Xiaomi 17 series debut: Snapdragon 8 Elite, 100W charging and dual LTPO screens

The Xiaomi 17 series marks a bold step for the Chinese maker, bundling the world’s first Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor with a suite of premium features that aim to outpace Apple and Samsung. Launch day on September 25, 2025, saw three variants hit the market – the base Xiaomi 17, the higher‑end Xiaomi 17 Pro, and the top‑tier Xiaomi 17 Pro Max – all sharing a common design language but differing in size, battery capacity and RAM.

Powerful performance and premium design

Under the hood, the Pro Max houses a 4.6 GHz octa‑core CPU, paired with 12 GB of RAM and a massive 512 GB of internal storage. The Pro follows closely with 8 GB RAM and 256 GB storage, while the standard model offers 6 GB RAM and 128 GB. All three devices measure 77.6 × 162.9 × 8 mm and tip the scales at 219 g, striking a balance between a solid handfeel and manageable weight.

Consumers can choose from four finish options – Black, White, Purple, and Green – each finished in Xiaomi’s Dragon Crystal Glass 3 for added durability. The colour palette is presented in a simple list:

• Black
• White
• Purple
• Green

Beyond raw power, the series introduces a dual‑display setup exclusive to the Pro Max. A 2.9‑inch LTPO AMOLED side screen, running at a modest 20 Hz, delivers the same brightness ceiling as the main panel, making it a practical tool for notifications, quick app shortcuts or media playback without draining the main screen.

Display, battery, camera and software

The flagship’s primary screen stretches 6.9 inches, featuring a 1200 × 2608 pixel resolution, 120 Hz refresh rate and a remarkable 3500 nits peak brightness. With a 92.3 % screen‑to‑body ratio and 416 ppi density, visuals are crisp, and the 2160 Hz PWM dimming reduces eye strain. Dolby Vision, HDR Vivid and HDR10+ support ensure vibrant colour reproduction for streaming and gaming.

Charging speed is a headline act: 100 W PPS (USB Power Delivery) can refill the 6,300 mAh battery in the Pro variant in under 30 minutes, while the Pro Max benefits from the same ultra‑fast tech despite its larger screen. Xiaomi’s proprietary high‑energy‑density cells also promise longer lifespan and safer thermal performance.

Imaging hardware stays consistent across the line – a triple‑camera array of three 50 MP sensors on the rear and a 50 MP front shooter. The setup supports 8K video capture, optical image stabilization and AI‑enhanced low‑light modes, delivering sharp photos and smooth video calls.

All devices ship with Xiaomi Hyper OS 3, a skin built on Android 14 that introduces refined multitasking gestures, native privacy controls and seamless integration with Xiaomi’s ecosystem of wearables and smart home gadgets.

Product manager Jang Yu highlighted that the series pushes the envelope in display brilliance, charging velocity, and chipset performance, positioning Xiaomi as a serious contender in the premium smartphone arena. With these specs, the Xiaomi 17 lineup aims to set new expectations for what flagship phones can deliver.