Xiaomi 17 Pro Brings Magic Back Screen to Its Camera Island

Xiaomi has officially confirmed that the upcoming Xiaomi 17 Pro will also carry a secondary display on the back, not just its larger sibling, the 17 Pro Max. In a teaser video shared on Weibo, the company revealed both models flaunting their new rear-mounted panels integrated seamlessly into the camera island.

This extra display, dubbed the Magic Back Screen, aims to give users more ways to interact with their phones beyond the main display.

While Xiaomi has yet to disclose the exact size or technical specifications of this panel, the teaser hints at practical uses such as showing watch faces, notifications, and even acting as a live camera viewfinder. This could prove especially handy for selfies, as users will now be able to leverage the full power of the main rear cameras instead of relying solely on the front-facing sensor.

This is not entirely uncharted territory for Xiaomi. The brand previously experimented with a rear screen on the Mi 11 Ultra back in 2021, although that effort was limited to a tiny 1.1-inch AMOLED panel tucked into a corner. The new implementation appears larger, more refined, and tightly integrated into the design rather than being a side gimmick. In fact, Xiaomi seems to be positioning it as a true functional feature rather than just a quirky add-on.

The secondary screen could also open the door to niche use cases: a macro shooter preview, a makeshift light ring effect, or even quick data from wearables like heart rate or weather updates. Fans have been quick to point out that this approach offers some of the flexibility of foldables, without the structural compromises or durability concerns. Of course, not everyone is sold – some worry about additional battery drain, while others dismiss it as an unnecessary Gen-Z oriented gimmick. However, with modern batteries surpassing 7000mAh capacity, many argue the trade-off is minimal compared to the functionality gained.

Reactions are also heavily colored by comparisons to competitors. Several users see this as Xiaomi’s answer to Apple’s bulky camera islands, suggesting that at least Xiaomi is putting the extra space to clever use. Others are reminded of LG’s experimental streak in years past, praising Xiaomi for trying something different rather than releasing yet another predictable slab phone. Whether it will remain a China-exclusive feature or roll out globally is still uncertain, but expectations are high. Some enthusiasts are already talking about importing the device if it doesn’t launch worldwide.

In short, Xiaomi’s 17 Pro line is not just about raw hardware upgrades – it’s about rethinking the back of the phone as a functional, interactive surface. If the Magic Back Screen lives up to its promise, this could be one of the year’s most interesting design moves in the smartphone industry.