Xiaomi fans who were waiting for a camera monster may be disappointed. A fresh leak says the Xiaomi 18 Ultra has been cancelled, even though its specs were reportedly almost final. Nothing is official yet, so here is a clear look at what is being claimed, what is known, and what could happen next.
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Xiaomi 18 Ultra Cancelled: What the Leak Says
As per tipster Digital Chat Station, shared on X by tech creator Abhishek Yadav, Xiaomi planned an extreme camera phone but dropped it because the price would have been too high. Reports about a possible cancellation have been circulating since August, with outlets such as Notebookcheck and Memeburn covering earlier rumors. The claim that the Xiaomi 18 Ultra cancelled has not been confirmed by Xiaomi.
Leaked Specs of the Xiaomi 18 Ultra
| Feature | Leaked Detail |
|---|---|
| Cameras | Three 200MP cameras |
| Main sensor | 1/1.12-inch LOFIC sensor |
| Periscope | 1/1.28-inch with continuous optical zoom (up from 1/1.4-inch on the 17 Ultra) |
| Display | Flat panel with 1mm bezels on all four sides |
| Performance | Benchmark score above 5 million |
| Status | Reportedly cancelled, unconfirmed |
What Is LOFIC and Why It Matters
LOFIC is a newer sensor technology that helps keep bright skies and lights from getting blown out. In simple terms, it lets a camera capture both very bright and very dark areas in one shot with more detail. If true, a 1/1.12-inch LOFIC main sensor would be a big step for phone photography, especially in harsh sunlight and night scenes with street lights.
The larger periscope sensor and continuous optical zoom would also be a major upgrade. Smooth zoom without jumping between fixed lenses is something photographers love. Together, three 200MP cameras would have made this one of the most ambitious camera phones ever planned.
What Is Available From Xiaomi Right Now?
The tweet says the Xiaomi 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max already launched in China last month, and the standard Xiaomi 18 is expected in December. The Ultra is said to return with the Xiaomi 19 Ultra. That would mean the Pro Max, rather than an Ultra, serves as the top model this year. Read more about the brand on Xiaomi’s Wikipedia page.
Why Would Xiaomi Cancel It?
The reason given is price. Memory and chip costs have pushed smartphone prices up across the industry, and a phone with three 200MP cameras and top-end parts would be very expensive. Our Xiaomi coverage shows how rising costs are already changing launch plans, and our earlier report on Indian price hikes covers the wider trend.
Earlier reports suggested other brands could follow with fewer Ultra models, but that remains speculation. Companies often change plans late in development, and a canceled model can still return in a different form later.
Confirmed vs Not Confirmed
Confirmed by Xiaomi: nothing about an 18 Ultra. Reported by a tipster: the cancellation, the specs and the plan to bring the Ultra back with the Xiaomi 19. Not known: whether any parts of this design will appear in other Xiaomi phones, and what the Pro Max camera offers compared with the shelved Ultra.
Digital Chat Station has a mixed track record, with many accurate leaks and some misses, so treat all of this as a rumor until Xiaomi speaks. If you were saving for an Ultra, it may be wise to look at the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max or wait for more news.
What Should Buyers Do?
If you want the best Xiaomi camera phone today, the current Ultra and the new Pro Max are the safest bets. Wait for official confirmation before making big plans around a launch that may never happen. We will update this story as soon as Xiaomi comments or new leaks appear.
Source: Abhishek Yadav on X and Notebookcheck
