Xiaomi has officially confirmed that the signature secondary display on the back of the new Xiaomi 18 Pro and Xiaomi 18 Pro Max flagships will support third-party services, including Google Maps, YouTube Music, and Spotify. The company demonstrated apps running on the rear screen ahead of the international launch event scheduled for November 17, 2026. This feature was previously used in the Xiaomi 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max models, which were officially sold exclusively in the Chinese market. Now, according to the manufacturer, the rear screen will step outside mainland China for the first time to become part of the global lineup.
Rear display crosses China's borders for the first time
This is a milestone event for Xiaomi: in the previous generation, global markets only received the base Xiaomi 17 and the top-tier Xiaomi 17 Ultra, while advanced Pro and Pro Max variants remained exclusive to the domestic market. In the current cycle, the company has decided to release both Pro models internationally while retaining their key selling point — the secondary screen on the back panel. According to available data, the smaller Xiaomi 18 Pro features a 2.7-inch rear display, while the larger 18 Pro Max version is noticeably bigger. Both flagships share the processor, body materials, and camera system, differing only in main screen dimensions, battery capacity, and secondary display size.
Which apps work on the secondary screen
According to Xiaomi's demonstration, YouTube Music and Spotify will allow users to control music playback and view album art directly on the rear display. Google Maps will be able to show routes and navigation prompts, which is especially convenient when the smartphone is placed on a stand. In addition, the screen will display notifications, serve as a viewfinder for taking selfies with the main cameras, and show data from the proprietary Xiaomi Weather app. Thus, the rear display transforms from a decorative element into a fully functional auxiliary interface.
Back Display GenAI Apps: create apps via descriptions
A separate innovation is the introduction of Back Display GenAI Apps — secondary screen applications that users can create using artificial intelligence simply by describing the desired function in words. This opens up the possibility of customizing the rear display for personalized scenarios without coding or third-party developers, making it more flexible and tailored compared to the previous generation.
What is known about global versions and package contents
Early unboxing footage of global units revealed that the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max will debut in Velvet Red with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage. Inside the box, the manufacturer includes a USB cable and a sturdy clear silicone case, while a separate branded case with a velvet lining and Qi2 magnetic charging support has been released for magnetic charging enthusiasts. Meanwhile, according to preliminary data from Italian online retailer Epto, international versions may feature smaller batteries than their Chinese counterparts: the European Xiaomi 18 Pro may get a 6,000 mAh battery compared to 7,000 mAh in the Chinese version, while the 18 Pro Max capacity may drop from 8,500 to 7,050 mAh.
Dates and estimated prices
The global premiere of the Xiaomi 18 Pro and Xiaomi 18 Pro Max is scheduled for November 17, 2026, after which the devices are expected to hit the international market before the end of the month. According to preliminary information from the same source, the starting price in Europe could be around €1,398.90. Final specifications, pricing, and regional availability will be confirmed at the launch event itself.
