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Xiaomi 17 Series and the Apple Shadow
Squaredtech can confirm that the Xiaomi 17 series did not arrive quietly. The launch event carried heavy Apple energy, from naming strategy to direct comparisons made by CEO Lei Jun. Xiaomi’s flagship push is clearly aimed at matching Apple’s lineup while offering features that Cupertino does not. Fans see it as bold competition, critics call it mimicry, but either way, the Xiaomi 17 family makes a loud statement.
Key highlights from the launch:
- Xiaomi skipped from 15 straight to 17 to mirror Apple’s numbering
- Lineup includes Xiaomi 17, 17 Pro, and 17 Pro Max
- CEO repeatedly compared specs to Apple’s iPhone 17 models
- Focus points: bigger batteries, secondary screens, and advanced photography
Read More About Our Article of iPhone 17 Shocks Apple Fans With Bold Upgrades and All-New Air Model Published on September 11th, 2025 SquaredTech
Secondary Screens Set the Pro Models Apart
The most eye-catching feature is the secondary display on the back of the Xiaomi 17 Pro and Pro Max. This design fills the space near the camera array and works much like cover screens on foldable phones.
Uses of the secondary screen:
- Camera viewfinder for selfies
- Interactive widgets like weather and calendar
- Music playback controls
- Gaming functions with an optional Game Boy-inspired case
While other Android brands have experimented with extra screens before, Xiaomi leverages lessons from flip phone interfaces to make the feature practical. Squaredtech views this as more than a gimmick — it could set the Pro models apart in real-world use.
Specs That Challenge Apple Head-On
Xiaomi’s hardware story is equally bold. Both the Pro and Pro Max share Qualcomm’s new Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset, ensuring top-tier performance.
Xiaomi 17 Pro specs:
- 6.3-inch display
- Weight: 192g
- 6,300mAh battery
- 100W wired charging (PPS standard)
- 50W wireless charging
- Triple 50MP rear cameras (main + ultrawide + telephoto)
Xiaomi 17 Pro Max specs:
- 6.9-inch display
- Weight: 231g, thinner and lighter than Apple’s iPhone 17 Pro Max
- 7,500mAh battery
- Same charging speeds as Pro
- Improved telephoto with larger sensor and f/2.6 aperture for low light
Xiaomi 17 (regular model):
- 6.3-inch display
- Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset
- 7,000mAh battery, bigger than Pro
- Triple 50MP rear cameras
- No secondary screen, making it simpler but more practical
Battery Performance Becomes a Weapon
Battery size became the most repeated theme of the launch. Xiaomi used its massive cells as a direct attack point on Apple.
Battery comparison at launch demo:
- Xiaomi 17 with 7,000mAh played continuous video far longer than iPhone 17.
- To extend the iPhone, Xiaomi added a 5,000mAh MagSafe battery pack during the test.
- Even then, Xiaomi 17 still outlasted Apple’s phone.
Whether these results translate to real-world usage remains to be seen, but the bold comparison got attention. For Squaredtech readers, it shows Xiaomi wants battery longevity to be its core selling point.
Camera Systems Target Photographers
Photography continues to be a major battleground. All three Xiaomi 17 models feature triple 50MP cameras.
Shared features:
- f/1.67 main sensor
- f/2.4 ultrawide
- 5x telephoto zoom
Pro vs Pro Max difference:
- Pro telephoto: f/3.0
- Pro Max telephoto: larger sensor, f/2.6 for stronger low-light shots
These refinements indicate that Xiaomi wants to push Pro Max as a direct alternative to Apple’s Pro Max, especially for night photography and zoom capabilities.
Pricing and Availability
The Xiaomi 17 family is already available for preorder in China, with full release scheduled for September 27.
Official pricing:
- Xiaomi 17: ¥4,499 (approx. $630)
- Xiaomi 17 Pro: ¥4,999 (approx. $700)
- Xiaomi 17 Pro Max: ¥5,999 (approx. $840)
Global release:
- Xiaomi has not confirmed worldwide launch yet
- A European release is expected around February, possibly tied to the MWC trade show
- Rumors suggest a 17 Ultra could appear at that event
Squaredtech’s Take
The Xiaomi 17 series is not shy about its Apple comparisons, but the hardware story is strong enough to stand on its own. Secondary screens give the Pro models unique functionality, battery life is unmatched on paper, and camera setups are designed to win over photography fans. While the regular Xiaomi 17 lacks some flair, its massive battery could make it the sleeper hit of the lineup. The bold pricing also suggests Xiaomi is pushing aggressively into the premium flagship market.
Squaredtech will continue to track how the Xiaomi 17 performs globally, especially once real-world battery and camera tests confirm whether the launch hype matches user experience.
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