Xiaomi 18 to Skip Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 Pro Over High Cost, Pro Models to Get Upgrade

If you were expecting the Xiaomi 18 to come packed with Qualcomm’s absolute best chip this year, there’s a twist. Fresh leaks suggest the base model may not feature the upcoming Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 Pro, and it’s not surprising.

According to Chinese tipster Digital Chat Station, Qualcomm’s next-gen Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 Pro could be significantly more expensive than the standard Gen 6 version. That price jump seems to be forcing Xiaomi to rethink its flagship strategy.

Xiaomi 18 Chip Strategy

Reports indicate that the Xiaomi 18 will likely run on the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6, not the Pro variant. The more powerful and expensive Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 Pro is likely intended for the Xiaomi 18 Pro and Xiaomi 18 Pro Max.

Qualcomm is rumored to unveil the new chips in September, and Xiaomi’s launch could follow shortly after, continuing their long-standing partnership of debuting new Snapdragon platforms.

Here’s what the lineup may look like:

• Xiaomi 18: Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6

• Xiaomi 18 Pro: Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 Pro

• Xiaomi 18 Pro Max: Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 Pro

• Xiaomi 18 Ultra: Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 Pro (or even an exclusive tuned version)

And this feels like a smart move. Smartphone prices are already climbing, and forcing the Pro chip into the base Xiaomi 18 would likely push it into an uncomfortable price bracket.

Xiaomi 18 Camera Upgrades 

Performance isn’t the only talking point. Leaks suggest the Xiaomi 18 series could finally introduce a 200MP periscope telephoto camera across all models, a major shift. Even more interesting, Pro models may feature dual 200MP sensors, the display size could increase slightly from 6.3-inch to 6.4-inch, and the Pro variants might retain a secondary rear display. If this turns out to be true, Xiaomi seems to be betting big on camera hardware rather than just raw processing power.

Xiaomi 18: Smart Strategy or Missed Opportunity?

This isn’t a downgrade. It’s positioning.

Most users won’t notice the difference between the Gen 6 and Gen 6 Pro in daily use. But they will notice a better camera, improved battery life, and a reasonable price.

If Xiaomi balances performance, optics, and pricing correctly, the Xiaomi 18 could still dominate headlines, even without the “Pro” chip inside.

September is shaping up to be very interesting.