Xiaomi has unveiled its 18 Pro series with a new Snapdragon chip, privacy-focused displays, and some of the largest batteries in the company’s phone lineup. The 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max are now available in China, while a global launch is confirmed for later this year.
The phones were shown at the Snapdragon Summit in Hawaii and are among the first handsets to use Qualcomm’s latest mobile chipset, the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6. The 18 Pro Max uses the higher-end version of that chip, giving the larger model a clear position at the top of the series.
A privacy screen with more control
The standout feature may be the display privacy system. The screens work in a way similar to those on Samsung’s Galaxy S26 Ultra, limiting what people nearby can see. Xiaomi’s system adds more detailed controls, including the ability to turn privacy protection on for specific apps.
Users can also set location-based triggers, so the privacy feature can respond to where the phone is being used. The front-facing camera can detect potential snoops and suggest enabling the privacy setting. That gives the feature a more active role instead of leaving users to remember when to switch it on.
This approach puts the focus on control rather than a single privacy mode. Someone could set the feature for certain apps, use location triggers, or follow a prompt after the front-facing camera detects a possible snoop.
Bright displays in two sizes
The 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max use LTPO AMOLED panels with a variable refresh rate from 1Hz to 120Hz. They also offer 2K resolution and peak brightness of 4,000 nits, giving both phones the same core display specifications despite their different sizes.
The 18 Pro has a 6.4-inch display, while the 18 Pro Max stretches to 6.9 inches. That leaves buyers choosing between a smaller phone and a larger screen, with the Pro Max also pairing its bigger body with the higher-end version of the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6.
Three rear cameras and very large batteries
Both phones use the same rear camera array. It includes a 200-megapixel, 23mm main lens, a 200-megapixel, 75mm telephoto, and a 50MP ultrawide. Xiaomi has therefore kept the camera setup consistent across the two models instead of giving the larger phone a different rear system.
The batteries are larger than last time, with a 7,000mAh cell in the 18 Pro and an 8,500mAh cell in the 18 Pro Max. Both models support 100W wired charging, 50W wireless charging, and 27W reverse wireless charging.
That charging mix covers three different uses: wired charging for the fastest option listed, wireless charging for convenience, and reverse wireless charging when the phone needs to share power. The 18 Pro Max combines the largest battery in the series with the biggest display and higher-end chipset version.
Memory, colors, and China pricing
The base versions come with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. Xiaomi will offer the phones in black, white, pink, and blue, along with a special-edition red version that has some transparency on the rear.
The 18 Pro starts at 5,999 yuan ($894), while the 18 Pro Max starts at 6,999 yuan ($1,043). Those prices apply to the China launch, where both phones are already available.
The global release is planned for later this year, giving shoppers outside China a reason to watch for more details. Xiaomi has confirmed that launch, but the available facts do not include a global price or release date.
For now, the 18 Pro series stands out through the combination of the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6, privacy controls with app and location settings, bright 1-120Hz displays, matching 200-megapixel camera systems, and large batteries. The 18 Pro Max adds the bigger screen, the larger battery, and the higher-end chip version, while both models share the main features across the lineup.
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