Highlights
- Xiaomi may launch the 18 Pro first, followed by the standard Xiaomi 18 later.
- Both models are expected to be available before the Chinese Spring Festival 2027.
- The Xiaomi 18 series is tipped to be more expensive than predecessors due to rising component and memory costs reflecting industry-wide price hikes.
Xiaomi’s upcoming flagship smartphone series could arrive with a different launch strategy this year. Xiaomi 18 recently appeared in the GSMA product database that also confirmed its existence. And now a new leak suggests that Xiaomi may not unveil the standard and Pro models together as it has done in previous generations. Here’s what we know so far.
Xiaomi 18 Pro Could Arrive First
According to tipster Digital Chat Station on Weibo, Xiaomi is reportedly planning to launch the Xiaomi 18 Pro series first and the standard Xiaomi 18 at a later date. The flagship lineup is still expected to debut around September, which aligns with Xiaomi’s usual release schedule for its premium smartphones.
However, the gap between the two launches is expected to be relatively short.
The tipster claims that both smartphones will be available for purchase before the Chinese Spring Festival scheduled to take place in February. This means buyers may not have to wait long between the release of the Pro and standard variants.
Interestingly, multiple reports have claimed that Apple’s upcoming iPhone lineup will also follow a similar scattered launch calendar. Apple could launch the iPhone 18 Pro models first, while the standard iPhone 18 may arrive later.
It appears Xiaomi could be adopting a similar approach for its next-generation flagship series.
Xiaomi 18 Series – Design Rumours
The leak also hints that Xiaomi could borrow another idea associated with Apple’s upcoming smartphones. Rumours suggest the company may introduce a signature red colour option for the Xiaomi 18 series, similar to the colour variant expected to debut with the iPhone 18 lineup.
While these claims remain unconfirmed, they add to growing speculation surrounding Xiaomi’s plans for its next flagship generation.
Xiaomi 18 Series To Get Costlier
Meanwhile, pricing could become a major talking point for the Xiaomi 18 series. According to reports, the upcoming smartphones are expected to be noticeably more expensive than their predecessors.
Industry-wide cost pressures and rising component prices are reportedly affecting several Android smartphone manufacturers, which will be leading to higher retail prices across the market.
Xiaomi founder Lei Jun has previously commented on the rising cost of memory components. According to him, memory prices have increased significantly and supply costs are expected to continue rising over the next two years. He also suggested that consumers planning to upgrade their smartphones may benefit from purchasing sooner rather than later as pricing pressures continue to build.
Xiaomi 18 Series – Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 Expected
As for features, the Xiaomi 18 series is expected to be among the first smartphones powered by Qualcomm’s next-generation Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 processor.
The new flagship chipset is anticipated to bring improvements in performance, efficiency, and AI capabilities.
For now, Xiaomi has not officially confirmed any details regarding the Xiaomi 18 or Xiaomi 18 Pro. More information is expected to surface as the anticipated September launch window approaches.
FAQs
Q1. Will Xiaomi launch the 18 and 18 Pro together?
Answer. Leaks suggest Xiaomi 18 Pro may launch first, with the standard Xiaomi 18 arriving later, both before the Chinese Spring Festival 2027.
Q2. Is the Xiaomi 18 series expected to be more expensive?
Answer. Yes, reports indicate a price hike due to rising component and memory costs, affecting multiple Android manufacturers.
Q3. What chipset will power the Xiaomi 18 series?
Answer. The lineup is expected to debut with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 processor, offering improved performance, efficiency, and AI features.
