Xiaomi has begun selling its 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max smartphones in China, positioning them as the first handsets to adopt Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 chipset. The Max model is equipped with the higher‑end version of the chip. The company demonstrated the devices at the Snapdragon Summit held in Hawaii, signaling a push toward a worldwide release later in the year.
Hardware and Display
Both phones feature LTPO AMOLED panels with a variable refresh rate that can adjust between 1 Hz and 120 Hz, delivering a 2K resolution and a peak brightness of up to 4,000 nits. The 18 Pro carries a 6.4‑inch screen, while the larger 18 Pro Max offers a 6.9‑inch display. Xiaomi retains the secondary rear displays first seen on the 17 Pro series, allowing users to view notifications and run mini‑apps powered by the Xiao AI assistant.
Camera and Battery
The camera hardware remains unchanged from the previous generation, comprising a triple‑sensor array: a 200 MP primary lens with a 23 mm focal length, a 200 MP telephoto lens at 75 mm, and a 50 MP ultrawide sensor. Battery capacity has been increased, with the 18 Pro housing a 7,000 mAh cell and the 18 Pro Max a larger 8,500 mAh unit. Both models support 100 W wired fast charging, 50 W wireless charging and 27 W reverse wireless charging. Base configurations ship with 12 GB of RAM paired with 256 GB of internal storage.
Granular Privacy Screen
One of the standout features is a privacy‑focused screen that mirrors technology previously seen in Samsung’s Galaxy S26 Ultra. Xiaomi’s implementation adds more detailed controls: users can enable privacy mode for individual apps, which then obscures not only the app’s content but also notifications, split‑screen views and floating windows from side angles. The system can trigger the mode based on location or detect potential onlookers using the front‑facing camera, prompting the user to activate the feature. A side button also provides manual activation.
Pricing, Colors and Availability
In the Chinese market, the 18 Pro starts at 5,999 yuan (approximately $894) and the 18 Pro Max at 6,999 yuan (about $1,043). Both devices are offered in black, white, pink and blue, with a special‑edition red variant that features a partially transparent rear panel. Xiaomi has announced plans to bring the 18 Pro series to international markets later this year, though exact dates have not been disclosed.
Steve Lopez is a Senior Editorial Columnist and Health & Public Policy reporter for News Raise. Steve focuses on healthcare advancements, medical technologies, and public health policies.
