Xiaomi 17 Series Launch: A Bold Direct Challenge to Apple’s iPhone 17

Xiaomi has just unveiled its latest flagship lineup in China, the Xiaomi 17 series, and the company is being strikingly upfront about its ambitions. The message couldn’t be clearer: these phones are built as direct rivals to Apple’s upcoming iPhone 17 range. Rather than playing coy, Xiaomi has leaned into the comparison, even going so far as to synchronize its naming convention with Apple’s latest generation. The strategy is bold, but the specifications and innovations Xiaomi is offering suggest it is not just talk – the brand truly intends to compete head-to-head with Cupertino.

The new lineup consists of three models: the Xiaomi 17, Xiaomi 17 Pro, and Xiaomi 17 Pro Max. Xiaomi deliberately skipped the “16” branding to align itself numerically with the iPhone 17, sending a symbolic signal that it is operating on the same playing field. This move, combined with an unapologetically Apple-like event presentation, shows Xiaomi’s intent to shake up perceptions not just in China but also in international markets where Apple dominates.

Design and the Standout Secondary Display

The most eye-catching feature of the Pro and Pro Max models is the addition of a 2.7-inch secondary display on the back, cleverly integrated around the camera module. This panel isn’t just a gimmick – it functions much like the cover screens found on folding phones, offering quick access to notifications, music controls, widgets, and even serving as a selfie preview. With a sharp 904 x 572 resolution, a blazing 120Hz refresh rate, and brightness peaking at 3,500 nits, Xiaomi ensures this tiny screen is as premium as the main display. It’s also equipped with DC dimming, meaning reduced eye strain for longer use.

The main displays differ slightly between models. The Xiaomi 17 Pro carries a 6.3-inch screen and a lightweight 192g build, while the Pro Max expands to a 6.9-inch panel with a weight of 231g. The regular Xiaomi 17 also comes with a 6.3-inch screen but lacks the rear panel, instead adopting a more conventional square camera bump. Altogether, Xiaomi balances innovation with choice, appealing to users who either want cutting-edge experimentation or prefer something more traditional.

Color Options and Build Quality

Colorways play a major role in smartphone identity, and Xiaomi has gone for bold yet elegant tones. The base Xiaomi 17 is available in Black, White, Ice Melting Blue, and Snow Mountain Powder. Meanwhile, the Pro and Pro Max can be purchased in Black, White, Merino Green, and Cold Smoke Purple. The naming reflects Xiaomi’s strategy of injecting personality into its lineup while offering a premium, almost fashion-like appeal. With lightweight builds and refined finishes, the handsets aim to stand shoulder to shoulder with Apple in terms of feel and sophistication.

Cameras with Leica Engineering

Xiaomi continues its partnership with Leica, equipping all three models with a triple 50 MP rear camera setup. The main sensor across the lineup has an f/1.67 aperture, ensuring strong performance in varied lighting conditions. The ultrawide shooter comes in at f/2.4, while the telephoto setup distinguishes the Pro from the Pro Max. Both provide 5x zoom, but the Pro Max integrates a larger sensor with a faster f/2.6 aperture, allowing significantly better low-light photography compared to the Pro’s f/3.0 lens. The standard Xiaomi 17 also boasts the triple 50 MP array, showing that Xiaomi is refusing to treat its base model as an afterthought. Leica’s fine-tuned color calibration and sharpness adjustments bring added credibility, giving Xiaomi a strong case against Apple’s much-celebrated imaging system.

Performance Powered by Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5

All three devices are powered by Qualcomm’s brand-new Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor, which was announced just a day before Xiaomi’s launch event. This cutting-edge chipset is expected to push performance benchmarks higher than ever, promising smooth multitasking, console-grade mobile gaming, and efficient AI processing. The presence of this processor reinforces Xiaomi’s positioning as not just chasing Apple, but leading in certain areas of raw performance.

Massive Batteries and Charging Technology

Battery life is one of the most critical aspects of smartphones, and Xiaomi is making perhaps its strongest play here. The Xiaomi 17 Pro Max packs a colossal 7,500mAh cell, while the regular 17 comes with 7,000mAh, and the 17 Pro carries 6,300mAh. These figures tower over Apple’s battery capacities and represent some of the largest in the flagship space. To put the icing on the cake, charging speeds are equally impressive – 100W wired charging (with PPS support) and 50W wireless. Xiaomi is also claiming that the batteries are rated for up to 2,000 charge cycles, effectively countering criticism often lobbed at competitors about long-term battery degradation.

Storage and Software

Xiaomi has gone heavy on storage flexibility as well. The base Xiaomi 17 starts with 12GB RAM and 256GB storage and scales up to 16GB RAM and 512GB storage. The Pro Max tops out at 1TB of storage with 16GB of RAM, offering options for even the most demanding power users. Running the show is Xiaomi’s HyperOS 3, which sits on top of Android 16. This iteration of HyperOS is packed with AI-driven features, including Xiaomi’s Hyper XiaoAi assistant, which can proactively suggest services and apps based on user habits. Connectivity features include Wi-Fi 7 and seamless cross-device synchronization, with Xiaomi even emphasizing compatibility with Apple’s Macs and iPads – a daring jab at Apple’s famed ecosystem advantage.

Price and Market Positioning

Pricing starts at ¥4,499 (around $630) for the Xiaomi 17, ¥4,999 ($700) for the 17 Pro, and ¥5,999 ($840) for the Pro Max. Currently, the lineup is exclusive to China, with preorders already open and an official launch date set for September 27. While Xiaomi has yet to confirm international availability, leaks and patterns suggest that European markets could see at least one of the Pro models early next year, possibly unveiled during MWC 2026 in Barcelona.

Direct Competition with Apple

In perhaps the most audacious move, Xiaomi staged a side-by-side demonstration comparing the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max to Apple’s iPhone 17 during continuous video playback. To highlight the difference, Xiaomi even attached a 5,000mAh MagSafe pack to the iPhone. Despite this, the Xiaomi device still outlasted its Apple counterpart, underlining the company’s battery advantage. The stunt may not replicate every real-world scenario, but it hammered home Xiaomi’s message: these devices are built to outlast and outperform the iPhone 17.

The Promise and the Hurdle

On paper, the Xiaomi 17 series is extraordinary. Between its enormous batteries, secondary displays, advanced cameras, and cutting-edge processor, the brand has built a lineup that genuinely pushes the boundaries of flagship smartphones. However, global distribution remains the Achilles’ heel. Apple’s ubiquity lies not only in its product quality but also in accessibility – you can walk into nearly any carrier or electronics store and pick up an iPhone. Xiaomi still struggles with availability in many Western markets, where its devices often need to be imported, limiting mainstream appeal. Until Xiaomi can bridge this distribution gap, it will remain difficult to fully capitalize on the impressive technological edge it appears to have achieved.

Still, for markets where Xiaomi has a foothold, particularly in China, India, and parts of Europe, the Xiaomi 17 lineup could become a defining moment in the company’s rivalry with Apple. With unmatched battery sizes, innovative display solutions, and pricing that undercuts the iPhone 17, Xiaomi has positioned itself as the bold disruptor – whether Apple acknowledges it or not.