Xiaomi is rolling out the base Xiaomi 18 separately from its Pro siblings in China this December, according to a forecast by industry insider Digital Chat Station.
Retailers in China have already begun listing the device for blind pre-orders, allowing customers to place a refundable deposit to secure priority for color selection and launch bonuses. While Xiaomi has not yet officially announced the device’s technical specifications or launch date, these details have been revealed through regulatory filings and leaks.
The unannounced smartphone secured 3C certification under the model number M261DB in late September, confirming support for 100-watt wired fast charging. Leaked specifications point to a 6,4-inch flat display with 1,5K resolution, LTPO 120Hz support, and an M11 panel.
Under the hood, the device is slated to feature the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 processor. The hardware configuration drops the rear display and hardware-based anti-snooping protection found on the Pro variants, but houses a larger 7200 mAh battery.
While Chinese consumers secure early allocation slots, global release timelines remain unconfirmed, though industry watchers expect an international rollout no earlier than the first quarter of 2027.
Pricing for the base model is expected to fall below the 5999 yuan (approximately $898) starting price of the Xiaomi 18 Pro. Meanwhile, European pricing for the Pro models has already appeared at the retailer Epto, with the Pro listed from approximately $1559 (€1398,90). However, Xiaomi has not yet held an international presentation for the series.
Notable differences in global versions are anticipated; for instance, the European Pro version is reported to feature a 6000 mAh battery rather than the 7000 mAh capacity found in its Chinese counterpart, suggesting the standard Xiaomi 18 global version may also see a reduction in battery capacity. Rumors circulating as of October 28 suggest the base Xiaomi 18 may include a dedicated AI button.