Emir BardakçıSmall flagship phones are a dying breed, but it looks like Xiaomi isn’t giving up on compact powerhouses just yet. A fresh leak from the supply chain suggests that the upcoming base model flagship—likely the Xiaomi 18—is about to get a massive visual upgrade.
According to reliable tipster Digital Chat Station, display manufacturer CSOT (China Star) has officially started mass production on a new 6.3-inch panel. If you’ve been waiting for a phone that fits in one hand but doesn’t compromise on screen quality, this might be the one to watch.
TL;DR
- Mass Production Started: CSOT is producing a new 6.3-inch 1.5K RGB OLED panel.
- Visual Fidelity: The screen boasts a “2K equivalent” PPI, promising incredible sharpness.
- The Device: The 6.3-inch size strongly suggests this is for the base model Xiaomi 18.
- Tech Hurdles: Advanced “Tandem OLED” tech might be delayed due to yield issues.
A New Standard for “Small” Screens?
We have been tracking the rumors surrounding the next generation of flagships, and the latest intel from Digital Chat Station on Weibo is particularly spicy. The leaker confirmed that CSOT is mass-producing a 6.3″ ± 1.5K RGB OLED display this year.
While 1.5K might sound lower than the 2K panels found on “Ultra” models, there is a catch. The leak specifies this is an RGB OLED with an “equivalent PPI of 2K.” In plain English? This screen will likely look sharper and cleaner than standard displays because of its superior sub-pixel arrangement. It is touted as the “highest visual resolution” for small screens currently available.
Is This Definitely the Xiaomi 18?
While the leak explicitly mentions production lines rather than product names, the dots are easy to connect. Digital Chat Station hinted in the comments that this news concerns Xiaomi.
Looking at Xiaomi’s current lineup, the only flagship that traditionally fits the 6.3-inch form factor is the base model number. With the Xiaomi 15 and 16 series sticking to that compact sweet spot, it is almost certain this panel is destined for the Xiaomi 18.
What About Battery Life and Brightness?
The leak didn’t stop at resolution. It mentioned that for larger screens, CSOT is deploying Pol-less (Polarizer-less) technology. This typically allows for thinner panels and significantly lower power consumption—a huge win for battery life.
However, there is a bit of bad news regarding Tandem OLED technology (the dual-layer stack used in recent premium tablets for extreme brightness). The leak notes that availability is “pending” because yield rates are currently problematic. We might have to wait a bit longer to see that tech trickle down to the base model phones.
Why Should You Care?
If this leak holds true, the Xiaomi 18 won’t just be a “small version” of the Pro model; it will be a visual powerhouse in its own right.
The move to a high-PPI RGB arrangement means text will look crisper, and images will look more natural. For those of us tired of carrying “bricks” in our pockets, seeing this level of investment in the 6.3-inch form factor is a breath of fresh air.
