The upcoming Xiaomi 18 is expected to feature a periscope telephoto camera, likely carrying over the 50MP f/3.0 sensor with 5x optical zoom from the Xiaomi 17 Pro. That’s according to leaker Digital Chat Station, a reliable source for Chinese smartphone news.

Further improvements include an ultrasonic fingerprint scanner, wireless charging, and high dust and water resistance. The device will likely run on a Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 SoC, though whether the standard or Pro variant remains uncertain. These upgrades aim to keep Xiaomi competitive in the premium Android market.

Expect the Xiaomi 18 launch around September 2026. Industry watchers anticipate Xiaomi will position this model as a flagship alternative, matching rivals like Samsung and Google in camera performance and build quality. Pricing and regional availability will be key factors to monitor.