Introduction
Xiaomi’s new 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max launched in China today, featuring a flexible take on the privacy display technology introduced on Samsung’s Galaxy S26 Ultra. They combine this hardware with returning rear secondary screens, dual 200-megapixel cameras, and Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 processors. A global rollout is confirmed for later this year, which is a welcome change after last year’s 17 Pro models skipped international markets.
Xiaomi’s new 18 Pro phones improve on Samsung’s privacy display
An international launch is scheduled for later this year.
Both 18 Pro devices include rear displays, continuing the design trend from the previous generation.
The two devices look similar to the 17 Pro series, featuring compact secondary displays built around the rear camera modules that handle notifications, selfies, and basic interactive tasks.
Upgraded Hardware Privacy Screen
The most significant upgrades are on the front panel, which incorporates hardware-level privacy features similar to Samsung's implementation. Xiaomi's version offers enhanced versatility: when enabled for a specific app, it functions during active use as well as within notifications, floating windows, and split-screen views without affecting the rest of the display. Location-based triggers allow users to automate activation upon arriving at work or home, alongside smart triggers for public areas like elevators or airports. Additionally, the selfie camera can detect prying eyes and prompt the user to enable privacy mode.
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Xiaomi’s take on the privacy display can filter notifications by app.
Display Sizes, Batteries, and Performance
The two phones differ in overall physical dimensions, utilizing a 6.4-inch display for the standard Pro and a 6.9-inch panel for the Pro Max. Battery capacities scale accordingly at 7,000mAh and 8,500mAh, built with a high 32 percent silicon content. Performance is driven by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 6 Elite in the Pro model and the Extreme variant in the Pro Max.
Camera Hardware Specifications
Imaging capabilities are anchored by a 200-megapixel main sensor featuring a large 1/1.28-inch type sensor, utilizing the Light Fusion 960 on the Pro and the 960L on the Pro Max. A secondary 200-megapixel 75mm telephoto lens is shared across both phones, utilizing Samsung’s 1/1.56-inch HP5 sensor with a minimum focus distance of 12cm, accompanied by a 50-megapixel ultrawide camera.
The physical exterior design remains largely unchanged year-over-year.
The auxiliary rear display continues to wrap around the camera housing.
The designated hero color for this product cycle is designated as starry river blue.
While the Pro Max has a larger footprint than the standard Pro, the core internal specifications remain closely aligned.
Pricing and Market Availability
Xiaomi’s release coincides with similar flagship announcements from competitors like Vivo and Oppo. The 18 Pro series starts at ¥5,999 (approximately $900) and joins the 18 Fold in the manufacturer's expanding lineup, while standard and Ultra variants are anticipated next spring. International availability has been confirmed for at least one 18 Pro device later this year.
