Standard Xiaomi 18 Is Tipped to Get a 5x Periscope Telephoto Lens

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-Kabir Jain

Published: Tuesday, January 20, 2026, 16:51 [IST]

Xiaomi hasn’t even rolled out the Xiaomi 17 series globally yet, but attention is already drifting toward what comes next. A new leak suggests that the Xiaomi 18 series could bring some long-awaited changes to the company’s flagship lineup, especially for the standard model, which has traditionally lagged behind its Pro siblings in a few key areas.

If the leak holds up, Xiaomi may finally be ready to treat its base flagship like a true all-rounder rather than a trimmed-down entry point.

Periscope Camera May No Longer Be a Pro-Only Feature

The most notable change is the possible addition of a periscope telephoto lens on the standard Xiaomi 18. According to tipster Digital Chat Station, Xiaomi plans to standardize several high-end features across the entire Xiaomi 18 lineup, and the camera upgrade sits at the top of that list.

Right now, periscope telephoto lenses are limited to higher-end Xiaomi models. The vanilla Xiaomi 17, for instance, sticks to a conventional telephoto camera with a shorter optical zoom. A periscope lens on the standard Xiaomi 18 could push optical zoom much further, potentially up to 5x, and immediately make the phone more versatile for everyday photography.

Other High-End Features Could Become Standard

The leak also points to a few other features being offered across all Xiaomi 18 models. These include a 3D ultrasonic fingerprint sensor, wireless charging, and high-level water and dust resistance.

While some of these features are already present on the current Xiaomi 17 lineup, the key difference here is consistency. If Xiaomi does go this route, buyers may no longer need to jump to a Pro model just to get a complete flagship experience.

What This Means for Xiaomi’s Flagship Strategy

If accurate, this approach signals a shift in how Xiaomi positions its flagship phones. Instead of reserving meaningful upgrades for higher-priced variants, the company appears to be moving toward a more balanced lineup where the standard model covers most core needs.

That could make the Xiaomi 18 a stronger option for users who want a compact, no-compromise flagship without paying extra for features that increasingly feel essential rather than premium.

Pro Models Still Set to Push the Envelope

This doesn’t mean Xiaomi is done experimenting at the top end. Xiaomi executives have hinted that advanced features like rear displays won’t be dropped from future Pro models.

Comments from Wang Le, director of Xiaomi’s application software department, suggest that the company sees these elements as minor costs compared to chip research and development, and that they remain part of Xiaomi’s long-term vision.

In other words, while the base model may get more capable, Xiaomi still plans to differentiate its Pro devices in other ways.

Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 Likely on the Cards

Although not explicitly confirmed, it’s widely expected that the Xiaomi 18 series will be among the first flagships to run Qualcomm’s next-generation Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 processor. Given Xiaomi’s track record, that part feels more like a matter of timing than speculation.

That said, it’s still early in the year, and Xiaomi’s plans could evolve as development continues.

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