Google Maps, Spotify, and more are coming to Xiaomi 18 Pro's rear display

A second screen on the back of a smartphone is a pretty cool idea, but there’s only so much excitement in checking notifications or looking at the time. I’ve always felt that if a phone has an extra display, it should let you do things without constantly turning to the main screen.

That’s partly why the Xiaomi 17 Pro series caught my attention. The small display next to the rear cameras looked interesting, but unfortunately, the phones never reached global markets.

That could change with the upcoming Xiaomi 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max, which are expected to launch globally this year. More importantly, Xiaomi seems to be making that little screen a lot more practical.

Xiaomi has confirmed on X that Google Maps, Spotify, and YouTube Music will work on the rear display. So, if your phone is lying face down on your desk while you’re working, you could quickly change songs or check what’s playing without picking it up. And if you’re walking somewhere unfamiliar, you could glance at directions on the smaller screen instead of repeatedly switching to the main display.

Interestingly, Xiaomi is also bringing generative AI into the mix. In a video shared on X, the company’s VP and CMO demonstrated how users could create simple apps by describing what they want. For example, if you’re learning a new language, you could potentially create a vocabulary app and use it directly on the rear screen.

We still don’t know much, especially how well these apps will work on such a small display. But I like where Xiaomi is going with this. A second screen is one thing, but giving people more reasons to use it throughout the day is what makes it interesting.