Xiaomi has officially announced that its next flagship phones—the Xiaomi 17, 17 Pro, and 17 Pro Max—will debut later this month in China. In a move that mirrors Apple’s naming convention, the company is skipping the number 16 altogether.
Rear Display Confirmed on Pro Max
The star of the lineup is shaping up to be the 17 Pro Max. Xiaomi briefly posted an image of the device on Weibo, showcasing a secondary screen on the back—a feature that had circulated in leaks for months. The post was quickly deleted, though not before confirming that the leaks were on point. Whether the removal was a slip-up or intentional marketing is anyone’s guess, but it has effectively fueled anticipation.
Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 Across the Board
Under the hood, all three models will run on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor, which was only recently confirmed after weeks of speculation. The standard 17 and the Pro edition are expected to be nearly identical in size, though the Pro should ship with an upgraded camera setup and possibly a sharper display.
The Pro Max, true to its name, is designed as a larger version of the Pro, with Xiaomi clearly following Apple’s “Max” formula by offering a device that stands out for both size and premium features.
Aiming Directly at Apple’s Territory
The company’s playbook is becoming increasingly clear. By skipping numbers, introducing a “Max” variant, and teasing design elements in Apple-like fashion, Xiaomi is positioning the 17 series as its boldest flagship lineup yet—one that directly competes with Cupertino’s iPhone strategy.
If successful, the 17 Pro Max could become the model that cements Xiaomi’s place not just as a fast follower, but as a genuine heavyweight in the global smartphone race.