The Xiaomi 17 series is now officially launched, merging elegant design, cutting-edge camera technology, and high-capacity batteries, all centered around the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5.

Following the reveal of the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, numerous smartphone manufacturers have showcased their newest flagship devices, and Xiaomi is among them. The firm formally presented the Xiaomi 17 series during its launch event on September 25, unveiling three variants: the Xiaomi 17, 17 Pro, and 17 Pro Max. Each one is equipped with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor.

Though the entire line appears impressive, the spotlight was on the innovative Xiaomi 17 Pro, which boasts distinctive OLED displays embedded in the rear camera modules, providing users with a fresh interaction method with their smartphones. The 17 Pro features a 2.66-inch secondary display, whereas the 17 Pro Max comes with a larger 2.9-inch screen.

These rear displays fulfill a variety of roles, including customizable wallpapers, real-time notifications, sticky notes, and media controls, reinventing the conventional camera protrusion into an interactive interface. According to Xiaomi’s presentation, this design aspect removes traditional bezels around the primary display, achieving a super-slim 1.18-millimeter bezel width across all three variants.

As if that weren’t sufficient, Xiaomi also revealed a specialized case for the Xiaomi 17 Pro that enables the phone’s back to act like a handheld gaming device, complete with controls and the capability to play games on the secondary display. While the accessory might resemble a concept suitable for an April Fools’ announcement, Xiaomi has assured that it is a legitimate product, demonstrating it during their press briefing.

The Xiaomi 17 series further debuts the company’s new Jinshajiang battery technology, which employs L-shaped packaging and boasts a 16 percent high-silicon content. The standard Xiaomi 17 is equipped with a 7,000 mAh battery, surpassing the Pro model’s 6,300 mAh capacity, while the Pro Max showcases an even more remarkable 7,500 mAh capacity. During the launch demonstration, Xiaomi highlighted the standard model’s stamina by directly comparing it with Apple’s iPhone 17 in a prolonged video playback evaluation, with the Xiaomi device lasting longer than the iPhone, even when the Apple model was aided by a 5,000 mAh MagSafe battery pack.

All three versions support 100-watt wired charging through both Xiaomi’s proprietary standard and the universal PPS protocol, alongside 50-watt wireless charging. The Surge G2 battery management chip is crafted to ensure long-lasting battery health, preserving at least 80 percent capacity after 2,000 charging cycles.

As anticipated, Xiaomi put substantial focus on the camera technology in the 17 series. Each model encompasses a triple 50-megapixel rear camera setup developed in collaboration with Leica. The primary sensor features Light Fusion 950L technology, yielding 16.5 stops of dynamic range. Both Pro models incorporate floating periscope telephoto lenses, providing 5x optical zoom. The Pro Max sets itself apart with enhanced low-light performance, courtesy of its f/2.6 aperture telephoto lens, as opposed to the Pro’s f/3.0 aperture.

On the display front, the Xiaomi 17 series utilizes the brand’s M10 screen luminescence technology, which the company claims delivers the industry’s highest luminous efficiency at 82.1 cd/A. The Pro Max introduces a separately arranged RGB pixel stack that prevents pixel pooling while consuming 26 percent less power than traditional 2K displays. All models feature 6.3-inch LTPO OLED screens, except for the Pro Max, which expands to 6.9 inches.

In the Chinese market, pricing begins at 4,499 yuan (around $630 USD) for the base Xiaomi 17, with the 17 Pro starting at 5,499 yuan (approximately $770 USD) and the 17 Pro Max at 5,999 yuan (about $840 USD). The devices will be available through Mi.com, Xiaomi Stores, and other official channels starting from September 27, 2025, at 10:00 a.m.

For international audiences, global availability remains uncertain. Based on previous releases, however, some models are anticipated to launch in Europe during spring 2026, likely aligning with the Mobile World Congress trade show in late February. The company may also introduce a more powerful Xiaomi 17 Ultra variant at that time.

The Xiaomi 17 series poses a direct competition to Apple’s iPhone 17 lineup and Samsung’s Galaxy S series. With features like secondary displays, substantial batteries, and advanced camera systems, the new flagship range emphasizes Xiaomi’s commitment to innovation in a fiercely competitive smartphone landscape. Stay tuned to CGMagazine for further updates, including reviews as we test the devices.