5 facts you want to know about the Xiaomi 17: From dual screens to gaming cases
By ForGeeks
Xiaomi has unveiled the Xiaomi 17 lineup, which is directly aimed at competing with Apple’s iPhone 17. While the series is only available in China for now and has not been announced for the US, it’s a notable development in the Android world that’s worth noting.
The company has highlighted several features of the new smartphones right away, and here are five key facts that are important to know about the Xiaomi 17.
Why not the Xiaomi 16?”
In late 2024, Xiaomi launched the Xiaomi 15 series in China, and in early 2025 — in the global market. More recently, the 15T lineup debuted, and it continues to be relevant.
The company, however, skipped the 16 and went straight to the Xiaomi 17. The reason is simple: competition with the iPhone 17. Xiaomi’s smartphone division president Lu Weibin said on Weibo:
«The success of iPhone 17 is obvious to everyone, but we are confident, which is why we directly compete with iPhones of the same generation and level».
This is Xiaomi’s way of avoiding the «outdated number» effect, lest customers perceive its model as a generation behind Apple.
How many models are in Xiaomi’s 17 series?”
Xiaomi has released three devices: the Xiaomi 17, Xiaomi 17 Pro and Xiaomi 17 Pro Max, echoing Apple’s naming scheme. There’s no Ultra model in the lineup yet, but given the tradition in recent years, the camera-centric Xiaomi 17 Ultra is expected to arrive at a later date.
All three smartphones are built on Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor, and it is the Xiaomi 17 that is the first official model with the chip.
- Xiaomi 17: 6.3-inch screen, a bezel of just 1.18mm, three 50MP cameras, and a 7,000mAh battery. The price starts at around $630.
- Xiaomi 17 Pro: 6.3-inch screen, improved camera sensors, periscopic telephoto lens, 6,300 mAh battery. Starting price — about $700.
- Xiaomi 17 Pro Max: 6.9-inch screen, larger camera sensor, 7,500 mAh battery. Starting price — about $850.
Second screen on the back
Unlike the iPhone 17 Pro, where the space around the cameras is left empty, Xiaomi has used it for a second display.
- The Xiaomi 17 Pro has an additional screen diagonal of —2.7 inches.
- The Xiaomi 17 Pro Max has — 2.9 inches.
The two displays have a brightness of up to 3,500 nits and handle notifications, widgets, and can also be used as a viewfinder for selfies on the main camera.
The idea of screens on the back isn’t new, but Xiaomi’s implementation is closer to compact foldable devices like the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip. It will be interesting to see how massively users will embrace such a feature.
Batteries —the main «chip»
Although the second screen is eye-catching, it’s the batteries that may prove to be the Xiaomi 17’s main advantage.
- Xiaomi 17 — 7,000 mAh
- Xiaomi 17 Pro — 6,300 mAh
- Xiaomi 17 Pro Max — 7500 mAh
The batteries are created using Surge Battery technology with a «stacked» layout (cells are stacked in layers instead of winding). Each uses 16% silicon, has its own charge management system, and supports up to 100 watts of wired PPS charging and 50 watts of wireless charging.
At the launch event, Xiaomi compared the 7000mAh battery to the iPhone 17: even with Apple’s optional MagSafe power pack, the smartphone lost out in a video playback test.
Game Boy-style case
Xiaomi is known for accessories for its Ultra models that turn the smartphone into a camera with physical controls. For the 17 Pro, the company has introduced an unusual Retro Handheld Gamer Case that turns the smartphone into a retro console.
An unusual accessory for the 17 Pro is the Retro Handheld Gamer Case, which turns the smartphone into a retro console.
The case uses the smartphone’s back screen, adds a D-pad, four buttons, and an extra battery. It connects via Bluetooth. For full functionality, games must support control through this circuitry and the rear display.
Release date
Xiaomi 17 Series is already available in China. Global plans have yet to be announced, but it’s rumored to make its world premiere in February 2026 at Mobile World Congress.
