Xiaomi’s latest flagship lineup has ignited a fiery debate: is the company borrowing from Apple’s playbook or pushing its own creative boundaries? While critics argue that Xiaomi’s 17 series feels too close to Apple’s design language, fans see it as a bold challenge to the tech giant’s dominance. Either way, it’s clear that Xiaomi aimed to outdo Apple in every aspect—despite the fact that its newer Pro models boast a unique feature: a second screen on the back. This twist adds a fresh angle to the competition, even if it’s not entirely novel.
Let’s dive deeper. Xiaomi’s recent flagships have followed a pattern of skipping numbers, like OnePlus’s jump from 13 to 15. But this time, Xiaomi went straight to 17—not because of a lucky number, but to match Apple’s naming strategy. The brand’s CEO, Lei Jun, made this clear during the Beijing launch, repeatedly comparing the 17 series to Apple’s new iPhones. He emphasized how Xiaomi’s phones excel in battery life, performance, and photography, claiming they’re not just competing but surpassing Apple’s offerings.
The standout feature of the Pro models is the second screen on the back. It replaces the traditional camera ‘plateau’ found on Apple’s Pro iPhones, serving as a versatile display for selfies, music controls, and interactive widgets. This design echoes the cover displays on flip phones, though Xiaomi’s version is more integrated and functional. While similar concepts have been tried before—like Nubia’s dual-screen phones—Xiaomi’s implementation feels more practical, especially with the Game Boy-inspired case that turns the back panel into a portable console.
The 17 series also boasts impressive battery capacity. The Pro model packs a 6,300mAh battery, while the Pro Max goes even higher with 7,500mAh—both supporting 100W wired charging and 50W wireless. Xiaomi even tested this in a dramatic promo video, showing a figure skater glide across the phone’s face, a visual that’s sure to spark debate about real-world usability. Meanwhile, the regular 17 model surprises with a 7,000mAh battery, bigger than the Pro’s, and Xiaomi used a clever iPhone comparison to highlight this, even slapping a 5,000mAh MagSafe battery on an iPhone to prove its point.
Cameras are another area of focus, with three 50MP lenses on each phone. The main camera shares an f/1.67 aperture with Apple’s Pro models, but the Pro Max benefits from a larger sensor and faster f/2.6 aperture, promising better low-light performance. The regular 17, while lacking the second screen, offers a streamlined design with the same 6.3-inch display and triple-lens setup.
Pricing starts at ¥4,499 for the standard 17, rising to ¥5,999 for the Pro Max. While global availability is still unclear, a European launch is likely in early 2025, possibly alongside the rumored Xiaomi 17 Ultra. So, what’s your take? Is Xiaomi copying Apple, or is this a bold step toward innovation? Share your thoughts in the comments—because the real test is whether these phones can stand up to the competition in the real world.
