Xiaomi is preparing to unveil its new flagship 17 series later this month. A recent video featuring the company’s president, Lu Weibang, has been circulating online, comparing the upcoming phone with the iPhone 17 Pro Max. The video’s appearance coincides with the recent launch of iPhone 17 sales, generating significant interest in the new device.
The purpose of the video was reportedly to clarify that Xiaomi’s design does not copy Apple’s camera island design. The president emphasized differences in design language. Despite this, the overall design of both phones shows striking similarities. Xiaomi has stated that the phone’s design was inspired by the Mi 11 Ultra from 2021. The company also clarified that skipping the 16 series was not done to align with Apple’s product cycles, even though a Pro Max version is planned.
Lu Weibang announced that the 17 series will be available in China before October 1. He also confirmed that these devices will be the first to feature Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 SoC, scheduled to be unveiled on September 23. Xiaomi reportedly secured an extended exclusivity period for the chip, suggesting competitors won’t launch similar devices before October. The Xiaomi 17 Pro is expected to be priced between CNY 5,000 and CNY 6,000 ($700 to $850), while the Pro Max is estimated to cost between CNY 6,000 and CNY 7,000 ($850 to $1,000). These prices are for the Chinese market and could be higher internationally.
The new smaller screen added to the rear of the phone can be used for music control, displaying information and countdowns. It can also act as a viewfinder, enhancing selfies by utilizing the rear cameras.