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| This Xiaomi 18 concept looks a lot like certain iPhones from the back. |
The rumor mill for the Xiaomi 18 series has started spinning, and if the latest leaks are anything to go by, the Chinese tech giant is preparing for a significant design overhaul. While the official launch of the Xiaomi 18, Xiaomi 18 Pro, and a potential Xiaomi 18 Pro Max is still roughly seven months away—with a tentative launch window in September—the early intelligence coming out of Weibo is already painting a compelling picture of what to expect.
According to a new leak from a widely regarded tipster on Weibo, the standard Xiaomi 18 will be the first to break the mold, ditching the design language of its predecessor for something fresh and, perhaps, familiar.
A New Look: From Xiaomi to Cupertino?
The most striking rumor revolves around the camera module. For years, Xiaomi has experimented with various camera layouts, often opting for large, square islands or distinctive bands. However, the leaked design suggests a radical departure.
Embedded below is a concept render based on the leak, which shows a revised camera design that is highly reminiscent of the layout Apple has maintained from the iPhone 13 Pro through to the iPhone 16 Pro.
It is crucial to stress that the design shown is not official. It has likely been photoshopped together or AI-generated based on the verbal descriptions from the leak. Nonetheless, the design concept could still be accurate. If true, this move would signify a shift toward a more minimalist and symmetrical aesthetic for Xiaomi's flagship line, moving away from the bulky camera islands of the past. Presumably, we will not know for certain until the summer at the earliest.
The Brains: A Tiered Approach to Snapdragon Power
Beyond the aesthetics, the Xiaomi 18 series is shaping up to be a powerhouse in the performance department. Currently, the trio are believed to be some of the first smartphones that will ship with Qualcomm's upcoming Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 series chipsets.
However, the rumor suggests a tiered approach to processing power:
- Xiaomi 18: Expected to leverage the standard Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6. This will likely be a highly efficient and capable chip, perfect for the compact flagship experience.
- Xiaomi 18 Pro & 18 Pro Max: These higher-end models are reported to be in contention for the more powerful Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 Pro. This variant is expected to feature higher clock speeds or an additional performance core, catering to power users and mobile gamers who demand the absolute best.
This strategy would allow Xiaomi to differentiate the devices more clearly, justifying a price gap and offering consumers a clear choice between a standard flagship and a performance beast.
A Larger Canvas for the Standard Model
Not only that, but a new rumor from the Weibo user suggests that the Xiaomi 18 will also depart from its predecessor's design, not least with a larger display. This is a significant shift, as the standard model has traditionally been the compact option for those who want flagship power in a smaller body. Increasing the screen size could blur the lines between the base model and the Pro, suggesting Xiaomi might be planning to make all its flagships "big," or perhaps reserve a truly compact size for a different lineup entirely.
What This Means for the Market
With the chipset details leaking this early, it’s clear that Qualcomm and its partners are confident in the next generation of silicon. The move toward a "Pro" version of the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 mirrors the strategy seen in the laptop market, where we see standard and max-quality versions of the same processor.
For consumers, the combination of a refined design inspired by the best in the industry, a potential display size increase, and next-gen processing power makes the Xiaomi 18 series one of the most anticipated launches of late 2025. As always with early leaks, take these details with a grain of salt, but the direction is clear: Xiaomi is aiming for the premium throne.
ⓘ Source: The original discussion and leak regarding the design can be traced back to a post on Weibo. You can view the source discussion here.
For comparison, you can see the design language of the current iPhone generation, which served as the inspiration for this leak, via this link: iPhone 16 Pro on Amazon (curr. $696 - refurbished).
The initial report aggregating these details was shared by tipster Zions Anvin on X, which you can check out here: Zions Anvin's post on X.
