You know how flip phones let you take selfies with the main camera using their little cover screens? It’s a pretty neat trick. Well, Xiaomi just dropped two new phones that can do the same thing, but here’s the twist – they don’t fold. The new Xiaomi 17 Pro and Pro Max both have a second screen on the back, and Xiaomi has some pretty clever ideas for how to use it.
First up is the Xiaomi 17 Pro. This is the smaller of the two, but it’s definitely the more powerful option compared to the standard model. A lot of that comes down to the 2.7-inch display on its back. It’s not just some tiny notification bar; it’s a real screen with a sharp resolution, a smooth 120Hz refresh rate, and it gets incredibly bright. So, what’s it for? Besides taking amazing selfies, you can use it to control your music, set timers, see who’s calling, or just glance at notifications. Xiaomi even showed off a cool retro case that turns it into a tiny gaming console.
The main screen on the front is just as impressive. It’s a 6.3-inch LTPO display that can go from 1Hz to 120Hz to save battery, and it also gets super bright. Xiaomi’s Dragon Crystal Glass protects the screen, adding a premium touch.
Inside, the Xiaomi 17 Pro is running on the brand-new Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip. It comes with either 12GB or 16GB of fast RAM and plenty of storage options. To keep it cool, there’s a big vapor chamber inside. What’s really surprising is the battery. For a phone this size, Xiaomi managed to squeeze in a huge 6,300mAh battery. It charges up incredibly fast with a 100W wired charger and also supports 50W wireless charging. It can even share power with other devices through reverse charging. Xiaomi says the battery will still hold at least 80% of its capacity after 2,000 charges, which is fantastic.
The back of the phone, besides that extra screen, has three cameras. The main one uses a big sensor called the Light Fusion 950L, which should be great for low-light photos. The lens is from Leica and has image stabilization. The telephoto camera is really interesting. It uses a new periscope design to get a 5x zoom, which is a big step up. You can even take macro shots from about 20cm away with it. The ultra-wide camera is there too, though its 102-degree view isn’t as wide as some others. The selfie camera on the front also got a nice upgrade to 50 megapixels.
Now, let’s take a look at the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max. This is the bigger, more powerful phone of the two. It has a giant 6.9-inch main display, which is similar in quality to the smaller Pro’s screen. The secondary screen on the back is also a bit larger at 2.9 inches. It’s way more useful than the tiny one Xiaomi put on the 11 Ultra a few years back.
The Pro Max uses the same speedy Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor and has a slightly larger cooling system. It also comes with 12GB or 16GB of RAM, but the storage options start at a higher 512GB. The battery in this thing is massive, a 7,500mAh cell. It’s basically a power bank you can make calls with. You still get blazing 100W wired charging along with 50W wireless.
The camera system is mostly the same as the smaller Pro, with the same main, ultra-wide, and selfie cameras. The main standout feature is the telephoto lens. The Pro Max uses a larger sensor and a lens that lets in more light, which should make for better zoom shots, especially when it gets dark. The only minor trade-off is that its tele-macro shots work from 30cm away instead of 20cm.
Both the Xiaomi 17 Pro and Pro Max come with IP68 dust and water protection. They’re actually tougher than that rating suggests. The small Pro can survive being 4 meters underwater, and the big Pro Max can go down to 6 meters.
The phones are available in China right now. The global launch details haven’t been announced yet, but here are the prices in China to give you an idea. Just remember that the final price in other countries will probably be a bit higher.
Xiaomi 17 Pro Series Pricing (China)
| Model | RAM/Storage | Price (CNY) | Price (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xiaomi 17 Pro | 12GB/256GB | CNY 5,000 | $700 |
| Xiaomi 17 Pro | 12GB/512GB | CNY 5,300 | $745 |
| Xiaomi 17 Pro | 16GB/512GB | CNY 5,600 | $785 |
| Xiaomi 17 Pro | 16GB/1TB | CNY 6,000 | $840 |
| Xiaomi 17 Pro Max | 12GB/512GB | CNY 6,000 | $840 |
| Xiaomi 17 Pro Max | 16GB/512GB | CNY 6,300 | $885 |
| Xiaomi 17 Pro Max | 16GB/1TB | CNY 7,000 | $980 |
Key Points:
- The Xiaomi 17 Pro starts at CNY 5,000 ($700) for the base 12GB/256GB model
- The Pro Max series begins at CNY 6,000 ($840) with no 256GB option available
- Top-tier configuration (Pro Max 16GB/1TB) reaches CNY 7,000 ($980)
- Currently available only in China with no official global pricing announced
- All models feature the latest Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor and secondary rear displays
The pricing shows a clear tier structure with the Pro Max commanding a premium for its larger 6.9-inch display and enhanced features over the standard Pro’s 6.3-inch screen.
Also Read: Xiaomi 17 Debuts as First Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 Phone with 7000mAh Battery
Source: GSMArena | Xiaomi 17-pro | Xiaomi 17 Pro Max
