Xiaomi has unveiled its new flagship Xiaomi 17 Pro Max, aiming to go head-to-head with Apple’s iPhone 17 Pro Max and Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy S25. With ambitious hardware, a novel rear display and aggressive positioning, the 17 Pro Max signals Xiaomi’s determination to be seen as a direct rival at the very top tier of smartphones.
A Direct Challenge to Apple and Samsung
At the launch event, Xiaomi President Lu Weibing emphasised the company’s strategic pivot in naming and positioning:
“We are directly competing with the iPhone in the same generation and at the same level.”
By skipping the “16” series altogether and jumping from the 15 to 17, Xiaomi is sending a message of parity with Apple’s numbering scheme. The company also made subtle jabs during demonstrations, showing comparisons with the iPhone in battery endurance and performance tests.
Although Samsung has not yet officially released the Galaxy S25, Xiaomi’s marketing positions the 17 Pro Max to outdo spec expectations for the next generation of Galaxy flagships.
Key Specifications at a Glance
| Feature | Xiaomi 17 Pro Max | Notes / Comparisons |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (3 nm) | First smartphones to ship with this new chip |
| Memory & Storage | Up to 16 GB RAM, up to 1 TB (UFS 4.1) | Multiple configurations expected |
| Main Display | 6.9-inch LTPO OLED, 120 Hz refresh, ~3,500 nits peak | Narrow bezels (~1.18 mm) |
| Rear Display (Secondary / Back Screen) | ~2.9-inch “Dynamic Back Display” (120 Hz) | Supports widgets, notifications, selfie viewfinder, mini apps |
| Cameras | Triple 50 MP (main, ultra-wide, periscope telephoto) | Telephoto is 5× periscope with a larger sensor and f/2.6 aperture on Pro Max (vs f/3.0 on Pro) |
| Battery & Charging | 7,500 mAh | 100 W wired, 50 W wireless, 22.5 W reverse wireless |
| Dimensions & Weight | 162.9 × 77.6 × 8.0 mm, ~219 g | Slightly larger and heavier than many rivals |
| Software / OS | HyperOS 3 (based on Android 16) | Xiaomi’s new skin, with AI features, Dynamic Back integration |
| Other features | Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, UWB, 5G, IP68 | Full modern flagship connectivity |
What Stands Out: Rear Display, Battery, Camera Edge
The Dynamic Back Display is a key differentiator. Xiaomi describes it as a “Magic Back Screen” that can display timepieces, animated content, app notifications, and even act as a live viewfinder for the rear cameras. Wired notes that Xiaomi has woven the secondary display into the camera bump to hide it while keeping it useful. The rear display size is about 2.9 inches on the Pro Max (versus ~2.7 inches on the Pro).
Battery life is another area Xiaomi chose to emphasise. A 7,500 mAh cell, combined with its efficient silicon-carbon battery design (as claimed by Xiaomi), allows it to promise two days of typical use. In demos, Xiaomi even pitted its device against an iPhone 17 with an external battery pack to show sustained video playback.
The camera setup is very competitive. The Pro Max uses a larger sensor in its telephoto module (for better low-light) and the same 5× periscope zoom found on the Pro model, but tuned for performance. Xiaomi continues its partnership with Leica for camera calibration and imaging software.
Comparison with iPhone 17 Pro Max and Galaxy S25 (based on expectations)
- Display & brightness: Xiaomi claims ~3,500 nits peak luminance, which would outshine the iPhone 17 Pro Max in many usage scenarios.
- Battery: The 7,500 mAh battery is far larger than typical batteries in iPhones and likely also exceeds what Samsung will offer in the S25 series (if trends continue).
- Camera flexibility: With three 50 MP modules and a strong periscope zoom, Xiaomi is well-positioned against Apple’s computational photography and Samsung’s zoom efforts.
- Differentiated feature: The secondary display gives Xiaomi a visual and functional edge in innovation, something neither Apple nor Samsung currently offers in their flagship slabs.
Availability and Pricing
Xiaomi confirmed that the 17 Pro Max is now available for preorder in China, with a full commercial release scheduled for 27 September 2025. The starting price is ¥5,999 (approximately USD 840) in China. Xiaomi has not yet confirmed the global launch schedule, but many analysts expect a spring 2026 release in markets outside China.
With the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max, Xiaomi is making a bold statement: it wants to be seen not just as a China powerhouse, but as a global contender to Apple and Samsung. The combination of the rear display, massive battery, top-tier chipset, and aggressive pricing could attract power users and tech enthusiasts. Whether it can truly dethrone the iPhone 17 Pro Max or match what Samsung will bring with the S25 depends on global software support, marketing strength, and user adoption.
Discussion about this post