Xiaomi launched the Xiaomi 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max in China on 23 September 2026. Before the event, most details came from Xiaomi's own teasers, which TECHHaus Thailand rewrote from GSMArena. Official specs and China prices are now out, so this article separates pre-launch information from post-launch figures.
A hardware-level privacy display, the headline feature
Xiaomi's main selling point is a hardware-level Privacy Display, a screen that limits side viewing angles so people next to you can't peek. The idea is similar to the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, but Xiaomi stresses it works in the panel itself, not as a software filter.
Anyone who has felt a stranger reading their chats on the train will get the appeal. How it works day to day, such as whether it can be turned on per app, will have to wait for hands-on reviews.
Xiaomi's promo images include a side-by-side of two phones at different viewing angles. We can't confirm from a single image that it's a privacy-on versus privacy-off comparison.
Screen and battery
Both models use the new M11 OLED panel, which Xiaomi says is 20% more power-efficient than before, with peak brightness of 4,000 nits (a brightness unit; higher is easier to see in sunlight) and bezels of just 0.99 mm.
After launch, reports put the 18 Pro's front display at 6.4 inches and the 18 Pro Max's at 6.9 inches, with a 120Hz refresh rate.
The 18 Pro has a 7,000 mAh battery and the 18 Pro Max has 8,500 mAh, very large for flagships. Post-launch reports say both charge at 100W wired. Outlets disagree on wireless charging wattage, so we leave it out.
Two 200MP Leica cameras
Both models have a Leica-branded triple rear camera: a 200MP main camera and a 200MP periscope telephoto (a zoom lens that folds light sideways inside the body, allowing long zoom without a thick phone).
According to post-launch reports, the periscope offers 3.2x zoom and there is a 50MP ultrawide with a 102-degree field of view. The rear camera setup is the same on both models.
Chip, software and China pricing
Before launch, TECHHaus said the chip was 2nm and was expected to be the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 Pro. The actual names are now known from post-launch reports: the 18 Pro uses Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 and the 18 Pro Max uses Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6, not a chip with Pro in its name. The software is HyperOS 4.
China prices start at CNY 5,999 for the 18 Pro (12GB RAM, 256GB storage) and CNY 6,999 for the 18 Pro Max (the Pro Max price per FoneArena).
The rear display
The small rear display next to the camera island is the other standout. Before launch Xiaomi said it was upgraded and supports building apps with AI. Post-launch reports say it is 2.7 inches on the 18 Pro and 2.9 inches on the 18 Pro Max. Promo shots show an animal photo, car info and a status widget.
The dark grey version's rear screen glows orange in the promo image, showing it can also decorate the phone, not just show information.
Colours
TECHHaus listed black, Galaxy Blue and white before launch, but some post-launch reports list different colours (black, white, purple, green and a Transparent edition). We won't commit to a colour list until it is checked against Xiaomi's official page. The promo images show dark blue, white and dark grey units.
Side by side
| 18 Pro | 18 Pro Max | |
|---|---|---|
| Front display | 6.4-inch OLED, up to 4,000 nits | 6.9-inch OLED, up to 4,000 nits |
| Rear display | 2.7-inch | 2.9-inch |
| Battery | 7,000 mAh | 8,500 mAh |
| Rear cameras | 200MP main, 200MP periscope, 50MP ultrawide | Same as 18 Pro |
| Chip | Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 | Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6 |
| Starting price in China | CNY 5,999 | CNY 6,999 |
When will it reach Thailand
We found no official Thai price or release date. 9to5Google reports that Xiaomi has confirmed the Pro models will debut outside China, but no date has been given. All prices above are Chinese yuan and Thai pricing may differ.
Sources: TECHHaus Thailand (techhausth.com/91212, adapted from GSMArena), 9to5Google (9to5google.com/2026/09/23/xiaomi-18-pro-official-specs-features), FoneArena, iGeekphone, XimiTime
