In a surprising turn of events, Xiaomi has decided to cancel the launch of its highly anticipated Xiaomi 18 Ultra smartphone, according to recent reports. This decision comes shortly after the company announced the global launch of the Xiaomi 18 Pro and Xiaomi 18 Pro Max, which marks a notable shift since their predecessors, the Xiaomi 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max, remained exclusive to the Chinese market.
Cancellation of the Xiaomi 18 Ultra
Renowned leakster Digital Chat Station has confirmed the cancellation, aligning with earlier rumors from August. The primary reason behind this decision seems to center around pricing concerns. The Xiaomi 18 Ultra was expected to retail for around CNY 10,000 for the 12GB RAM and 256GB storage variant, a price point that Xiaomi deemed excessively high and likely to deter potential buyers.
Price Comparisons with Previous Models
The anticipated price of CNY 10,000, which translates to approximately $1,500, £1,125, €1,330, or ₹143,500, represents a significant hike compared to the Xiaomi 17 Ultra. For context, the previous model was priced at CNY 7,000 for a 12GB RAM and 512GB storage configuration, while the 17 Ultra Leica Edition was available for CNY 8,000 with 16GB RAM and 512GB storage.
Specifications That Impressed
Despite its cancellation, the Xiaomi 18 Ultra was rumored to feature some groundbreaking specifications. Reports suggested it would have included a staggering triple camera setup, all boasting 200MP sensors. This would have featured a 1/1.12” LOFIC main camera, a 1/1.28” LOFIC periscope lens with continuous zoom capabilities, and a 1/1.56” ultra-wide camera.
High-End Features and Design
Beyond its camera prowess, the Xiaomi 18 Ultra was expected to come equipped with a flagship chipset, a sleek flat display with minimal 1mm bezels, and symmetrical stereo speakers, signifying its position as a premium device. However, most of the development budget was likely allocated to its advanced camera hardware, given the impressive specifications.
It is important to note that the original post by Digital Chat Station regarding the Xiaomi 18 Ultra is no longer accessible, leaving some uncertainty about the validity of this information. While the pricing issues could have played a crucial role in the cancellation, it remains to be seen how competitors like the vivo X500 Ultra and Oppo Find X10 Ultra will price their offerings. This raises the question of whether CNY 10,000 will become the new standard for high-end, camera-centric flagship devices.
Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/another_report_says_that_the_xiaomi_18_ultra_has_been_canceled_reveals_monster_specs-news-74903.php
