Xiaomi 18 Base Model Gets Display Boost and 200MP Camera Despite Non-Pro Chip

The upcoming Xiaomi 18 lineup is shaping up to be one of the most interesting smartphone releases of 2026, with a new leak revealing that even the base model will receive significant hardware upgrades despite potentially skipping the top-tier Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 Pro processor.

According to reliable tipster Digital Chat Station, the standard Xiaomi 18 will feature a slightly larger 6.4-inch display compared to its predecessor's 6.3-inch screen. This modest increase in size appears to be part of a broader strategy to accommodate "more advanced components" throughout the device.

Perhaps the most exciting revelation is the camera upgrade. While the current Xiaomi 17 base model features a 50MP telephoto camera with 2.6x optical zoom, the Xiaomi 18 will reportedly sport a 200MP periscope telephoto sensor. This massive jump in megapixels should significantly improve zoomed-in photography capabilities, making the base model much more appealing to photography enthusiasts.

The leak suggests that the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 Pro chip will be reserved for higher-end models in the lineup, specifically the Ultra, Pro, and Pro Max variants. The standard Xiaomi 18 will instead use a non-Pro version of the processor, though specific details about which chip it will receive haven't been disclosed.

Digital Chat Station's report indicates that the entire Xiaomi 18 lineup is planned to feature the 200MP periscope telephoto camera across all models, representing a significant upgrade from the current generation. This consistency in camera hardware across the lineup could make the Xiaomi 18 series particularly attractive to users who prioritize mobile photography.

The slightly larger footprint of the base model could also allow for other hardware improvements, such as a larger battery capacity and enhanced cooling systems. These additions would help offset any potential performance differences resulting from the non-Pro processor choice.

Xiaomi is positioning itself as an early adopter of next-generation Snapdragon chips, with the 8 Elite Gen 6 series expected to power its upcoming flagship lineup. The staggered approach to processor distribution across different models suggests a strategy to differentiate the product tiers while still offering compelling features in the base model.

The Xiaomi 18 lineup is expected to launch in September 2026, and with more details likely to leak in the coming months, we'll get a clearer picture of how these rumored specifications translate into real-world performance and value.

For context, the current Xiaomi 17 (12/256 GB) is available for approximately $710.97 on TradingShenzhen, giving us a reference point for potential pricing of the new generation. Given the hardware upgrades, particularly the camera system, we might expect a modest price increase for the base model.

This leak suggests Xiaomi is taking a balanced approach to its 2026 flagship strategy - reserving the absolute top-tier processor for premium models while ensuring the base model receives meaningful upgrades in areas that matter most to users, particularly in mobile photography capabilities.