Xiaomi 18 Pro released in China

The Xiaomi 18 Pro was officially presented in China on September 23 and has already attracted significant attention. It is expected to be available in Europe by the end of the year, marking the first Pro model from the brand to be sold in France since the Xiaomi 13 Pro in 2023.

Chinese model tested in France

A Chinese version of the Xiaomi 18 Pro was tested in France, although it is important to note that this is not the final French version. The interface was changed to French and Google services were installed, but some elements remained in Chinese. The battery capacity of the French version is expected to be smaller than the 7,000 mAh of the Chinese model, and the software may still change before its official release.

Camera performance compared to iPhone 18 Pro

In a photo comparison with the iPhone 18 Pro, the Xiaomi 18 Pro generally performed better in daylight, capturing more shadows and details. At night, its color accuracy was more precise, and it avoided ghost images seen on the iPhone. However, the Xiaomi's ultra-wide angle lens produced blurry edges in low light, unlike the iPhone's sensor, which maintained good detail.

Performance and heating concerns

The Xiaomi 18 Pro uses the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 chip, not the more powerful Extreme version reserved for the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max. It performs well, matching the best current Android smartphones, but does not show a significant performance improvement over previous generations. During testing, the phone heated up to about 50 °C, and performance dropped sharply during CPU Throttling tests, which could affect gaming fluidity.

Back screen and AI features

The Xiaomi 18 Pro features a 2.7-inch back screen, inherited from the Xiaomi 17 Pro, which can be used for selfies, framing photos, and answering calls without flipping the phone. It also displays weather, step counts, and controls for Xiaomi devices. However, the settings are cluttered and poorly translated. An AI-generated app feature allows users to create apps from simple prompts, though it is currently in beta and limited on the Chinese model.

Privacy features and user experience

The Xiaomi 18 Pro includes a hardware privacy display similar to the Galaxy S26 Ultra, though Samsung's feature is more effective at preventing shoulder surfing. Xiaomi's "Privacy Notice" uses facial recognition to alert users if someone looks at their screen. The phone is praised for its photography, innovative back screen, and creative software features, but its heat management remains a concern. The final French version's software, translation, AI functions, and price will be crucial to its success.