Xiaomi has officially lifted the curtain on the Xiaomi 17, and it is immediately drawing attention as the first smartphone powered by Qualcomm’s brand-new Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset. But the silicon is just the beginning of a package that feels like Xiaomi wanted to prove the base model can be just as exciting as its pricier siblings. The standout here is undoubtedly the massive 7,000 mAh battery, using a silicon-carbon (Si/C) composition with up to 16% silicon content. This design not only pushes capacity further but is paired with serious charging options: 100W wired, 50W wireless, and 22.5W reverse wireless top-ups. 
On paper, this is one of the most flexible power setups ever offered in a mainstream flagship.
The display department also gets a notable bump. The Xiaomi 17 comes with a 6.3-inch M10 LTPO OLED panel boasting a 1,220 x 2,656 resolution and an adaptive refresh rate from 1Hz up to 120Hz. Peak local brightness reaches a searing 3,500 nits, making outdoor visibility effortless even under harsh sunlight. The bezels are practically invisible at just 1.18 mm on all sides, while protection is provided by Xiaomi’s Dragon Crystal Glass. Security is handled by an ultrasonic fingerprint sensor tucked beneath the screen.
Design-wise, Xiaomi opts for a flat aluminum frame with IP68 certification, ensuring both durability and resistance to dust and water. Around the back sits a familiar but refined triple-camera system: a 50MP ultrawide (17mm equivalent), a 50MP main sensor with the Light Hunter 950, and a 50MP telephoto (60mm, 2.6x optical). Even the selfie shooter has been pushed to 50MP, promising higher clarity for video calls and content creators alike.
Performance remains central to the experience. The Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 is cooled by a 4,497mm² vapor chamber, paired with either 12GB or 16GB of RAM and up to 512GB of storage. Xiaomi’s HyperOS 3 runs on top, bringing the latest software polish. Available in black, white, blue, and pink, the Xiaomi 17 starts at CNY 4,499 (about $630) for the 12/256GB model, rising to CNY 4,999 ($700) for the 16/512GB version. Pre-orders are already live in China, with shipments starting September 27.
Early reactions from fans suggest the Xiaomi 17 may actually be the sleeper hit of the lineup. Some argue it is a smarter buy than the Pro or Pro Max, given the balanced feature set and more compact 6.3-inch size. Others applaud Xiaomi for listening to demand for slightly smaller phones, though some critics jokingly claim the design resembles a Redmi Note. There are concerns about whether the massive battery will actually deliver correspondingly long endurance, with skeptics citing past Xiaomi quirks. Still, many are excited by the telephoto lens choice and relieved the brand avoided gimmicks like oversized rear displays.
In short, the Xiaomi 17 positions itself as an all-rounder: a device that blends cutting-edge performance with enormous battery life, a practical design, and a price that feels aggressive in the flagship space. It may not carry the Pro’s bells and whistles, but for many users, that balance is exactly what makes it so appealing.
1 comment
finally an all rounder? looks solid tbh