It looks like the standard Xiaomi 18 could arrive sooner than anticipated. Word from China suggests that at least one retailer has already opened blind pre-orders for the device, even though an official launch may still be weeks away – current expectations point to a December unveiling.
It's worth stressing that this is not an official Xiaomi sale. Instead, eager customers in China can reserve a unit by placing a refundable deposit, which guarantees them priority when it comes to choosing a color and memory variant. The seller behind the listing is also teasing "exclusive benefits" for early birds, though no pricing details have been shared.
What to expect from the Xiaomi 18
Based on circulating rumors, the Xiaomi 18 is shaping up to be a "well-rounded flagship" with a flat 6.4-inch display. Unlike its Pro sibling, it is expected to skip both the privacy display feature and the secondary rear screen.
The camera setup remains something of a mystery. While several sources point to a dual 200MP arrangement covering the main and telephoto shooters, at least one report suggests the zoom camera will rely on a 50MP sensor instead.
Under the hood, the phone is tipped to run the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 chipset – the standard version rather than the Extreme variant found in higher-end models. Configurations could go as high as 16GB of RAM paired with 1TB of storage. Powering everything is said to be a hefty 7,200mAh battery with 100W wired charging support, alongside wireless charging that will likely match the 50W speeds of the Pro models.
The broader Xiaomi 18 family
For context, the Xiaomi 18 Pro debuted in China at CNY 6,000 for the entry-level 12/256GB trim, which gives us a rough idea of where the vanilla model might land.
Meanwhile, Xiaomi is preparing to take the 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max global on November 17. The international event will also see the arrival of the Xiaomi Watch S5 41mm, the Xiaomi Smart Band 11, the Xiaomi Clip open-ear earbuds, and a selection of Mijia smart home products.
An India launch for the Xiaomi 18 Pro is on the roadmap as well, though a firm date has yet to be confirmed. On top of that, leaked details about a so-called "Xiaomi 18T" hint that the lineup could eventually expand to four models.
Source 1 | Source 2 (in Chinese) | Via
