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Xiaomi 18 Pro Series Debuts With Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6; iPhone 18 Pro Review Cites No Compromises

Xiaomi launched the 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max in China with privacy-focused displays and Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 ahead of a global release. A 9to5Mac reviewer said the iPhone 18 Pro offers Apple's best cameras, battery life and performance, while remaining intrigued by the foldable iPhone Duo.

AI News Feed · 2026-09-25 02:21

The 18 Pro Max runs the higher-end version of the chip. Xiaomi showed the devices at the Snapdragon Summit in Hawaii. The phones start at 5,999 yuan ($894) for the 18 Pro and 6,999 yuan ($1,043) for the 18 Pro Max. They come in black, white, pink and blue, plus a special-edition red with some transparency on the rear. Base versions have 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage.

Engadget reported that the most interesting feature is a privacy-focused display similar to the technology Samsung used in the Galaxy S26 Ultra. It is designed to make the screen harder to read from an off angle. Xiaomi's version offers more granular settings than Samsung's, according to Engadget. If enabled for a specific app, it can shield banking details and make notifications, split-screen views and floating windows for that app difficult to see from an acute angle. The phones also support location-based triggers, can use the front-facing camera to detect potential snoops and suggest enabling privacy mode, and allow manual activation via a side button.

The main screens are LTPO AMOLED panels with 1-120Hz variable refresh rate, 2K resolution and 4,000 nits of peak brightness. The 18 Pro has a 6.4-inch display; the 18 Pro Max has a 6.9-inch screen. Both retain the rear displays from the 17 Pro devices. Those smaller screens can show notifications, and users can generate mini apps for them using Xiaomi's Xiao AI assistant.

The phones share the same rear camera array: a 200MP 23mm main lens, a 200MP 75mm telephoto and a 50MP ultrawide. Batteries are larger than last time, with a 7,000mAh cell in the 18 Pro and an 8,500mAh cell in the 18 Pro Max. The phones support 100W wired charging, 50W wireless charging and 27W reverse wireless charging.

In a separate review published September 24, 2026, 9to5Mac said a week with the iPhone 18 Pro after a year using an iPhone Air led to the conclusion that the device has zero compromises. The reviewer, who switched from an iPhone Air to a Burgundy iPhone 18 Pro, wrote that the cameras are better and more versatile than the Air's, with telephoto and ultrawide lenses useful for specific cases and an improved main camera.

The reviewer said battery life was similarly impressive; with the iPhone 18 Pro, he did not have to think about battery. Performance was fantastic, with the A20 Pro chip making everything feel fast and Siri AI more responsive. A vapor chamber prevented overheating issues that the Air sometimes struggled with, he wrote. He noted that he is not a professional photographer and pointed to a colleague's review for battery tests and performance benchmarks.

9to5Mac said the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max have the absolute best camera system Apple makes, the best battery life and better performance than any other models. The reviewer also noticed better built-in speakers and Dynamic Island upgrades. He said there are measurable differences in those areas, and he appreciates knowing his iPhone has the best Apple offers in key areas.

The reviewer added that he remains intrigued by the forthcoming iPhone Duo. Like the iPhone Air, the Duo will have compromises, including a worse camera system than the iPhone 18 Pro, battery life that may be comparable to the Air but worse than the Pro Max, likely weaker sustained performance, and no Face ID or Action button. Still, he is excited to try it because it offers innovations not found in the iPhone 18 Pro, and the foldable form factor represents what he called arguably the biggest iPhone hardware change ever. After picking up his iPhone Air again, he said "Wow" and found fresh appreciation for its futuristic feel. He expects the iPhone Duo to evoke similar feelings in design and utility, and he is excited about an iPad-like experience in a pocketable iPhone despite the downsides.

He wrote that the days of Apple offering a single best iPhone are gone. For a model with zero compromises, the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max seem fantastic, but for something more futuristic and unique, he cannot wait to try the iPhone Duo.