Xiaomi 18 Pro series launch and new foldable introduction

Xiaomi has officially unveiled its flagship Xiaomi 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max series in China, positioning the devices as high-end competitors to Apple and Samsung. These models feature the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 processor and advanced camera systems developed in collaboration with Leica, including dual 200-megapixel sensors and a periscope telephoto lens.

In the Chinese market, the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max is distinguished by an 8,500mAh battery, a 6.9-inch 120Hz AMOLED display, and a secondary 2.86-inch OLED rear display for notifications and quick controls. The standard Xiaomi 18 Pro features a 7,000mAh battery and a 6.4-inch AMOLED display. High-end configurations for the series include up to 16GB of RAM and 1TB of storage.

A notable technical feature is the hardware-integrated ‘Privacy Screen’, designed to maintain brightness for the primary user while significantly darkening the display for anyone viewing from an angle greater than 60 degrees.

Expanding the launch, Xiaomi also introduced the Xiaomi 18 Fold, a wide-screen foldable device featuring a unique passport-style aspect ratio and a 6,000 mAh battery. Regarding international availability, Xiaomi Group President Lu Weibing confirmed that the Pro models are scheduled for a global rollout before the end of the year. This expansion marks a strategic shift for the company, which has previously limited its Pro-tier models to the Chinese market. The international launch is expected to reach markets including Europe, the Americas, and the Middle East. While technical discrepancies between regional models persist—with global variants expected to have lower battery capacities—the strategic integration with the Apple Watch via the HyperConnect framework remains a key component for facilitating transitions from iOS to Android.