A new leak suggests Xiaomi could introduce a different launch strategy for its upcoming Xiaomi 18 series. Instead of unveiling the standard and Pro variants together, the company is reportedly planning to launch the 18 Pro first, with the standard Xiaomi 18 expected to follow shortly after.
According to information shared by a well-known tipster on a Chinese social media platform, both smartphones are likely to be released before the Chinese Spring Festival, scheduled for February next year. The Xiaomi 18 Pro is reportedly expected to debut in September.
The reported approach marks a shift from Xiaomi’s previous launch pattern. Last year, the Xiaomi 17, 17 Pro, and 17 Pro Max were introduced together in September in China. The latest report indicates that Xiaomi may now separate the launch timeline of its flagship devices while keeping the gap between releases relatively short.
The strategy is also said to mirror reports surrounding Apple’s upcoming iPhone 18 lineup, where the Pro models are expected to arrive before the standard version.
On the specifications front, the Xiaomi 18 is tipped to feature a 6.4-inch display with 2K resolution. The device was recently spotted in the GSMA database under the codename “Madrid,” further fueling speculation about its development.
Both the Xiaomi 18 and 18 Pro are expected to retain Leica-branded camera systems. Reports suggest the smartphones could include dual 200-megapixel rear camera sensors, highlighting it’s continued focus on premium mobile photography.
The upcoming devices are also rumored to be powered by Qualcomm’s unreleased Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 Pro chipset, which is expected to deliver flagship-level performance.
While Xiaomi has not officially confirmed any details regarding the 18 series, the latest leak points to an earlier spotlight on the Pro model as the company prepares its next-generation flagship lineup.
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