Chinese tech giant Xiaomi has unveiled its new flagship Xiaomi 17 series, a lineup designed to directly compete with Apple’s latest iPhones. During the launch event in Beijing, CEO Lei Jun repeatedly compared the new phones to Apple’s, highlighting where the Xiaomi 17 series claims to win on battery life, performance, and photography.
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The new series includes three models: the Xiaomi 17, Xiaomi 17 Pro, and Xiaomi 17 Pro Max. The naming convention—which skips from the previous 15 series directly to 17—is a clear nod to Apple’s numbering system, signalling Xiaomi’s ambition to be a direct rival.
While the branding strategy mirrors Apple’s, the hardware itself features some unique elements. The Xiaomi 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max stand out with a second screen on the back. This display is located next to the camera lenses and functions similarly to a cover screen on a foldable phone, offering a viewfinder for selfies, music controls, and interactive widgets. The company even showcased an official case that turns the second screen into a functional Game Boy-inspired console.
All three phones are powered by Qualcomm’s new Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset. They are equipped with large batteries and impressive charging capabilities:
- Xiaomi 17 Pro: Features a 6,300mAh battery with 100W wired and 50W wireless charging.
- Xiaomi 17 Pro Max: Packs a massive 7,500mAh battery, also with 100W wired and 50W wireless charging.
- Xiaomi 17: Surprisingly, has an even larger 7,000mAh battery than the Pro model.
For cameras, the two Pro models each feature three 50-megapixel shooters on the back. While both have the same main and ultrawide cameras, the Pro Max includes an upgraded telephoto lens for improved performance, especially in low light.
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The Xiaomi 17 series is available for pre-order in China, with a full release on September 27. The pricing is as follows:
- Xiaomi 17: Starts at ¥4,499 (around $630)
- Xiaomi 17 Pro: Starts at ¥4,999 (around $700)
- Xiaomi 17 Pro Max: Starts at ¥5,999 (around $840)
While global release plans have not been announced, a European launch is expected in early 2026, possibly around the MWC trade show in February.
