Xiaomi’s new 18 Pro phones improve on Samsung’s privacy display

<figure> <img alt="" data-caption="Both 18 Pro phones feature rear displays, just like last year’s 17 Pro models. | Image: Xiaomi" data-portal-copyright="Image: Xiaomi" data-has-syndication-rights="1" src="https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/09/xiaomi-18-pro-max-pair.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;crop=0,0,100,100" /> <figcaption> Both 18 Pro phones feature rear displays, just like last year’s 17 Pro models. | Image: Xiaomi </figcaption> </figure> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">Xiaomi's new 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max launched in China today, and feature a more flexible take on the privacy display tech introduced this year on <a href="https://www.theverge.com/tech/893936/samsung-galaxy-s26-ultra-review-show-off">Samsung's Galaxy S26 Ultra</a>. They combine it with returning rear screens, two 200-megapixel cameras, and both of Qualcomm's new <a href="https://www.theverge.com/gadgets/998842/qualcomm-snapdragon-8-elite-extreme-gen-6">Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 chips</a>. A global launch is confirmed for later this year - especially welcome since last year's 17 Pro phones skipped international markets.</p> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">The two 18 Pro phones look similar to the <a href="https://www.theverge.com/news/785693/xiaomi-17-pro-max-china-launch-specs-price-second-screen">17 Pros</a>, with similar compact displays built around the rear cameras, capable of displaying notifications, taking selfies, playing simple games, and more. </p> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">The bigger …</p> <p><a href="https://www.theverge.com/tech/999253/xiaomi-18-pro-max-privacy-display-launch-china">Read the full story at The Verge.</a></p>