Xiaomi 18: Global launch before Christmas, with a triple surprise

There is talk of the anticipated debut of the Xiaomi 18 series, but this change should not concern only the release in China. The Global version is also expected earlier than usual, and now a well-known insider reveals the exact release window: the future flagship lineup could make its first appearance before Christmas, and this time it seems that the Ultra variant will be missing from the lineup.

Xiaomi 18 Global will arrive earlier than expected: what we know about the new international series

Xiaomi 17
Xiaomi 17 – Credits: Xiaomi

Starting from the launch in China, usually the presentation of Xiaomi’s flagship devices takes place shortly after the release of the latest Snapdragon flagship. Some rumors talk about an early August launch, but that seems unlikely since Qualcomm’s annual summit will be held from 22 to 24 September.

Whatever the release date in the homeland, there has long been talk that the Global top-series will be announced by the end of the year. Generally the brand’s flagship stage is the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, but this time things seem to go differently.

Xiaomi 18 Global is expected in early December, at least for the Indian market. Moreover this generation should kick off the international revolution: for the first time the Ultra flagship model will be missing and in its place the complete family will arrive. This means that there will be Xiaomi 18, 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max, with the latter taking on the role of the definitive Camera Phone.

However the Pro Max model will be distributed in very limited quantities: clearly this refers to the Indian market and it remains to be seen whether the full range will debut in Europe or there will be changes.

In the meantime we leave you with the technical specifications so far, the result of leaks and continually updated.

Alleged technical specs (updated July 20)

FeatureXiaomi 18Xiaomi 18 ProXiaomi 18 Pro Max
Dimensions and weight///
Colors///
CertificationIP68IP68IP68
DisplayFlat OLED 6.4″ 1.5K, LPTO, 120 Hz LTPO refresh rate, touch sampling at 300 Hz, 12-bit color, DC Dimming 2,160 Hz and peak brightness up to 3,500 nitsFlat AMOLED 6.3″ 1.5K (2,656 × 1,220 px), LPTO, 120 Hz LTPO refresh rate, touch sampling at 300 Hz, 12-bit color, DC Dimming 2,160 Hz and peak brightness up to 3,500 nits, Xiaomi Shield GlassFlat AMOLED 6.9″ 1.5K (2,608 × 1,200 px), LPTO, 120 Hz LTPO refresh rate, touch sampling at 300 Hz, 12-bit color, DC Dimming 2,160 Hz and peak brightness up to 3,500 nits, Xiaomi Shield Glass
Rear displayFlat AMOLED 4″ HD, LTPO 120 Hz, touch 120 Hz, DC Dimming and 3,500 nitFlat AMOLED 2.9″ HD (976 × 596 px), LTPO 120 Hz, touch 120 Hz, DC Dimming and 3,500 nit
SecurityUnder-display fingerprint reader (ultrasonic)Under-display fingerprint reader (ultrasonic)Under-display fingerprint reader (ultrasonic)
CoolingLiquid cooling with vapor chamberLiquid cooling with vapor chamberLiquid cooling with vapor chamber
SoCSnapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6, 2 nm TSMC (N2p)Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 Pro, 2 nm TSMCSnapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 Pro, 2 nm TSMC
CPUOcta-core (2 + 3 + 3)Octa-core
2 × 5.0/6.0 GHz – Oryon
3 × ? GHz – Oryon
3 × ? GHz – Oryon
Octa-core
2 × 5.0/6.0 GHz – Oryon
3 × ? GHz – Oryon
3 × ? GHz – Oryon
GPUAdreno 850Adreno 850Adreno 850
RAM12/16 GB LPDDR5X12/16 GB LPDDR612/16 GB LPDDR6
Storage256/512 GB/1 TB UFS 4.1 non expandable256/512 GB/1 TB UFS 5.0 not expandable256/512 GB/1 TB UFS 5.0 not expandable
BatteryOver 7,000 mAh7,000 mAh8,500 mAh
Charging100W, wireless 50W, reverse wired/wireless 22.5W100W, wireless 50W, reverse wired/wireless 22.5W100W, wireless 50W, reverse wired/wireless 22.5W
CameraTriple 200 + 50 + 200 MP (f/?) with Light Fusion, OIS, ultra-wide and periscope telephoto with OIS | Leica opticsTriple 200 + 50 + 200 MP (f/?) with OIS, LOFIC, ultra-wide and periscope telephoto/macro with OIS | Leica opticsTriple 200 + 50 + 200 MP (f/?) with OIS, LOFIC 3.0, ultra-wide and periscope telephoto/macro with OIS | Leica optics
Selfie camera50 MP (f/2.2), FOV 90°, autofocus100 MP (f/?)100 MP (f/?)
Connectivity and othersDual SIM 5G, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6.0, NFC, Dual GPS, speaker stereo, USB-C 3.2 Gen 1Dual SIM 5G, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, NFC, Dual GPS, speaker stereo, USB-C 3.2 Gen 1, UWBDual SIM 5G, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, NFC, Dual GPS, speaker stereo, USB-C 3.2 Gen 1, UWB
Operating systemAndroid 17 with HyperOS 4Android 17 with HyperOS 4Android 17 with HyperOS