Chinese smartphone makers suspend Xiaomi 18 Ultra and certify vivo X500 Pro Max ahead of launches

Xiaomi is reported to have suspended development of its planned flagship, the Xiaomi 18 Ultra. Industry sources cite high component costs, production challenges and chip‑supply constraints as reasons, and say the company is shifting resources to the upcoming Xiaomi 18 Pro Max, which will use the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 Pro processor and incorporate some of the Ultra’s camera technologies. Xiaomi has not confirmed the pause, and rumors suggest a Xiaomi 19 Ultra may arrive by 2027.

Separately, vivo’s flagship X500 Pro Max has received certification from Indonesia’s TKDN authority, signaling that the device is moving toward a global release. The phone is expected to debut in China in September before reaching international markets. Leaked specifications list a 6.85‑inch 2K OLED display with a 144 Hz refresh rate, a 50 MP primary sensor, a 200 MP periscope telephoto lens, a 50 MP ultra‑wide sensor, a 7 000 mAh battery and the MediaTek Dimensity 9600 chipset.