We're always on the lookout for the next best smartphone. The average phone aficionado is like a shark—they always keep going, because… you know what happens if they stop. And, among the upcoming late 2026 and early 2027 flagships, there was one phone I was particularly interested in—the Xiaomi 18 Ultra.
Once again, the rumor mill has it that this bad boy will never be made. The reason? Why, money!
When too much becomes too much
The Xiaomi 17 Ultra is so cool. | Image by PhoneArena
Per the latest claims, none other than Digital Chat Station—one of the best-informed and most reliable tipsters online—pours the cold shower I'm about to tell you about.
DCS has just posted this:
Not fun at all. | Image by Weibo
They don't say which is the phone; but other insiders have largely agreed it's the Xiaomi 18 Ultra that DCS is talking about.
The last sentence is the most important. DCS says the phone has been "already cancelled". The reason for this drastic measure was a financial one. Not that Xiaomi itself doesn't have the budget for R&D; rather, the Xiaomi 18 Ultra would've been simply too expensive and people wouldn't buy it in high enough quantities for Xiaomi to make a profit.
Poll
69 Votes
When will you buy another flagship?
As soon as I get a raise or inherit a castle in Scotland.
20.29%
I'll wait for Black Friday.
13.04%
Maybe next year, but certainly not now.
31.88%
What do you mean, a "new phone"?! My current phone is great.
34.78%
Teasing
DCS, however, reminds us what this phone was going to be like in terms of specs and hardware.
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The Xiaomi 18 Ultra was to come with super-sleek 1mm thin bezels on all sides of its flat display panel. The main camera would've incorporated a 200 MP 1/1.12-inch LOFIC sensor. A larger sensor can capture more light, which should help with dynamic range, low-light photography and overall image quality. Pairing that large sensor with LOFIC technology could further improve highlight retention, helping preserve details in scenes with harsh sunlight and deep shadows.
There would be a 200 MP ultra-wide snapper and a huge 200 MP 1/1.28-inch LOFIC "continuous optical zoom periscope telephoto" with a multispectral sensor for accurate colors.
The new normal
We've heard before that certain Ultra flagships made by companies like Xiaomi and Oppo will NOT be made in 2027 because of high component prices and the overall inflation that drives people away from luxury handsets.
I, however, hope that DCS is wrong on this one. The Xiaomi 17 Ultra is among the finest mobile photography tools available today and not having a successor would be a shame.
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Sebastian is one of PhoneArena’s senior opinionators. A veteran news writer with almost 20 years of experience in media and technology, he not only covers all the hot news about Galaxies and iPhones, but often provides hot takes on industry trends. He’s fascinated with camera-focused flagships from the likes of Oppo and Vivo, as well as foldable phones.
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