Leak Highlights
- The Xiaomi 18 series might get a bigger screen—maybe 6.4 inches this time.
- Get ready for a camera bump. The Pro model and maybe others are rumored to pack a 200MP periscope telephoto lens.
- Under the hood? It could be one of the first phones with Qualcomm's next big chip, possibly called the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6.
Disclaimer: Look, this is all rumor and speculation. Nothing's official yet. Don't go canceling any pre-orders based on this.So here's the latest chatter from the usual suspects. The Xiaomi 18 series is shaping up to be a pretty hefty upgrade, if the whispers are true. We're talking a larger display and a monster 200MP camera setup.
About This Leak
Leak Source
- Leaker/Source: A whole bunch of 'em: Gizbot, GSMArena, Gizmochina, Croma, 91mobiles, Techjuice (Facebook)
- Track Record: It's a mixed bag. Some of these outlets aggregate tips from sources with decent histories. Others? Not so much.
- Leak Type: This is a stew of reports from tipsters, insiders, and tech blogs.
- Surfaced On: It's been floating around tech sites and social media since early 2026.
Reliability Assessment
Let's be real—this is a pile of rumors. Some details, like that 200MP periscope lens and the bigger screen, keep popping up in different places. That gives them a bit more weight. But the chip name and the launch date? Pure guesswork right now. Take it all with a massive grain of salt.
Leaked Design and Display
The talk is that the Xiaomi 18 might stretch its screen to 6.4 inches. That's up from the 6.3-inch panels on the 17 series. Not a huge jump, but it's something. A bigger canvas is always better for movies and games, right? Now, nobody's saying what kind of screen it is yet—AMOLED? High refresh rate?—so that's still a mystery. And remember, this size bump is only from a couple of reports. It's not confirmed.
Rumored Specifications
Powering this thing could be Qualcomm's next flagship chip. Gizmochina is throwing around the name "Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6." That's a mouthful, and it's not confirmed anywhere else. But the idea tracks: Xiaomi usually sticks the latest, greatest Snapdragon into its top phones. As for RAM and storage? No solid leaks yet. But you can bet there'll be a few high-end configurations to choose from.
Expected Camera System
Okay, here's the juicy part. The camera rumors are wild. Multiple sources are chirping about a dual 200MP setup on the back of the Xiaomi 18 Pro. We're talking a 200MP main sensor paired with a 200MP periscope telephoto lens. Some leaks even suggest this periscope lens could be across the whole lineup. Techjuice on Facebook mentions "self-developed imaging chips" too. If any of this is true, Xiaomi is coming for the camera crown. It's a massive spec jump on paper.
Anticipated Price and Launch Timeline
What's it gonna cost? When's it coming? Nobody knows. The leaks just say "later this year" or "ahead of expected." That's not helpful. Xiaomi's flagships usually drop in the first half of the year, often around February or March. But without any official hints or even regulatory filings, that's just a pattern, not a promise. Price? With all this rumored hardware—that next-gen chip, the crazy cameras—expect it to be expensive. Think premium, top-shelf pricing.
What Certifications Reveal
Here's a cold, hard fact: there are no certification listings for the Xiaomi 18 series. No FCC, no BIS, no TENAA. That tells us this phone isn't close to launching. Those filings are the last step before a phone hits shelves. When they start appearing, we'll get real details on batteries, connectivity, sometimes even design. Until then, we're just swimming in rumors.
Leaked Specifications at a Glance
| Feature | Leaked/Rumored Detail | Source | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Display Size | 6.4-inch (potentially larger than predecessor) | Gizbot, Croma | Medium |
| Processor | Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 (speculated) | Gizmochina | Low |
| Main Camera | 200MP | GSMArena, Gizbot, Croma, 91mobiles, Techjuice | High (corroborated across multiple sources) |
| Telephoto Camera | 200MP Periscope | GSMArena, Gizbot, Croma, 91mobiles, Techjuice | High (corroborated across multiple sources) |
| Camera Setup (Pro) | Dual 200MP sensors | GSMArena, 91mobiles | Medium |
| Self-developed Imaging Chips | Rumored | Techjuice | Low |
| Launch Timeline | Later this year / Ahead of expected (unspecified) | GSMArena, Gizmochina | Low |
| India Price | Not specified | N/A | N/A |
Confidence levels: High = multiple sources corroborate, Medium = single reliable source, Low = speculation or unverified tipster
How It Compares to Its Predecessor
| Feature | Xiaomi 17 / 17 Pro | Xiaomi 18 Series - Rumored |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (likely for Pro) | Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 (speculated) |
| Main Camera | Likely 50MP (Pro model had better hardware) | 200MP (rumored, potentially across lineup) |
| Telephoto Camera | Not specified for 17, but Pro likely had advanced zoom | 200MP Periscope (rumored) |
| Display Size | 6.3-inch | 6.4-inch (larger, rumored) |
| Camera Setup | Varied, Pro model had superior hardware | Dual 200MP (rumored for Pro), 200MP Periscope (across lineup, rumored) |
India Launch: What to Expect
Expected Launch Timeline
No certifications means no launch is imminent. But if Xiaomi sticks to its usual schedule, we'd see a global announcement in Q1 2026. An India launch could follow in early to mid-2026. That's a big "if," though. It's all speculation until we see those regulatory filings.
Expected India Pricing
There's no leaked price tag. But you can connect the dots. A next-gen chip, dual 200MP cameras? That's flagship-of-the-flagship stuff. Previous Xiaomi topsellers launched in India between ₹40,000 and ₹60,000-plus. The 18 series will probably sit at the very top of that range, or even push past it.
Expected Availability
Xiaomi doesn't play games with availability in India. When this phone launches, you'll find it everywhere. We're talking Amazon India, Flipkart, Xiaomi's own website, and probably every major phone store in your city. They'll make sure you can get one.
BIS Certification Status
Nope. Nothing yet. The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) hasn't seen it. That's your sign that this phone isn't hitting Indian shelves next week, or even next month. The BIS stamp usually shows up a few weeks before sales start.
What We Still Do Not Know
- Official Launch Date: Not a clue. "Later this year" is as specific as it gets.
- Confirmed Specifications: Battery size? Charging speed? RAM options? Screen tech? All still mysteries.
- Chipset Confirmation: "Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6" is a guess. We don't know the official name or how fast it really is.
- Full Variant Lineup: We hear a lot about the Pro model. What about a standard Xiaomi 18? An Ultra? No idea.
- Official Pricing: No reliable numbers have leaked for anywhere in the world.
- Design Renders: What will it look like? Your guess is as good as mine. No pics have leaked.
- Software Features: What will MIUI or HyperOS look like on this thing? Any new AI tricks? Nobody's saying.
Frequently Asked Questions
How reliable are these leaks?
Some parts are more reliable than others. The 200MP camera talk comes from enough different places that there's probably a fire under all that smoke. The bigger screen has a few sources. But the chipset name and launch window are shaky—treat those as educated guesses at best.
When is the official announcement expected?
Given the total lack of official steps like certifications, it's not happening soon. If we go by Xiaomi's past, maybe Q1 2026. But that's a big "if." Don't mark your calendar yet.
Should I wait for this phone or buy now?
That's the eternal question. If you need a phone today, buy a phone today. The current flagships are fantastic. But if you can wait, and if these camera rumors are even half-true, the Xiaomi 18 could be something special. It's a gamble, though.
How different will the final product be from these leaks?
Hardware specs like camera sensors and screen size often leak accurately. The final design, software, and especially the price? Those can change right up until the moment Xiaomi's CEO walks on stage. Take the flashy numbers with a pinch of salt.
Where will it be available in India?
Everywhere. Seriously. Xiaomi has a huge distribution network. You'll be able to buy it online from all the major platforms and in stores across the country.
The Bigger Picture
Look, if even half of this is true, the Xiaomi 18 Pro is aiming to be a monster. A 200MP periscope lens? That's a statement. A newer, faster chip? Expected, but welcome. It's shaping up to be a major player in the next premium phone fight.
But here's the thing—these are early, early rumors. The real specs, the final design, the actual price? They could be completely different. We'll keep an eye on it and update you when we know more. For now, it's a fascinating preview of what might be coming.
Sources
- Gizbot
- GSMArena
- Gizmochina
- Croma
- 91mobiles
- Techjuice (Facebook)