Xiaomi is all set to launch its flagship smartphone series in the global markets. The Xiaomi 18 Pro and Xiaomi 18 Pro Max are expected to launch in global markets this month. The two flagship smartphones will be announced on November 17, as the company is bringing its Pro-series devices to global markets for the first time after the previous generation was exclusive to China. A new leak suggests that India might be a part of Xiaomi's launch plans as the Xiaomi 18 Pro could be making its way to the country in December.
Xiaomi 18 Pro, 18 Pro Max Global Launch and India Availability
Xiaomi has revealed that the company will launch the Xiaomi 18 Pro series at an event in Paris scheduled for November 17. The launch will start at 1 pm UTC, which is 6:30 pm IST in India. Viewers who wish to witness the event can watch the same on the company's YouTube and X handles.
According to the announcement of the event, the company will reveal Xiaomi 18 Pro and Xiaomi 18 Pro Max smartphones. This implies that the company might not reveal the standard model Xiaomi 18 during this event while the Ultra variant is expected to see a separate launch schedule. Xiaomi also hinted at some other announcements during the event. This could include some accessories and smart devices like Xiaomi Watch S5 41mm.
As far as India is concerned, Gadgetsdata's tip predicts that the launch of the Xiaomi 18 Pro could happen in December. If the news turns out to be true, it would revive the Pro category flagships of the company in India after almost three years.
Xiaomi 13 Pro was the last smartphone in this particular lineup that saw its release in India. It was launched in February 2023.
Xiaomi 18 Pro Series Expected European Price
Leaked information on the European pricing of both smartphones has also surfaced ahead of the announcement. The Xiaomi 18 Pro is set to come with a starting price of EUR 1,449 (approximately Rs. 1.53 lakh) for the 12GB RAM and 256GB storage variant, while its 512GB model might carry a price tag of EUR 1,649 (about Rs. 1.74 lakh).
The bigger model of the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max may come with 512GB of internal memory, priced at EUR 1,849 (approximately Rs. 1.95 lakh). However, these are not official numbers, and some early listings from retailers have pointed toward a lower cost range.
Given the leaked prices of the phones, the new Xiaomi flagships are set to belong to the premium smartphone segment in Europe. While the Pro Max might take on the iPhone 18 Pro Max from Apple, the pricing of the devices makes them fall into the same bracket as the OPPO Find X10 series.
Xiaomi 18 Pro, 18 Pro Max Specifications and Features
The batteries of the European models of the Xiaomi 18 Pro series might also be smaller than those of the domestic models. According to the specifications leak, the European model of the Xiaomi 18 Pro can feature a 6,000mAh battery as opposed to the 7,000mAh battery of the domestic version. Furthermore, the Pro Max may get the 7,050mAh battery in Europe instead of its 8,500mAh battery in the domestic market.
There might also be some differences in charging capabilities. For instance, the European Xiaomi 18 Pro is rumored to support 90W wired charging, whereas the Chinese one will support 100W charging. Moreover, the Pro Max is rumored to support 100W charging in both markets. Additionally, both smartphones might feature 50W wireless charging capability.
It is assumed that these differences can be attributed to the regulations in the European markets. However, Xiaomi has not confirmed the exact specifications of the international models.
Apart from the differences in batteries and charging, other specifications of both smartphones are rumored to remain similar. Namely, the phones can be powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 series processors.
When it comes to display, Xiaomi 18 Pro is said to come equipped with a 6.4-inch AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh rate, while the Pro Max could sport a larger 6.9-inch display, hence being the larger option.
Another notable feature of the future smartphones will be the rear screen, which will be featured by both models and which will have a 120Hz refresh rate and will include widgets and customisation options, as well as notification support. Additionally, it will serve as a viewfinder which can be used to shoot photos and videos with the help of main rear cameras, including self-portraits.
Camera hardware will also be an important highlight since both devices are said to come equipped with a Leica-tuned dual 200 megapixel rear camera setup.
Should You Wait for the Xiaomi 18 Pro India Launch?
The impending launch of the Xiaomi 18 Pro in December might matter a lot to Indian consumers looking for a quality flagship phone in a smaller body design. Moreover, the resurrection of the Pro series would provide more choice to consumers in the high-end category of smartphones.
However, the final Indian pricing and specifications will play an important role in determining its appeal. Battery capacity, charging speeds and camera performance could be key factors, particularly if the Indian variant follows the specifications of the European model rather than the Chinese version. Xiaomi will also need to offer a competitive overall package to justify the expected premium pricing against other flagship smartphones.
