Why Buy the Expensive iPhone 17? Xiaomi Stuns with Xiaomi 17 Series Launch

KARACHI: Chinese tech giant **Xiaomi** is set to launch its highly anticipated **Xiaomi 17 series** in China on **September 25**, featuring three models — **Xiaomi 17, 17 Pro, and 17 Pro Max**. The series follows last year’s popular Xiaomi 15 lineup and introduces Qualcomm’s latest **Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 SoC**, making Xiaomi the first brand to bring the powerful chip to market.

One of the standout features is the **Leica camera system**, with the Xiaomi 17 sporting a rectangular camera module in the top-left corner. Meanwhile, the Pro and Pro Max models introduce a unique **“Magic Back Screen”** — a small display integrated into the camera module. This secondary screen can be used as a **viewfinder**, enabling users to take selfies using the rear cameras.

Xiaomi President Lu Weibing showcased the **Xiaomi 17 Pro Max** alongside Apple’s newly released **iPhone 17 Pro Max** in a social media video. He dismissed claims of design copying, stating that inspiration came from Xiaomi’s own **Mi 11 Ultra (2021)** rather than Apple.

The new devices will run on **Xiaomi HyperOS 3**. Thanks to an exclusive deal with Qualcomm, no other company will release the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 before October, giving Xiaomi a competitive edge.

Battery capacity is another highlight: the **Xiaomi 17 packs a 7000 mAh battery**, the **17 Pro comes with 6300 mAh**, and the **17 Pro Max boasts a massive 7500 mAh**.

As for pricing, the **Xiaomi 17 Pro** is expected to cost between **\$700–\$850**, while the **17 Pro Max** could range from **\$850–\$1000**, making them significantly more affordable than Apple’s iPhone 17 lineup while offering cutting-edge features.

The official launch will take place in China on **September 25 at 7 PM local time**.