Key information summary of Xiaomi 18 series: All shortcomings are gone, price increase is imminent.
The battle for Android flagship dominance in the second half of the year is about to be ignited by the Xiaomi 18 series. With various leaks revealing details, the biggest change in this new generation is the complete elimination of the previous years’ standard version’s “precisely segmented pricing with downgraded configurations,” with all models boasting top-of-the-line hardware. However, due to soaring supply chain costs, a price increase for the Xiaomi 18 series is almost a certainty.
This year, Xiaomi’s 18 series will adopt a new phased release model: the Xiaomi 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max will be launched first in September, the standard version will be launched later, and the top-of-the-line Xiaomi 18 Ultra will be the grand finale in December. All new models will debut Qualcomm’s next-generation flagship chip, and will be the first to utilize TSMC’s 2nm process, resulting in a significant leap in hardware performance.
In terms of performance, the entire Xiaomi 18 series is equipped with the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen6 series 2nm flagship chip, featuring a new 2+3+3 octa-core architecture with 16MB of ultra-large cache, resulting in comprehensive upgrades in performance and power consumption optimization. The versions are clearly differentiated: the standard and Pro versions are equipped with the Snapdragon 8E6, emphasizing balanced stability; the Pro Max exclusively features the full-fledged Snapdragon 8E6 Pro + LPDDR6 memory, maximizing GPU performance and firmly establishing itself as a top-tier Android performer of the year.
However, price increases for the new model are unavoidable. The cost of the 2nm process has risen sharply, with the Snapdragon 8E6 Pro chip costing over 20% more, exceeding $300. Coupled with factors such as rising storage prices, the previous generation’s starting price of 4499 yuan is basically unsustainable. The trend of collective price increases for Android flagship phones has been fully realized with the Xiaomi 18 series.
In terms of configuration, the Xiaomi 18 standard edition is full of sincerity, equipped with a 6.4-inch small-size ultra-clear straight screen, with an ultra-narrow four equal sides and a large rounded corner design, which is excellent in both feel and viewing experience; the Pro series is upgraded to a 2K ultra-clear screen and adds a hardware-level privacy protection function, balancing display quality and privacy protection.
The imaging capabilities have also received an epic upgrade. The Xiaomi 18 standard edition is the first to feature a 3X periscope telephoto lens and dual 200MP ultra-large sensor images, completely addressing the long-standing shortcoming of the standard edition lacking a telephoto lens. The top-of-the-line Pro Max features a brand-new Leica 200MP main camera, supporting LOFIC HDR 3.0 ultra-high dynamic range, ensuring no overexposure in highlights and clear images in low light, with full-pixel ultra-fast focusing, resulting in a significant upgrade in image quality.
With top-notch battery life and detailed configuration, all models feature larger batteries and support 100W wired and wireless dual fast charging, eliminating battery anxiety. They also come standard with ultrasonic fingerprint recognition and full-level water resistance, delivering a superior user experience. The product choices are also clear: the Pro series retains the classic rear screen, while the standard version forgoes the rear screen in exchange for a larger battery, catering to different user needs.
The system experience will see a qualitative leap, with the Xiaomi 18 coming pre-installed with the brand-new Surge OS 4.0. The new version thoroughly cleans up residual MIUI code and refactors core modules using Rust, resulting in a lighter system, faster startup, lower power consumption, and enhanced stability. It also introduces a new Liquid Glass UI, featuring a transparent and smooth visual style that rivals iOS in aesthetics and is poised to become a mainstream design trend in the industry.
Overall, the Xiaomi 18 series is the flagship generation that has most thoroughly addressed its shortcomings and boasts the strongest comprehensive strength in recent years. With 2nm chips across the entire series, a standard periscope telephoto lens, and a completely redesigned system, the upgrades are substantial. However, the price increase due to rising costs has also made this new phone controversial.
Some believe that the price increase of flagship phones with upgraded components is inevitable in the industry, while long-time Xiaomi fans lament that Xiaomi is no longer focusing on affordable, cost-effective products. However, it’s undeniable that the Xiaomi 18’s comprehensive, well-rounded configuration makes it the most anticipated Android flagship of the second half of this year, achieving a complete leap forward in overall product performance.
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