Xiaomi 18 'madrid' Spotted in GSMA IMEI Database

The next generation of Xiaomi flagships is beginning to take shape. A new device linked to the Xiaomi 18 series has been spotted in the GSMA IMEI database, offering the first concrete, albeit unofficial, sign that the company is preparing its next compact flagship for a global rollout. The listing reveals the internal codename, a full set of regional model numbers, and a model-number prefix that has already ignited debate about the launch timeline.

The IMEI Listing: Codename 'madrid' and Regional Models

The device appears in the GSMA IMEI database under the internal codename "madrid" . The listing includes four distinct model numbers, each pointing to a different target market :

• 2611FPNFAR: Japan
• 2611FPNFAG: Global
• 2611FPNFAI: India
• M154FF: China / China-linked variant

This spread of model numbers across Japan, India, global markets, and China is a strong signal that "madrid" is not a China-exclusive test unit, but a device being prepared for a wide commercial launch . However, it's important to remember that Xiaomi has not yet officially confirmed the device .

Which phone is 'madrid'? The evidence points toward it being the standard Xiaomi 18 or a compact flagship variant, but the picture isn't entirely clear. One report describes "madrid" as Xiaomi’s “next compact flagship” and ties it to the Xiaomi 18 series . Another notes that the lineup configuration is "less clear" from the IMEI data alone . For now, the most likely interpretation is that "madrid" is the base-model Xiaomi 18, but its use as a series-level codename can't be ruled out.

The "2611" Prefix and the Launch Date Mystery

The "2611" prefix found in three of the four model numbers has become a source of conflicting launch-date rumors . Here’s the critical point: no source provided confirms that "2611" is an official Xiaomi date code, and any interpretation of it pointing to a November 2026 launch is a leak-based reading, not a hard fact.

This speculation creates a direct conflict with other, more fleshed-out leaks. Multiple reports about the higher-end Xiaomi 18 Pro Max, including those attributed to the well-known leaker Digital Chat Station, point to a September 2026 launch window . For the base Xiaomi 18, the safest conclusion is that the IMEI listing confirms the phone is moving toward certification, but it does not pin down a precise launch month .

The Bigger Picture: Xiaomi 18 Pro Max Leaks

While the "madrid" IMEI listing reveals little about the phone’s hardware, a separate and more detailed set of leaks is painting a picture of the rumored top-tier model, the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max. These specifications have not been linked to the "madrid" codename in the available sources but provide context for the series’ high-end ambitions .

Key rumored specs for the Pro Max include:

• Chipset: Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 Pro
• Display: A large, flat 6.9-inch panel
• Battery: An 8,500mAh capacity, which one report described as using silicon-carbon technology
• Cameras: A dual 200MP setup, with reports describing a 200MP main sensor and a 200MP telephoto/periscope camera

Rumors regarding a potential Xiaomi 18 Ultra model remain unverified. While some sources discuss an Ultra variant , the provided sources do not confirm that an 18 Ultra has been canceled in favor of the Pro Max configuration. The current leak landscape primarily establishes a rumored Pro Max tier, not the confirmed removal of an Ultra model .

Key Takeaway

The GSMA IMEI listing of "madrid" is the first strong, source-backed sign that a Xiaomi 18-series compact flagship is on the way, with model numbers already tied to China, India, Japan, and global markets . The model number has triggered launch-timing speculation, but no concrete evidence confirms a November 2026 date, leaving a September 2026 window from other leaks as a strong competing narrative. The high-end of the series is shaping up around a rumored Pro Max model, with leaks pointing to a 6.9-inch display, dual 200MP cameras, and a leading 8,500mAh battery .