Xiaomi 18 series leak hints at major camera upgrades across lineup

Early leaks have started revealing initial details about Xiaomi’s next-generation flagship lineup. A fresh leak by tipster Digital Chat Station suggests that the Xiaomi 18 series could introduce meaningful changes, particularly in areas where the standard model previously lagged behind. While the phones are still months away from launch, the information shared so far points to a more premium direction for the entire lineup.

Xiaomi 18 series camera and hardware upgrades tipped

According to the tipster, all models in the Xiaomi 18 series are expected to feature a periscope telephoto camera. If accurate, this would mark a notable shift, as the vanilla Xiaomi 17 only offered a standard telephoto lens, while periscope cameras were previously limited to higher-end variants.

The upcoming Xiaomi 18 is said to inherit a 50MP periscope telephoto camera similar to the one found on the Xiaomi 17 Pro, offering up to 5x optical zoom. This change suggests Xiaomi may be aiming to narrow the hardware gap between its standard and Pro models.

In addition to the periscope camera, the leak claims that all Xiaomi 18 phones will support wireless charging and feature an ultrasonic fingerprint sensor. High-level dust and water resistance is also mentioned, pointing towards improved durability across the lineup.

Chipset and launch timeframe (rumoured)

Beyond cameras, reports indicate that the Xiaomi 18 series could be powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6. This chipset is expected to power the Xiaomi 18, 18 Pro, and 18 Pro Max models, while the 18 Ultra could feature the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 Pro.

The Xiaomi 17 series debuted in China in September 2025, with the Ultra model arriving later in the year. Following a similar timeline, the Xiaomi 18 lineup is expected to be announced in the second half of this year, possibly around September.

There is currently no information regarding the Xiaomi 18 series’ India launch. However, considering that the Xiaomi 17 and 17 Ultra are expected to debut globally (including India) around March, the Xiaomi 18 series could reach global markets in March 2026.

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Stay tuned to Unboxed by Croma for all the updates on the Xiaomi 18 series.