Xiaomi Unveils the 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max with Enhanced Privacy Features

Xiaomi has officially launched its latest smartphones, the 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max, in China. These new models showcase innovative privacy display technology, building on the advancements introduced with the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra earlier this year. Both devices are equipped with dual 200-megapixel cameras and powered by Qualcomm’s newly released Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 chips. A global release is anticipated later this year, particularly noteworthy as last year’s 17 Pro models did not reach international markets.

The design of the 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max remains reminiscent of the previous 17 Pro series, featuring compact displays around the rear cameras. These displays not only support notifications but also enable users to take selfies, play simple games, and perform various tasks seamlessly.

Significant upgrades have been made to the front display, incorporating hardware-level privacy capabilities akin to those of the S26 Ultra. Xiaomi’s approach, however, appears to be more sophisticated. When activated for specific applications, the privacy mode engages seamlessly, affecting notifications, floating windows, and split-screen views while leaving the rest of the screen intact. Moreover, location-based triggers allow customization of settings, automatically toggling the privacy mode based on user location, such as at work or home, and even detecting environments like airports or elevators. The device’s selfie camera can also identify nearby onlookers and recommend enabling privacy mode.

The two smartphone models vary in size, with the 18 Pro featuring a 6.4-inch display and the Pro Max at 6.9 inches. Battery capacity differs as well, with the 18 Pro equipped with a 7,000mAh battery and the Pro Max housing an 8,500mAh power source, both featuring a high silicon content of 32 percent. Another distinction lies in the chipset: the Pro is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 6 Elite, while the Pro Max utilizes the Extreme version, though their performance differences are minimal.

Camera capabilities are highlighted by a 200-megapixel main sensor with a large 1/1.28-inch sensor. The Pro model incorporates the Light Fusion 960, while the Pro Max features the 960L, though the two sensors are largely similar. Additionally, both models include a 200-megapixel telephoto lens equipped with Samsung’s 1/1.56-inch HP5 sensor, featuring a minimum focus distance of 12 cm, as well as a 50-megapixel ultrawide lens, rounding out the impressive camera array.

Xiaomi’s launch event coincides with similar announcements from competitors like the Vivo X500 and the Oppo Find X10. The starting price for the 18 Pro models is set at ¥5,999 (approximately $900). These new smartphones join the 18 Fold in Xiaomi’s flagship lineup, with expectations for the regular Xiaomi 18 and 18 Ultra to be unveiled in the spring. While one of the two 18 Pro models will see an international launch later this year, it remains uncertain whether the Fold will be made available outside of China.