Highlights
- A leak suggests Xiaomi 18 may skip Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 Pro in the standard model due to high costs, reserving it for Pro/Max variants.
- Xiaomi 18 Pro is rumoured to feature dual 200MP sensors, one primary and one telephoto/periscope.
- Qualcomm is expected to unveil the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 series in September.
Xiaomi 17 Series in the picture for reference. (Image credit – Xiaomi)
Xiaomi’s upcoming flagship series is already drawing attention ahead of its expected debut in the second half of the year. A recent leak from China now indicates that Xiaomi could differentiate the Xiaomi 18 series more clearly by assigning different processors to the standard and Pro models. Here’s what we know so far.
Standard Xiaomi 18 Could Miss Out on Pro Chipset
As per a Weibo post and related comments by tipster Digital Chat Station, the base Xiaomi 18 is likely to run on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 chipset instead of the higher-end Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 Pro variant. The reported reason behind this move is cost.
The Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 Pro is said to carry a substantially higher price tag. Including it in the standard Xiaomi 18 could significantly increase the phone’s price. To avoid this, Xiaomi is reportedly planning to reserve the premium Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 Pro chip for its higher-tier offerings, which are expected to include the Xiaomi 18 Pro and Xiaomi 18 Pro Max.
Qualcomm is rumoured to unveil the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 series in September. Xiaomi’s 18 lineup is expected to launch soon after the chipset announcement.
For context, the current Xiaomi 17 lineup including the Xiaomi 17, Xiaomi 17 Pro, Xiaomi 17 Pro Max, and Xiaomi 17 Ultra is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor. Qualcomm did not release a “Pro” version of that chip, meaning all variants in the Xiaomi 17 family use the same SoC.
If the new leak proves accurate, the Xiaomi 18 series could mark a shift in strategy with more pronounced performance differences between the standard and Pro models.
Xiaomi 18 Pro May Feature Dual 200MP Cameras
In a previous claim, the same tipster revealed that Xiaomi is testing two 200-megapixel camera sensors for a compact 6.3-inch flagship device, widely believed to be the Xiaomi 18 Pro. One of these sensors could serve as the primary camera, while the other may function as a telephoto or periscope lens.
If this setup materialises, Xiaomi could join Oppo as one of the Chinese smartphone brands adopting dual 200-megapixel sensors in its flagship devices.
While these details remain unofficial, they suggest that Xiaomi’s 2026 flagship lineup may focus on balancing cost, performance, and premium features across the Xiaomi 18 series.
FAQs
Q1. Why might the standard Xiaomi 18 skip the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 Pro chip?
Answer. The Pro chip carries a much higher price, and including it in the base model could raise costs significantly. Xiaomi plans to reserve it for Pro and Pro Max variants.
Q2. What chipset is the standard Xiaomi 18 expected to use?
Answer. It is likely to run on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6, while the Pro and Pro Max models may feature the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 Pro.
Q3. What camera setup is rumoured for the Xiaomi 18 Pro?
Answer. The Xiaomi 18 Pro may include dual 200MP sensors, one as the primary camera and the other as a telephoto or periscope lens.