Xiaomi 18 series may support external lenses and vlogger features, changing smartphone photography. Leaks hint at 200MP cameras, Snapdragon 8 Elite, and early 2025 launch.
© A. Krivonosov
Xiaomi appears to be planning a major rethink of mobile photography with its next generation of flagship phones. According to new leaks, the Xiaomi 18 series is considering support for external lenses and special features for vloggers—a move that could change how we typically shoot with smartphones.
The core idea reportedly involves using external lenses that attach to the phone to expand camera capabilities. Similar experiments have been attempted in the market before, but they often ran into issues with inconvenience and marginal quality improvements. Now, the situation could change thanks to larger sensors. When combined with additional optics, they might deliver a more noticeable effect, especially if Xiaomi manages to implement a convenient mounting system, perhaps using magnets.
Preliminary information suggests the base Xiaomi 18 will feature a 6.3-inch LTPO OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, a triple camera setup with 50MP+50MP+200MP sensors, and a Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 processor. The Pro and Pro Max versions are expected to offer more advanced configurations with dual 200-megapixel modules and 2K screens, while the top-tier Ultra model might get an even more powerful Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 Pro chip. All devices are anticipated to come with batteries around 7,000 mAh in capacity.
Special attention is being paid to features for vloggers. This could include improved stabilization as well as new accessories, such as grips or shooting systems tailored for vlogging formats. This reflects the growing demand from content creators, for whom smartphones are increasingly becoming their primary camera.
A potential change in launch timing is also being discussed. The Xiaomi 18 Ultra might arrive as early as January next year instead of the usual spring release. This would allow the company to enter the market during a less competitive period. For now, all these specifications remain at the prototype and discussion stage, but the direction of the lineup's development already seems quite clear.