So, I’ve been living with Xiaomi’s new 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max, and wow — this is one of the strangest flagship launches I’ve seen in years. Sometimes companies “borrow” from Apple or Samsung, but Xiaomi has taken it to a whole new level here.
From the name changes (17, Pro, Pro Max), to the launch timing (September, right before iPhones), to the camera plateau design that screams Cupertino, Xiaomi isn’t even hiding the inspiration. Heck, even the UI icons and Control Center look like iOS. At this point, I wouldn’t be surprised if their CEO suddenly started going by “Tim.”
And yet — here’s the twist. Despite the Apple cosplay, this doesn’t feel like a knockoff. In fact, the Xiaomi 17 Pro lineup might just be one of the boldest smartphones of 2025.
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What’s in the Box?
Xiaomi still ships a 100W charger, USB-C cable, and a hard case right in the box. No nickel-and-diming here. Compare that to Apple’s “bring your own charger” approach — refreshing, right?
Battery That Breaks the Rules
Let’s talk numbers:
- Xiaomi 17 Pro: 6,300 mAh
- Xiaomi 17 Pro Max: 7,500 mAh
That’s 25–50% bigger than the iPhone 17 Pro Max or Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Ultra. And because it’s using a silicon-carbon battery, it’s not heavier or thicker. In fact, it feels lighter than the iPhone. Endurance is ridiculous — it’s like being a kid again in a candy store with $50 to spend. You don’t even think about limits.
Performance That Doesn’t Quit
Xiaomi didn’t sacrifice power to make this happen. Both phones ship with:
- Snapdragon Elite Gen 5 (next year’s flagship chip, already here)
- 16GB of lightning-fast RAM
- The fastest storage you’ll find in a phone right now
Benchmarks put it ahead of this year’s Android kings like the Galaxy S25 Ultra. Yes, it gets hot, but not in a way that throttles performance. It’s controlled chaos.
The Star of the Show: The Second Screen
This isn’t a gimmick tacked onto the back. Xiaomi’s rear display has the exact same quality as the front one:
- 3,000 nits brightness
- 1–120Hz refresh rate
- Same glass, same responsiveness
And yes, Xiaomi even put a screen protector on both sides of the phone.
What Can You Do With It?
- Customization: Clocks, pets, widgets, or AI-generated animations from your own photos. It’s over-the-top, but that’s the point.
- Quick Tools: Control music, pin reminders, show a QR code, or flash notifications without flipping the phone.
- Cameras: This is where it really shines. You can use Xiaomi’s killer triple-camera setup for selfies and vlogging. We’re talking 8K selfie video, full zoom, ultrawide, portrait mode — everything. It makes every other “selfie camera” look ancient.
There’s even a gaming case that turns the back screen into a mini handheld console. It works shockingly well… but let’s be honest, nobody’s grinding Genshin Impact on a 3-inch display. It’s more of a viral TikTok flex than a practical feature.
Cameras Worth Talking About
The rear cameras are seriously good:
- Detail that rivals or surpasses the iPhone 17 Pro Max.
- Incredible dynamic range.
- A zoom system that sometimes leans on AI but still delivers.
The ultrawide is the weak link, especially in low light. And there’s some aggressive skin-tone tuning that clearly favors the Chinese market. Still, when you realize these same cameras can be used for selfies thanks to the back screen, it changes the whole equation.
So, Gimmick or Genius?
I came in ready to roll my eyes at Xiaomi’s Apple cosplay. But here’s the thing: the fundamentals are so good — the batteries, the performance, the cameras — that the second screen doesn’t feel like a cheap gimmick.
Is it essential? Not yet. Some features feel half-baked, others are pure headline grabs. But it’s bold, different, and memorable. And in a smartphone market where most flagships blur together, that matters.
Final Verdict
The Xiaomi 17 Pro and Pro Max are flagships with personality. They borrow Apple’s homework but turn it in with a wild extra page that the teacher didn’t see coming.
The second screen might not be the future of smartphones — but it makes this phone unforgettable. And in 2025, that’s a win.
⚡ My take: Xiaomi didn’t just build an iPhone clone. They built an iPhone clone… that might actually be more fun than the iPhone.
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