What features will the Xiaomi 18 Ultra offer? First speculations emerge

The Xiaomi 17 Ultra only recently arrived on the Czech market, and the first leaks concerning its successor are already appearing. According to information from Chinese sources, Xiaomi is working on the 18 Ultra model, which could surprise not only with its features but also with its launch date.

Launch possibly as early as December

A leaker operating under the nickname Smart Pikachu claims that Xiaomi plans to launch the Xiaomi 18 Ultra in China at the end of 2026 – roughly around the same time as the 17 Ultra model. Meanwhile, the base models of the Xiaomi 18 series could be introduced as early as September, around the time new iPhones are launched.

Return to four cameras?

The Xiaomi 17 Ultra opted for a mechanical telephoto lens with variable zoom 75–100 mm, thus abandoning the traditional fourth sensor. With the 18 Ultra model, the situation could change. According to available information, Xiaomi is testing a four-lens setup, which could theoretically offer a wider range of focal lengths.

Further rumors suggest that Xiaomi could focus on improving the ultrawide sensor, which was a target of criticism on the 17 Ultra model. The display should remain at a diagonal of 6.9 inches, albeit in a slightly different format.

New chipset from Qualcomm

Performance should be handled by the yet-to-be-announced Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 Pro. This should bring higher performance needed for image processing from the demanding camera system. Details about the chipset are not yet known.

It is important to emphasize that these are currently only early speculations. There are at least nine months until the potential announcement, and the final specifications may differ significantly. Further information can be expected during the autumn.

What would you expect from the Xiaomi 18 Ultra?

Sources: Smart Pikachu/Weibo, Notebookcheck, Gizmochina, XiaomiTime