Xiaomi will use the standard Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 in the 18 Pro and the higher-end Extreme Gen 6 in the 18 Pro Max.
Xiaomi is set to launch its Xiaomi 18 Pro series in China on September 23, 2026. The company says the series will be the first to bring Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 family to smartphones.
Zeng Xuezhong, Senior Vice President of Xiaomi Group and President of the International Department, made the announcement at the 2026 Snapdragon Summit. According to Xiaomi, the Xiaomi 18 Pro will use the standard Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6.
The Xiaomi 18 Pro Max will use the more powerful Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6. This gives Xiaomi two different flagship chip options within the same series.
Two Snapdragon chips for two flagship models
The standard Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 and Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6 are designed for different performance levels.
Xiaomi says the dual-chip strategy will help it create clearer differences between its flagship models. It also allows the company to target different user needs within the same product family.
The company is focusing on on-device artificial intelligence, performance and power efficiency. The new platforms are also expected to support more advanced agentic AI features and improved gaming performance.
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Lu Weibing, Partner, President of the Mobile Phone Division and General Manager of the Xiaomi Brand, said Xiaomi has worked to bring new technology through its flagship phones.
He said Qualcomm Technologies’ multi-flagship strategy gives Xiaomi more flexibility. The company also plans to work with Qualcomm on the next generation of AI-powered smartphones.
Xiaomi 18 Pro launch set for September 23
The Xiaomi 18 Pro series is scheduled to launch in China on the evening of September 23. The launch event is expected to reveal more information about the phones.
Details about specifications, pricing and other features should become clearer during and after the Chinese event. Xiaomi has not yet provided all regional details in the information supplied for this report.
For Indian buyers, the key point is that Xiaomi is introducing two Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 platforms within its new Pro lineup. A global rollout is planned for later in 2026, although specific regional availability will be announced separately.
The Chinese launch will provide the first full look at the Xiaomi 18 Pro series, including its specifications and pricing.
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