Xiaomi has been making waves in the tech community with its recent teasers for the upcoming Xiaomi 18 Pro series. Just yesterday, the company officially confirmed that the Xiaomi 18 Pro and Xiaomi 18 Pro Max will be unveiled later this month, though an exact date is still under wraps. This announcement has set the stage for what promises to be a significant launch, and now, a new Geekbench listing has surfaced, shedding light on the chipset that will power at least one of these devices.
The Geekbench online database has long been a reliable source for early hardware leaks, and this time it has delivered a gem: a Xiaomi device with the model number M154FF. This listing is particularly intriguing because it reveals the presence of the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 Pro SoC, Qualcomm’s next-generation flagship processor. While the model number itself is a departure from Xiaomi’s usual naming convention—typically starting with the year and month—it’s not necessarily a red flag. The company may simply be experimenting with a new system, or this could be an early prototype. Regardless, the listing gives us a tantalizing glimpse of what to expect from the Xiaomi 18 Pro.
Geekbench Listing Details: What We Know So Far
The Geekbench entry, spotted earlier today, shows the Xiaomi 18 Pro (presumably) running the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 Pro chipset. This is a significant upgrade from the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 that powered last year’s Xiaomi 13 Pro, and it aligns with Qualcomm’s expected release schedule. The listing also indicates that the device will come with a substantial amount of RAM, likely 12GB or 16GB, which is becoming standard for flagship phones in 2024.
In terms of performance scores, the Geekbench results are impressive but not entirely surprising given the hardware. The single-core score hovers around 2,200, while the multi-core score exceeds 7,000. These numbers are in line with what we’d expect from a Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 Pro, which is built on a 4nm process and features a Cortex-X4 prime core clocked at higher speeds. Of course, Geekbench scores are just one metric, and real-world performance will depend on optimization and thermal management. Still, it’s a promising sign that the Xiaomi 18 Pro will be a powerhouse.
It’s worth noting that the model number M154FF is unusual for Xiaomi. The company has traditionally used model numbers like 2210132C for the Xiaomi 13 Pro, where “22” stands for the year 2022, “10” for October, and so on. The new M154FF format could indicate a shift in strategy, perhaps to simplify internal tracking or to differentiate between global and Chinese variants. While some might question the authenticity of the listing, Geekbench has a solid track record, and the specifications align with earlier leaks. So, while we can’t confirm anything officially, this is likely the real deal.
Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 Pro: A Closer Look
The Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 Pro is Qualcomm’s latest and greatest, set to debut in flagship smartphones later this year. Built on TSMC’s 4nm process, it promises significant improvements in both performance and power efficiency over its predecessor. The chip features a tri-cluster CPU architecture: one Cortex-X4 prime core, three Cortex-A720 performance cores, and four Cortex-A520 efficiency cores. This setup is designed to handle everything from intense gaming to everyday tasks with ease.
One of the most talked-about aspects of the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 Pro is its AI capabilities. Qualcomm has been pushing hard on on-device AI, and this chip is no exception. It includes an upgraded Hexagon NPU that can handle generative AI models directly on the device, enabling features like real-time language translation, advanced image editing, and more. For the Xiaomi 18 Pro, this could translate to smarter camera features, better voice assistants, and improved battery management.
Graphics performance is another area where the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 Pro shines. The Adreno 750 GPU offers hardware-accelerated ray tracing, which is becoming increasingly important for mobile gaming. Titles like Genshin Impact and Call of Duty: Warzone Mobile will benefit from smoother frame rates and more realistic lighting effects. Xiaomi has a history of optimizing its flagships for gaming, so we can expect the 18 Pro to deliver a top-tier experience.
What This Means for the Xiaomi 18 Pro
With the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 Pro at its heart, the Xiaomi 18 Pro is poised to be one of the fastest Android phones on the market. But raw power is only part of the story. Xiaomi’s MIUI (or HyperOS, as it’s now called) will play a crucial role in how well the hardware performs. The company has been refining its software to be more efficient and less bloated, and the 18 Pro will likely ship with the latest version out of the box.
Battery life is another consideration. The Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 Pro is more power-efficient than previous generations, but Xiaomi will need to pair it with a sufficiently large battery to keep up with 5G and high-refresh-rate displays. Rumors suggest the Xiaomi 18 Pro will feature a 5,000mAh battery with 120W wired charging and 50W wireless charging. If true, that would be a significant upgrade over the Xiaomi 13 Pro’s 4,820mAh battery.
Camera capabilities are always a highlight for Xiaomi’s Pro series, and the 18 Pro is expected to continue that tradition. The Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 Pro’s upgraded ISP supports 8K video recording at 30fps and 4K at 120fps, along with advanced computational photography features. Xiaomi is likely to leverage this with a Leica-tuned camera system, possibly featuring a 1-inch sensor for the main camera. While we don’t have official specs yet, the Geekbench listing suggests the device is already being tested, so more leaks are sure to follow.
Xiaomi 18 Pro Max: What to Expect
Alongside the Xiaomi 18 Pro, the company is also preparing the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max. This larger variant will likely share most of the internal hardware, including the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 Pro, but with a bigger display and battery. The Pro Max is expected to target users who want the ultimate multimedia experience, with a 6.8-inch LTPO AMOLED screen and a 5,500mAh battery. It may also come with additional camera improvements, such as a higher-resolution telephoto lens.
Both devices are expected to launch later this month, though Xiaomi has not yet announced a specific date. The teasers so far have focused on the design and camera capabilities, hinting at a refined aesthetic and improved optics. The Geekbench listing for the M154FF model gives us confidence that the launch is imminent, as companies typically test their devices on benchmarking platforms shortly before release.
Model Number M154FF: A New Naming Strategy?
The model number M154FF has raised some eyebrows among tech enthusiasts. Xiaomi’s traditional model numbers are often cryptic but follow a pattern that includes the year and month of planned release. For example, the Xiaomi 13 Pro was model 2210132C, where “2210” indicates October 2022. The new M154FF format is completely different, leading to speculation that Xiaomi might be adopting a new system for its global devices or for a specific series.
Some have suggested that M154FF could be an internal codename rather than a retail model number. It’s also possible that this is a prototype that won’t match the final production model. However, Geekbench listings usually reflect real devices that are close to release, so it’s likely that the Xiaomi 18 Pro will carry a similar model number in some regions. We’ll have to wait for official confirmation to know for sure.
Regardless of the model number, the appearance of the Xiaomi 18 Pro on Geekbench is a strong indicator that the launch is just around the corner. Xiaomi has a history of announcing its flagship series in December or January, but this year’s timeline seems to be accelerated. The company may be looking to get a head start on competitors like Samsung and OnePlus, which are also expected to launch Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 Pro devices in early 2024.
Competition and Market Context
The flagship smartphone market is more competitive than ever, with Samsung, Google, OnePlus, and others all vying for attention. The Xiaomi 18 Pro will go head-to-head with the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, which is expected to use the same Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 Pro chip in some regions. Samsung has a strong brand presence and a loyal customer base, but Xiaomi often undercuts its rivals on price while offering comparable or better hardware.
OnePlus is another key competitor. The OnePlus 12, expected to launch soon, will also feature the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 Pro. OnePlus has been gaining traction with its flagship killers, and the 12 promises a refined design and improved cameras. Xiaomi will need to differentiate the 18 Pro through its Leica partnership, faster charging, and aggressive pricing.
Google’s Pixel 8 Pro is a different kind of competitor, focusing on software and AI rather than raw specs. However, the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 Pro’s AI capabilities could help Xiaomi close the gap in features like voice recognition and image processing. Ultimately, consumers will benefit from this fierce competition, as each company strives to outdo the others.
What We Still Don’t Know
While the Geekbench listing confirms the chipset, there are still many unknowns about the Xiaomi 18 Pro. We don’t know the exact display specifications, camera sensor details, or battery capacity. We also don’t know the pricing or availability. Xiaomi has been teasing the series on social media, but the company has been tight-lipped about specifics.
One thing is certain: the Xiaomi 18 Pro will be a flagship in every sense of the word. With the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 Pro, it will offer top-tier performance, and Xiaomi’s track record suggests it will come with a premium design and advanced camera features. As the launch date approaches, we can expect more leaks and official teasers to fill in the gaps.
For now, the Geekbench listing serves as a tantalizing preview of what’s to come. It confirms that Xiaomi is already testing the device, and that the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 Pro will be at its heart. Whether you’re a Xiaomi fan or just in the market for a new flagship, the Xiaomi 18 Pro is shaping up to be one of the most exciting launches of the year. Stay tuned for more updates as we get closer to the official unveiling.
