Xiaomi 17: In summary
- Xiaomi 16 series skipped in favour of Xiaomi 17
- All models are now official in China
- Global launch expected in the coming weeks, but might be missing Pro
- Ultra model is now official, with two versions
The Xiaomi 15 series arrived in Europe last year to rave reviews, but, as usual in the world of phones, thoughts and eyes quickly turned to what the next models will bring.
However, in a twist that none of us saw coming, Xiaomi has decided to skip the Xiaomi 16 range entirely , instead bestowing its newly announced set of smartphones with a higher Xiaomi 17 moniker.
And the company is making no secret of its attempts to go head-to-head with Apple, which recently unveiled the iPhone 17 range. Its new high-end phones are even called the Xiaomi 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max. With a regular model rounding out the trio and the Ultra confirmed later, all the company is missing is a Xiaomi 17 Air.
Naming conventions aside, the Xiaomi flagships are typically among Tech Advisor’s favourite phones outside of Google Pixel and Samsung Galaxy , and there are big shoes to fill. However, the Xiaomi 17 series has been unveiled in China, and there are some exciting upgrades.
Here’s everything we know so far about the Xiaomi 17 phones, including when they might be released in the UK and Europe.
Xiaomi 17: What’s new?
In summary
- First phones with new Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset
- Secondary displays on Pro and Pro Max
- Huge batteries – up to 7500mAh
- Longer telephoto lens on Pro models
- Runs HyperOS 3 based on Android 16
The Xiaomi 17 series represents one of the biggest generational upgrades we’ve seen on flagship phones in a long time. Here are the main upgrades you can look forward to on the Chinese models, though it’s unclear if these will all make their way to the global versions.
Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5
The Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 launched just hours before the Xiaomi 17 series, making them the first phones to adopt Qualcomm’s new flagship chipset.
Chris Martin / Foundry
Despite the name, this is a successor to the Snapdragon 8 Elite, boasting significant improvements in performance, power efficiency and AI capabilities.
All three phones in the Xiaomi 17 range are powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5. Alongside options for 12- or 16GB of RAM, you can expect class-leading performance.
Secondary displays (Pro models only)
Undoubtedly, the most interesting change on the Xiaomi 17 series is the new displays on the back. These only apply to Pro models, though, meaning the regular Xiaomi 17 misses out.
On the 17 Pro, it’s a 2.7-inch, 904 x 572 screen, while the 17 Pro Max bumps it up to a 2.9-inch, 596 x 976 panel. Both are AMOLED touchscreens with 120Hz refresh rates.
The most obvious use case is for selfies, but Xiaomi also says they can be used to control music, set timers, see incoming calls and notifications and more. It supports custom wallpapers, and can even be combined with a case to create a handheld console-like experience.
Xiaomi
Big batteries
The Xiaomi 17 series phones have some of the biggest batteries on the market.
While the 17 Pro is the smallest of the trio, its 6300mAh cell is still well above average. Meanwhile, the regular 17 and 17 Pro Max boast 7000mAh and 7500mAh batteries, respectively, which are huge. The second screen on the Pro Max could counteract any battery life gains, but we’d still expect to see top-tier stamina.
Battery capacities are sometimes reduced on the global versions of Chinese phones, but let’s hope there aren’t any significant downgrades this time.
You also get 100W wired charging and 50W wireless charging across the range, but again, this could be reduced by the time it arrives in Europe.
New displays
The Xiaomi 17’s display is largely unchanged compared to the 15, with a slightly smaller 6.3-inch, 120Hz AMOLED panel with FHD+ resolution.
However, there are bigger differences elsewhere in the lineup. The 17 Pro is much more compact than the 15 Pro, opting for a 6.3-inch panel rather than a 6.83-inch one and reducing the refresh rate from 144Hz to 120Hz.
Meanwhile, the 17 Pro Max jumps from 6.73 inches to 6.9 inches.
Upgraded cameras
Despite big changes elsewhere, the Xiaomi 17 series cameras represent more of an iterative update.
The regular model’s rear lenses are almost identical to its predecessor, with a very slightly smaller f/1.7 aperture on its 50Mp main camera and a narrower 102-degree field of view on the 50Mp ultrawide, but the exact same 50Mp telephoto with 2.6x optical zoom. The selfie camera gets a nice boost from 32Mp to 50Mp, though.
On the Xiaomi 17 Pro, the 50Mp main lens has a slightly smaller aperture, but it and the 50Mp 5x telephoto are almost identical to its predecessor. However, the 12Mp, 120-degree ultrawide has been replaced with a 50Mp, 102-degree one, while the selfie lens has also been upgraded from 32Mp to 50Mp.
However, the biggest upgrades are reserved for the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max. While the 50Mp main and 50Mp ultrawide are largely the same (aside from a reduced 102-degree field of view on the ultrawide once again), there are significant changes to the telephoto setup.
The main lens remains at 50Mp, but gets a smaller f/2.4 aperture and boosts optical zoom from 3x to 5x. Meanwhile, it’s now supported by a brand-new 200Mp periscope telephoto and 3D Time of flight (ToF) depth sensor.
Xiaomi
Could this allow the 17 Pro Max to replace the Xiaomi 15 Ultra as the best camera phone you can buy? Time will tell.
New software
All three of the Xiaomi 17 phones ship running the company’s HyperOS 3 software out of the box. It’s based on Android 16 , but has a very different look and feel to Pixel phones , as you’ll be aware if you’ve used any Xiaomi phones recently.
As Xiaomi itself has documented, the software includes a redesigned home screen, new cinematic lock screens and an upgrade search tool.
However, the company has yet to reveal how long it will support the Xiaomi 17 series with software updates. For context, the Xiaomi 15 series offers four major OS upgrades and six years of security patches.
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
When will the Xiaomi 17 series be released globally?
In summary
- 17 Pro and Pro Max launched in China on 25 September 2025
- Xiaomi 17 Ultra launched in China on 27 December 2025
- Global release soon in 2026 with the line-up leaked
Even though the Chinese launch of these phones has been brought forward, there’s still a decent delay at hand for international buyers looking to get their mitts on the devices. According to the latest leaks, it now seems as if the standard Xiaomi 17 will be making its way to international shores for January 2026, although February might also be on the cards at this rate.
Having a January release is significant however as it’ll allow Xiaomi to get the drop on the upcoming Samsung Galaxy S26 range which is set to debut in Q1 2026. Where Xiaomi’s launch strategy could see its biggest shake-up however is in the supposed plan for the powerful Xiaomi 17 Ultra.
For context, Xiaomi Ultra phones have typically seen a Chinese release pencilled in for February before a global release the following month, which is ushered in by an appearance at the MWC event in early March.
However, following a Chinese release of 27 December, that well-established partnership with MWC might not be on the cards after all, as the phone might enjoy a global launch that precedes MWC.
A January 2026 timeframe has been tipped, but time is running out, so February seems more likely.
It’s now been ‘confirmed’ which Xiaomi 17 models are getting a global launch with information storage and colours. The source says they are “coming soon” and it seems as if the Pro models won’t go global as well as the 17 Ultra Leica edition.
Xiaomi 17 5G
- 12GB+256GB, 12GB+512GB
- Black, Blue, Green
Xiaomi 17 Ultra 5G
- 16GB+512GB, 16GB+1TB
- Black, White, Green
Sources: Abhishek Yadav via X | Huawei Central | Sudhanshu Ambhore
Will there be a Xiaomi 17 Ultra?
It was only a matter of time before Xiaomi officially pulled back the curtain on its highest-end flagship phone and that’s exactly what happened just before 2025 was done. The Xiaomi 17 Ultra is on its way and if you do fancy going all in for your next upgrade then here’s what you need to know.
As some rumours predicted, there are two versions of this particular phone: the standard Xiaomi 17 Ultra and the camera-focused Xiaomi 17 Ultra by Leica. The latter option features two colourways closely inspired by Leica’s classic cameras, while the camera bump itself can be rotated to change the zoom length, just like how you would with a traditional camera.
Credit: Xiaomi
The Leica version also comes with a dual-satellite system, which provides greater emergency coverage if you’re completely out of range from your mobile network. You will need to pay more for the privilege of owning the Leica model as it’s 1499 yuan (£159/$215) more expensive than the standard option.
Both phones feature a main 1-inch sensor which sits alongside a 200Mp telephoto lens and a 14mm ultra-wide camera which, when all put together, should provide the most comprehensive camera experience of any phone in the Xiaomi 17 range, although we won’t know for sure until we get a unit in for testing.
In terms of raw power, both versions of the Xiaomi 17 Ultra will use the same Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset found in the Xiaomi 17, 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max, but there is a minimum of 12GB RAM to go with it, moving up to 16GB RAM on more expensive options.
Wired charging has stayed the same over the previous Xiaomi 15 Ultra at 90W, but interestingly enough, the wireless charging speed has dropped from 80W to 50W, which might be worth bearing in mind depending on how often you use the feature.
At the very least, the battery itself is now much larger, having jumped up from 5410mAh to 6800mAh which should allow it to run for longer in between charges.
Credit: Xiaomi
The display has also been flattened so that it no longer curves around the edges of the device, and the peak brightness has shifted to an impressive 3500 nits. As a final tidbit, Xiaomi’s press release mentions the 17 Ultra as coming with HyperOS 3 and supporting “iPhone Home screen+ and comprehensive support across Apple devices” – while we don’t yet know exactly what that entails, it could be interesting to see greater connectivity between Android and iOS.
The phone is now available to buy in China, with an announcement regarding a global release expected sometime in the near future. Keep on reading to find out how much the Xiaomi 17 Ultra is set to cost.
As usual, the Ultra features an optional Photography Kit, which this year comes in two versions – one more like previous models and new, simplistic edition. “Both feature a redesigned ergonomic form factor for improved handling and now support magnetic attachment,” said Xiaomi.
Xiaomi
Sources: Xiaomi
How much will the Xiaomi 17 series cost?
In summary
- Unchanged pricing in China compared to Xiaomi 15 series
- If same true for global launch, range would start at £899/€999
- Almost certainly not available in the US
The Xiaomi 17 series has officially launched in China. Here’s how much you can expect to pay.
- Xiaomi 17: From CNY 4,499 (approx. £470/€540)
- Xiaomi 17 Pro: From CNY 5,000 (approx. £520/€600)
- Xiaomi 17 Pro Max: From CNY 6,000 (approx. £630/€720)
- Xiaomi 17 Ultra: From CNY 6,999 (£750/€860)
- Xiaomi 17 Ultra by Leica: From CNY 7,999 (£850/€980)
However, keep in mind that those GBP and EUR prices are based on direct conversions at the time of writing. The actual price you’ll pay in the UK and Europe will almost certainly be significantly higher.
Prior to the Chinese launch, Xiaomi Partner and President Lu Weibing confirmed that the base Xiaomi 17 would be priced the same as its predecessor, which ended up being the case.
If we also see no change to the global pricing, here’s what the starting prices could be:
- Xiaomi 17: £899/€999
- Xiaomi 17 Pro: £1,099/€1,299 (if it launches)
- Xiaomi 17 Pro Max/17 Ultra: £1,299/€1,499
Will the Xiaomi 17 Pro come to the UK and Europe?
One of the questions, as ever, is whether we will get the Xiaomi 17 Pro model in the UK and Europe. The last Pro model to make it there was the Xiaomi 13 Pro , meaning we’ve missed out on the last two generations.
Xiaomi is yet to confirm which Xiaomi 17 models might launch globally, but based on recent history, it seems most likely that the 17 Pro won’t make it out of Asia.
For context, here are the global launch prices of previous generations:
- Xiaomi 15 : £899
- Xiaomi 15 Ultra : £1,299
- Xiaomi 14 : £849/€999
- Xiaomi 14 Ultra : £1,299/€1,499
- Xiaomi 13 Lite : £449/€499
- Xiaomi 13 : £849/€999
- Xiaomi 13 Pro : £1,099/€1,299
- Xiaomi 13 Ultra : €1,499
- Xiaomi 12 Lite : £419/€395
- Xiaomi 12 : £749/€849
- Xiaomi 12 Pro : £1,049/€1,049
Author: Chris Martin, Managing Editor, Tech Advisor
Tech Advisor Managing Editor Chris got his break as a reporter at infamous site The Inquirer and has been with us for more than 12 years. With a BA degree in Music Technology, audio is his specialism, but over the years he has reviewed all kinds of gadgets, from smartwatches to mesh Wi-Fi to coffee machines.
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