© ROOT-NATION.com - Use of content is permitted with a backlink.
There are still a few months left until the launch of the new Xiaomi 18 series, but it has already been the subject of numerous leaks from the most reputable Chinese insiders. The big news this week is that the Xiaomi 18 Pro is reportedly undergoing testing with a hybrid privacy display that combines hardware and software solutions. Currently, this technology is only available on the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra.
In addition, the Pro lineup is rumored to feature two 200-megapixel cameras, a dedicated button for AI functions, and batteries with significantly higher capacity than those in previous-generation models.
Read also: AERONAUT – everything that flies above the ground: aviation, UAVs and drones, rockets, and space
Earlier this year, Samsung introduced hardware-level Privacy Display technology in the Galaxy S26 Ultra. It received positive reviews thanks to its narrow viewing angles, which protect the screen’s content from prying eyes without compromising the user experience for the device owner. According to available information, Xiaomi is also moving in this direction with the 18 Pro model, but with one key difference. A leak suggests the use of a hybrid hardware-software implementation rather than a purely hardware-based solution.
This aligns with the approach the company is exploring in HyperOS 4, where software-based viewing angle narrowing has already been confirmed. How effective such a system will be in practice will depend on whether the final product includes a dedicated hardware layer, as in Samsung’s case, or whether the primary focus will be on software algorithms.
The emergence of such rumors does not seem coincidental. Insider Digital Chat Station reported that Samsung is also testing the expanded use of Privacy Display technology in other upcoming Galaxy models. What was an exclusive feature of Ultra devices as recently as February is quickly becoming a new benchmark for the entire premium segment.
Read also: Xiaomi Smartphone Reviews
Now, virtually every Xiaomi flagship comes with a 200 MP main camera, so this spec is no longer anything out of the ordinary. But the changes regarding the telephoto lens are far more interesting. The Xiaomi 17 Pro and Pro Max used a 50-megapixel periscope module with a focal length of 115 mm and 5x optical zoom. According to rumors, the Xiaomi 18 Pro series will switch to a 200-megapixel periscope sensor with a focal length of 85 mm and approximately 3x optical zoom.
Although the base focal length will be shorter, the higher resolution should enable lossless digital zoom well beyond 85 mm. In this way, Xiaomi is effectively trying to compensate for the lack of optical zoom with the sensor’s capabilities. Only time will tell how successful this approach will be. If the information is confirmed, the presence of two 200-megapixel cameras will make the Xiaomi 18 Pro’s camera system one of the most ambitious in terms of resolution among this year’s Android flagships. It is expected to compete directly with the vivo X500 Ultra and the OPPO Find X10 Ultra.
Several sources also confirm that the Xiaomi 18 Pro will feature a dedicated button for AI functions. A single press will launch Xiaomi’s local AI assistant, Miclaw. A double press will allow users to interact with the Xiaomi SU7 electric vehicle, checking its status or starting it remotely. A long press will be used to activate smart home scenarios. This way, users will have access to three functions without having to open app menus. According to Xiaomi, this will demonstrate a deeper level of ecosystem integration than what Apple’s Action Button offers.
The most obvious upgrade may be an increase in battery capacity. According to available data, the base Xiaomi 18 will feature a 7,000–7,800 mAh battery instead of the 6,330 mAh battery in its predecessor. The Pro Max versions are rumored to feature an 8,500 mAh battery with support for 100 W wired charging and 50 W wireless charging.
As for processors, Qualcomm is rumored to offer two 2-nm chips. The base Xiaomi 18 and Xiaomi 18 Pro models may feature the standard Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 (SM8950), while the Pro Max version will use the Snapdragon SM8975 Pro with a high-performance graphics core, increased cache, and LPDDR6 support. However, it’s worth noting that the company has not officially confirmed any of these specifications, so all details will be officially revealed during the September launch event.
Read also:
- YU7 GT completes the Nürburgring without a driver: Xiaomi sets a new record
- First Impressions of the Xiaomi 17T Pro and Xiaomi’s May 2026 Launch Event