
Xiaomi’s next flagship smartphone series is expected to debut in China this September, and leaks surrounding the standard Xiaomi 18 continue to gather pace. The latest information hints at a refreshed colour palette, while previous rumours suggest Xiaomi is sticking to its compact flagship formula with a few notable hardware upgrades. The Xiaomi 18 Pro series is also tipped to arrive in India by the end of this year.
According to tipster Digital Chat Station on Weibo, the Xiaomi 18 could be offered in five colours: Black, White, Pink, Blue, and Red. If accurate, the Red variant would be the only new addition compared to the Xiaomi 17, which debuted in China in Black, White, Blue, and Pink. The Xiaomi 17 later arrived in India in Black, Ice Blue, and Venture Green colour options.
The leak also suggests Xiaomi won’t make major changes to the phone’s design. The Xiaomi 18 is expected to retain the square camera module positioned in the top-left corner of the rear panel, giving it a familiar look. Previous reports indicate the handset will continue to target users who prefer compact smartphones, with a 6.4-inch 2K display featuring slim bezels, rounded corners, and a 19.5:9 aspect ratio.
While the design may remain largely unchanged, Xiaomi could focus on internal upgrades. Earlier leaks claim an engineering prototype of the Xiaomi 18 was tested with a 7,200mAh battery, a slight bump over the Xiaomi 17’s already sizeable 7,000mAh cell. The same prototype was also said to feature a 200MP primary camera with a 1/1.28-inch sensor, while the Pro models in the lineup are rumoured to offer dual 200MP rear cameras.
If these leaks prove accurate, the Xiaomi 18 could continue to stand out in a market for compact flagships with a large battery. If you’re looking for a flagship that is easier to use one-handed without compromising on battery life and cameras, you may find the Xiaomi 18 worth waiting for. For Xiaomi 17 owners, the incremental upgrades might not warrant an immediate switch, but those coming from older compact phones or looking for a powerful, pocket-friendly device should definitely consider it.
The Xiaomi 18 series is expected to launch in China in September, with an India debut reportedly planned for December, earlier than Xiaomi’s usual release timeline.