Xiaomi has revealed its standard 18 model will skip Qualcomm's top-tier Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 Pro chipset, opting instead for the regular Gen 6 version due to cost concerns. The company's premium variants, the 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max, will reportedly feature the more powerful Pro chip.

The decision comes as Xiaomi prepares to launch its next flagship family in September, immediately following Qualcomm's chipset announcement. This continues a long-standing partnership where Xiaomi receives early access to Qualcomm's newest processors, though exclusivity periods remain brief.

Previous rumors suggest the Xiaomi 18 will include a 50MP periscope telephoto camera similar to its predecessor. By using the standard Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 for its base model, Xiaomi appears to be strategically positioning its flagship lineup to offer tiered performance options at different price points.