Emir BardakçıIf you thought the Xiaomi 17 Ultra was overkill with its 200MP telephoto lens, you might want to brace yourself. Fresh leaks from China suggest the upcoming Xiaomi 18 Pro is testing a camera configuration that sounds almost too good to be true for a non-Ultra model: a dual 200MP rear camera setup.
According to the reliable tipster Digital Chat Station, Xiaomi is currently testing this “class-surpassing” specification on a device that isn’t their top-tier Ultra model. If these reports hold water, the gap between the “Pro” and “Ultra” lineups is about to shrink significantly, potentially giving users flagship-tier zoom and detail without the massive Ultra price tag (or camera bump).
TL;DR
- Massive Camera Bump: The Xiaomi 18 Pro is rumored to feature two 200MP sensors on the rear.
- Pro vs. Ultra: This would be a huge leap from the Xiaomi 17 Pro’s triple 50MP setup.
- Release Timeline: Expected later in 2026, likely debuting with the next-gen Snapdragon 8 Elite.
- Global Caveat: Watch out for battery capacity differences between Chinese and Global variants.
The Leak: A “Super” Standard Flagship?
The leak comes from Digital Chat Station on Weibo, stating that a “certain manufacturer” is testing a dual 200MP camera system on a “non-ultra-large” flagship. Based on the timeline and comment section sleuthing, all signs point to the Xiaomi 18 Pro.
Why is this a big deal? Historically, Xiaomi reserves its wildest camera tech for the Ultra series. For context, the current Xiaomi 17 Ultra uses a 1-inch Light Hunter 1050L main sensor paired with a stunning 200MP periscope telephoto lens. Meanwhile, the standard Xiaomi 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max “settled” for a triple 50MP array—impressive, but not ground-breaking.
If the Xiaomi 18 Pro adopts two 200MP sensors (likely one for the main camera and one for the telephoto), it would effectively democratize “Ultra” grade photography.
Comparing the Generations
To understand the scale of this upgrade, let’s look at what is currently in your pocket (or on your wish list):
The Current Standard: Xiaomi 17 Pro
Released last September, the Xiaomi 17 Pro features:
- Main: 50MP Light Hunter 950L (1/1.28″)
- Telephoto: 50MP 5x Optical Zoom (Inverted floating periscope)
- Ultrawide: 50MP Leica lens
The Upcoming Beast: Xiaomi 18 Pro (Rumored)
- Main: 200MP Sensor (Details TBD)
- Telephoto: 200MP Periscope (Likely similar to the 17 Ultra’s 1/1.4″ sensor)
- Ultrawide: Likely 50MP (The “Old Friend” JN5 sensor mentioned in leaks)
This shift would mean unprecedented cropping ability and hybrid zoom clarity for a standard Pro model.
What’s Next?
If Xiaomi pulls this off, the Xiaomi 18 Pro could be the sweet-spot flagship of late 2026. The move to dual 200MP sensors suggests that the “Megapixel War” isn’t over—it’s just moving to the secondary cameras.
We expect more concrete details to surface closer to Q3 2026. Until then, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra remains the king of the hill, but its younger brother is coming for the crown.
