When you purchase through links in our articles, we may earn a small commission. This doesn’t affect our editorial independence . Managing Editor, Tech Advisor
I’ve been playing with the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max and I don’t think turning the entire camera module on the back into a display is a novelty
Today, Xiaomi has announced that it will launch its new flagship phones globally on 17 November in Paris. At the event, the Xiaomi 18 Pro series will get the limelight, and it marks a big change in strategy for the company. Firstly, we normally have to wait many months to get the global launch, following China. This is often around 6 months, with Xiaomi ‘announcing’ them at MWC in Barcelona.
This year, it’s only been a matter of weeks. Secondly, we’re getting a completely different launch strategy. This is the first time Xiaomi has launched the Pro models outside of China as a global launch. Typically, we just get the regular flagship and the camera-focused Ultra. Chris Martin / Foundry
Xiaomi has reportedly ditched the Ultra for this year (and Oppo might be doing the same) and what it means is that the 18 Pro series could start a new trend for mobile phones in the West… rear screens. While Google disappointed with the glorified notification light in HiLight on the back of the Pixel 11 Pro models and Samsung didn’t even add Qi2 magnets to the Galaxy S26 series, Xiaomi has been doing something entirely different. Although the Mi 11 Ultra back in 2021 had a rear screen, it was a tiny display a bit like early Galaxy Z Flip designs.
More Read
Since the 17 Pro models last year, you get a proper, useable OLED screen which takes up the entire camera module. More screens for less screen time?
I’m lucky enough to have been sent the China model of the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max, so I’ve been playing around with it for the last week or so. While other phones are trying to help you cut down screentime with features like the Pixel’s HiLight (which didn’t go so well), having a small screen ironically might be the best solution of the lot. So far, I’ve found it to be a sweet spot. Big enough that it can do useful things, but not so big that you can just use it how you use the phone when holding it normally. I find it particularly helpful when I’m sat at my desk and I slot the 18 Pro Max into a little wooden holder from Ikea, only facing the wrong way.
Chris Martin / Foundry
More Read
The 2.9-inch rear screen (it’s slightly smaller on the 18 Pro at 2.7-inch) gives me useful information and tools without tempting me to pick it up and procrastinate. At its most basic (but still very useful), it serves as a nice little clock, but you can do more than you might expect here. Swipe down for notifications and up for a couple of pre-installed apps called Desk Calendar and Upcoming Events. These can keep you on top of your day without needing a full screen interface or an alternative like a dedicated smart display. You can also install apps for the screen, such as a little fidget game called Keycap Press – good for a bit of quick stress relief.
Chris Martin / Foundry
Delve into the settings and there’s loads more to explore, such as different wallpapers including some cute animal characters (you can swipe between these on the rear display as you choose), personalisation, settings for live updates, phone, music, notifications and more depending on what you want to appear. You can also use the rear screen like you would on a flip phone, as a live preview for the cameras, meaning you can take selfies with the superior cameras without guessing if you’re in the frame. I haven’t tried yet, but you can also generate app cards (the rear screen apps) with Xiaomi AI so, in theory, it can do whatever you want. Will it catch on?
Perhaps it’s just something of a novelty considering innovation in phones this year is at something of an all-time low, but I can genuinely see myself using this rear screen a lot. oplus_8593080320
oplus_8593080320
oplus_8593080320
More Read
oplus_8593080352
Even when I’m away from my desk, it’s useful in plenty of situations. Whether other phone brands will copy it to the point where it’s widespread, I’m not sure, but I can certainly see it not just being a Xiaomi thing.
In fact, Honor has confirmed that the upcoming 700 series phone will indeed come with a very similar rear screen system. I probably wouldn’t put money on Apple doing it on an iPhone any time soon, though.
Read More
