 2026
As also noted in our reference articles, these are still hypotheses: official brand confirmation is needed for Italian availability.
Why to watch Xiaomi 18
Beyond the individual specifications, there are three reasons why this launch is particularly interesting to follow:
The possible global debut of the Pro series, a groundbreaking move for Xiaomi’s business strategy outside China
The camera system, with 200 MP sensors on all three models and LOFIC technology differentiating the tiers, plus Leica partnership
The new hardware/software features, such as the rear display and the possible response to Samsung’s Privacy Display
Frequently Asked Questions
<!– wp:yoast/faq-block {"questions":[{"id":"faq-question-1786691122925","question":"Xiaomi 18 avrà anche una variante Ultra?","answer":"At the moment no, according to the rumors: development of the Ultra variant would be suspended, with the lead photography role probably absorbed by the Pro Max.","jsonQuestion":"Xiaomi 18 avrà anche una variante Ultra?","jsonAnswer":"At the moment no, according to the rumors: development of the Ultra variant would be suspended, with the lead photography role probably absorbed by the Pro Max.","images":[]},{"id":"faq-question-1786691132215","question":"Quando esce Xiaomi 18 in Italia?","answer":"There is not yet an official date. Recent rumors indicate a possible Global arrival starting from December 2026 from the Indian market, with Italy and Europe potentially following, but without official confirmation.","jsonQuestion":"Quando esce Xiaomi 18 in Italia?","jsonAnswer":"There is not yet an official date. Recent rumors indicate a possible Global arrival starting from December 2026 from the Indian market, with Italy and Europe potentially following, but without official confirmation.","images":[]},{"id":"faq-question-1786691140116","question":"Quanto costerà Xiaomi 18?“,”answer”:”There are no price figures leaked yet. The rumors indicate only a general increase compared to the previous generation.”,”jsonQuestion”:”Quanto costerà Xiaomi 18?“,”jsonAnswer”:”There are no price figures leaked yet. The rumors indicate only a general increase compared to the previous generation.”,”images”:[]},{“id”:”faq-question-1786691146899″,”question”:”Che differenza c’è tra Xiaomi 18, 18 Pro e 18 Pro Max?”,”answer”:”The main difference concerns display size (6.4″ vs 6.3″ and 6.9″), the processor (Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 on the base model vs the Pro variant on higher models) and especially camera technology: no LOFIC on the base model, standard LOFIC on the Pro, LOFIC 3.0 on the Pro Max.”,”jsonQuestion”:”Che differenza c’è tra Xiaomi 18, 18 Pro e 18 Pro Max?”,”jsonAnswer”:”The main difference concerns display size (6.4″ vs 6.3″ and 6.9″), the processor (Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 on the base model vs the Pro variant on higher models) and especially camera technology: no LOFIC on the base model, standard LOFIC on the Pro, LOFIC 3.0 on the Pro Max.”,”images”:[]}]} –>
Xiaomi 18 avrà anche una variante Ultra?
At the moment no, according to the rumors: development of the Ultra variant would be suspended, with the lead photography role probably absorbed by the Pro Max.
When will Xiaomi 18 be released in Italy?
There is not yet an official date. The most recent rumors indicate a possible Global arrival starting from December 2026 from the Indian market, with Italy and Europe potentially following, but without official confirmation.
How much will Xiaomi 18 cost?
There are no price figures leaked yet. The rumors indicate only a general increase over the previous generation.
What is the difference between Xiaomi 18, 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max?
The main difference concerns display size (6.4″ vs 6.3″ and 6.9″), the processor (Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 on the base model vs the Pro variant on higher models) and especially camera technology: no LOFIC on the base model, standard LOFIC on the Pro, LOFIC 3.0 on the Pro Max.
This page will be updated as soon as the Chinese company officially announces the Xiaomi 18 series: in the meantime, stay tuned by following all our dedicated articles in the Xiaomi section of GizChina.it.
Xiaomi 18 is the next flagship from the Chinese company, expected in a year when the brand seems ready to change its global launch strategy.
Among rumors about new colors, a Leica-branded camera system at the highest level, and, for the first time, a possible arrival of the Pro series on international markets, on this page we collect and update everything we know so far about Xiaomi 18, Xiaomi 18 Pro and Xiaomi 18 Pro Max, always distinguishing between rumors and official confirmations.
The Xiaomi 18 family: how many models will arrive
Xiaomi 17
From rumors collected so far, the Xiaomi 18 series should include three devices, as happened with the Xiaomi 17 family:
Xiaomi 18 Pro Max has already obtained EEC certification for Eastern European markets
A rumor from insider Abhishek Yadav indicates a possible Global launch in December 2026, starting from the Indian market, followed eventually by an arrival in Europe/Italy at a later time
The Chinese launch is still expected first, in September 2026
As also noted in our reference articles, these are still hypotheses: official brand confirmation is needed for Italian availability.
Why to watch Xiaomi 18
Beyond the individual specifications, there are three reasons why this launch is particularly interesting to follow:
The possible global debut of the Pro series, a groundbreaking move for Xiaomi’s business strategy outside China
The camera system, with 200 MP sensors on all three models and LOFIC technology differentiating the tiers, plus Leica partnership
The new hardware/software features, such as the rear display and the possible response to Samsung’s Privacy Display
Frequently Asked Questions
<!– wp:yoast/faq-block {"questions":[{"id":"faq-question-1786691122925","question":"Xiaomi 18 avrà anche una variante Ultra?","answer":"At the moment no, according to the rumors: development of the Ultra variant would be suspended, with the lead photography role probably absorbed by the Pro Max.","jsonQuestion":"Xiaomi 18 avrà anche una variante Ultra?","jsonAnswer":"At the moment no, according to the rumors: development of the Ultra variant would be suspended, with the lead photography role probably absorbed by the Pro Max.","images":[]},{"id":"faq-question-1786691132215","question":"Quando esce Xiaomi 18 in Italia?","answer":"There is not yet an official date. Recent rumors indicate a possible Global arrival starting from December 2026 from the Indian market, with Italy and Europe potentially following, but without official confirmation.","jsonQuestion":"Quando esce Xiaomi 18 in Italia?","jsonAnswer":"There is not yet an official date. Recent rumors indicate a possible Global arrival starting from December 2026 from the Indian market, with Italy and Europe potentially following, but without official confirmation.","images":[]},{"id":"faq-question-1786691140116","question":"Quanto costerà Xiaomi 18?“,”answer”:”There are no price figures leaked yet. The rumors indicate only a general increase compared to the previous generation.”,”jsonQuestion”:”Quanto costerà Xiaomi 18?“,”jsonAnswer”:”There are no price figures leaked yet. The rumors indicate only a general increase compared to the previous generation.”,”images”:[]},{“id”:”faq-question-1786691146899″,”question”:”Che differenza c’è tra Xiaomi 18, 18 Pro e 18 Pro Max?”,”answer”:”The main difference concerns display size (6.4″ vs 6.3″ and 6.9″), the processor (Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 on the base model vs the Pro variant on higher models) and especially camera technology: no LOFIC on the base model, standard LOFIC on the Pro, LOFIC 3.0 on the Pro Max.”,”jsonQuestion”:”Che differenza c’è tra Xiaomi 18, 18 Pro e 18 Pro Max?”,”jsonAnswer”:”The main difference concerns display size (6.4″ vs 6.3″ and 6.9″), the processor (Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 on the base model vs the Pro variant on higher models) and especially camera technology: no LOFIC on the base model, standard LOFIC on the Pro, LOFIC 3.0 on the Pro Max.”,”images”:[]}]} –>
Xiaomi 18 avrà anche una variante Ultra?
At the moment no, according to the rumors: development of the Ultra variant would be suspended, with the lead photography role probably absorbed by the Pro Max.
When will Xiaomi 18 be released in Italy?
There is not yet an official date. The most recent rumors indicate a possible Global arrival starting from December 2026 from the Indian market, with Italy and Europe potentially following, but without official confirmation.
How much will Xiaomi 18 cost?
There are no price figures leaked yet. The rumors indicate only a general increase over the previous generation.
What is the difference between Xiaomi 18, 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max?
The main difference concerns display size (6.4″ vs 6.3″ and 6.9″), the processor (Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 on the base model vs the Pro variant on higher models) and especially camera technology: no LOFIC on the base model, standard LOFIC on the Pro, LOFIC 3.0 on the Pro Max.
This page will be updated as soon as the Chinese company officially announces the Xiaomi 18 series: in the meantime, stay tuned by following all our dedicated articles in the Xiaomi section of GizChina.it.
Xiaomi 18: no LOFIC technology
Xiaomi 18 Pro: standard LOFIC
Xiaomi 18 Pro Max: LOFIC 3.0
Release date: two scenarios compared
The rumors gathered so far are not entirely in agreement on the timing of the series launch, and we report both versions in chronological order:
June 2026 version: according to a rumor dated June 16, Xiaomi would adopt a two-event launch strategy, similar to the Apple approach for the iPhone 18: the Xiaomi 18 Pro and Pro Max would debut in September 2026, while the Xiaomi 18 standard would slip to early 2027, in line with Chinese New Year (February 2027).
August 2026 version: a more recent rumor, dated August 11, instead indicates a September 2026 launch of the Xiaomi 18 model (with the five colors mentioned above), with no mention of a delay.
Price
At the moment the only available data is a general trend: according to rumors, a price increase across the entire lineup is expected compared with the previous generation, with the Pro model positioned in the range previously occupied by the Pro Max.
And in Italy? The possible Global release
For the first time, according to collected rumors, Xiaomi would bring a top-tier “Pro” to Western markets, not just the standard model.
Xiaomi 18 Pro Max has already obtained EEC certification for Eastern European markets
A rumor from insider Abhishek Yadav indicates a possible Global launch in December 2026, starting from the Indian market, followed eventually by an arrival in Europe/Italy at a later time
The Chinese launch is still expected first, in September 2026
As also noted in our reference articles, these are still hypotheses: official brand confirmation is needed for Italian availability.
Why to watch Xiaomi 18
Beyond the individual specifications, there are three reasons why this launch is particularly interesting to follow:
The possible global debut of the Pro series, a groundbreaking move for Xiaomi’s business strategy outside China
The camera system, with 200 MP sensors on all three models and LOFIC technology differentiating the tiers, plus Leica partnership
The new hardware/software features, such as the rear display and the possible response to Samsung’s Privacy Display
Frequently Asked Questions
<!– wp:yoast/faq-block {"questions":[{"id":"faq-question-1786691122925","question":"Xiaomi 18 avrà anche una variante Ultra?","answer":"At the moment no, according to the rumors: development of the Ultra variant would be suspended, with the lead photography role probably absorbed by the Pro Max.","jsonQuestion":"Xiaomi 18 avrà anche una variante Ultra?","jsonAnswer":"At the moment no, according to the rumors: development of the Ultra variant would be suspended, with the lead photography role probably absorbed by the Pro Max.","images":[]},{"id":"faq-question-1786691132215","question":"Quando esce Xiaomi 18 in Italia?","answer":"There is not yet an official date. Recent rumors indicate a possible Global arrival starting from December 2026 from the Indian market, with Italy and Europe potentially following, but without official confirmation.","jsonQuestion":"Quando esce Xiaomi 18 in Italia?","jsonAnswer":"There is not yet an official date. Recent rumors indicate a possible Global arrival starting from December 2026 from the Indian market, with Italy and Europe potentially following, but without official confirmation.","images":[]},{"id":"faq-question-1786691140116","question":"Quanto costerà Xiaomi 18?“,”answer”:”There are no price figures leaked yet. The rumors indicate only a general increase compared to the previous generation.”,”jsonQuestion”:”Quanto costerà Xiaomi 18?“,”jsonAnswer”:”There are no price figures leaked yet. The rumors indicate only a general increase compared to the previous generation.”,”images”:[]},{“id”:”faq-question-1786691146899″,”question”:”Che differenza c’è tra Xiaomi 18, 18 Pro e 18 Pro Max?”,”answer”:”The main difference concerns display size (6.4″ vs 6.3″ and 6.9″), the processor (Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 on the base model vs the Pro variant on higher models) and especially camera technology: no LOFIC on the base model, standard LOFIC on the Pro, LOFIC 3.0 on the Pro Max.”,”jsonQuestion”:”Che differenza c’è tra Xiaomi 18, 18 Pro e 18 Pro Max?”,”jsonAnswer”:”The main difference concerns display size (6.4″ vs 6.3″ and 6.9″), the processor (Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 on the base model vs the Pro variant on higher models) and especially camera technology: no LOFIC on the base model, standard LOFIC on the Pro, LOFIC 3.0 on the Pro Max.”,”images”:[]}]} –>
Xiaomi 18 avrà anche una variante Ultra?
At the moment no, according to the rumors: development of the Ultra variant would be suspended, with the lead photography role probably absorbed by the Pro Max.
When will Xiaomi 18 be released in Italy?
There is not yet an official date. The most recent rumors indicate a possible Global arrival starting from December 2026 from the Indian market, with Italy and Europe potentially following, but without official confirmation.
How much will Xiaomi 18 cost?
There are no price figures leaked yet. The rumors indicate only a general increase over the previous generation.
What is the difference between Xiaomi 18, 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max?
The main difference concerns display size (6.4″ vs 6.3″ and 6.9″), the processor (Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 on the base model vs the Pro variant on higher models) and especially camera technology: no LOFIC on the base model, standard LOFIC on the Pro, LOFIC 3.0 on the Pro Max.
This page will be updated as soon as the Chinese company officially announces the Xiaomi 18 series: in the meantime, stay tuned by following all our dedicated articles in the Xiaomi section of GizChina.it.
Xiaomi 18 (standard and compact model)
Xiaomi 18 Pro (compact model but with rear display)
Xiaomi 18 Pro Max (extra-large model, still with rear display)
There are doubts about the future Xiaomi 18 Ultra: in previous generations the Ultra model completed the lineup as the top “Camera Phone”. However development would have been suspended according to a rumor from late May 2026: the leading photography role could be absorbed directly by the Pro Max, avoiding the launch of a separate model.
Two open scenarios remain according to sources: the Xiaomi-Leica collaboration could continue on other models, or the Ultra project could simply be postponed.
Deep dive in our dedicated article: Xiaomi 18 Ultra, stop to development: bad news for the Camera Phone?
Design
The Xiaomi 17 series in full – Credits: Xiaomi
At present there are no official confirmations on the design of the series and the rumors are not very convincing. Probably the 18 will continue to offer a square camera module with rounded corners, straight edges and flat displays with optimized bezels and a centered punch hole.
For the bigger siblings Xiaomi 18 Pro and Pro Max we expect a large rectangular island housing the cameras and a secondarydisplay (color and touch).
Regarding colors, there are whispers of the return of the Red color: it remains to be seen whether it will be a pure red shade or a burgundy red like the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max (in the Dark Cherry color).
Finally there are numerous rumors about a hardware and software feature similar to Samsung’s Privacy Display on the Galaxy S26 Ultra, to limit side visibility of the screen.
Camera: triple 200 + 50 + 200 MP (f/?) with OIS, ultra-wide and periscope telephoto/macro with OIS | Leica optics
Selfie camera: 100 MP (f/?)
Connectivity and others: Dual SIM 5G, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, NFC, Dual GPS, stereo speakers, USB-C 3.2 Gen 1, UWB
Operating system: Android 17 with HyperOS 4
Camera: LOFIC technology will be the real differentiator among the three models
All three models would share the same 200 MP main sensor, but would differ in LOFIC technology (Lateral Overflow Integration Capacitor), which manages excess light by collecting and processing excess electrons in real time when pixels saturate:
Xiaomi 18: no LOFIC technology
Xiaomi 18 Pro: standard LOFIC
Xiaomi 18 Pro Max: LOFIC 3.0
Release date: two scenarios compared
The rumors gathered so far are not entirely in agreement on the timing of the series launch, and we report both versions in chronological order:
June 2026 version: according to a rumor dated June 16, Xiaomi would adopt a two-event launch strategy, similar to the Apple approach for the iPhone 18: the Xiaomi 18 Pro and Pro Max would debut in September 2026, while the Xiaomi 18 standard would slip to early 2027, in line with Chinese New Year (February 2027).
August 2026 version: a more recent rumor, dated August 11, instead indicates a September 2026 launch of the Xiaomi 18 model (with the five colors mentioned above), with no mention of a delay.
Price
At the moment the only available data is a general trend: according to rumors, a price increase across the entire lineup is expected compared with the previous generation, with the Pro model positioned in the range previously occupied by the Pro Max.
And in Italy? The possible Global release
For the first time, according to collected rumors, Xiaomi would bring a top-tier “Pro” to Western markets, not just the standard model.
Xiaomi 18 Pro Max has already obtained EEC certification for Eastern European markets
A rumor from insider Abhishek Yadav indicates a possible Global launch in December 2026, starting from the Indian market, followed eventually by an arrival in Europe/Italy at a later time
The Chinese launch is still expected first, in September 2026
As also noted in our reference articles, these are still hypotheses: official brand confirmation is needed for Italian availability.
Why to watch Xiaomi 18
Beyond the individual specifications, there are three reasons why this launch is particularly interesting to follow:
The possible global debut of the Pro series, a groundbreaking move for Xiaomi’s business strategy outside China
The camera system, with 200 MP sensors on all three models and LOFIC technology differentiating the tiers, plus Leica partnership
The new hardware/software features, such as the rear display and the possible response to Samsung’s Privacy Display
Frequently Asked Questions
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Xiaomi 18 avrà anche una variante Ultra?
At the moment no, according to the rumors: development of the Ultra variant would be suspended, with the lead photography role probably absorbed by the Pro Max.
When will Xiaomi 18 be released in Italy?
There is not yet an official date. The most recent rumors indicate a possible Global arrival starting from December 2026 from the Indian market, with Italy and Europe potentially following, but without official confirmation.
How much will Xiaomi 18 cost?
There are no price figures leaked yet. The rumors indicate only a general increase over the previous generation.
What is the difference between Xiaomi 18, 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max?
The main difference concerns display size (6.4″ vs 6.3″ and 6.9″), the processor (Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 on the base model vs the Pro variant on higher models) and especially camera technology: no LOFIC on the base model, standard LOFIC on the Pro, LOFIC 3.0 on the Pro Max.
This page will be updated as soon as the Chinese company officially announces the Xiaomi 18 series: in the meantime, stay tuned by following all our dedicated articles in the Xiaomi section of GizChina.it.
Gabriele Cascone
Innamorato della tecnologia, con un occhio di riguardo verso smartphone e gaming, è legato indissolubilmente al mondo Nerd. Serie TV, film, giochi, manga, anime e comics sono all'ordine del giorno.