Xiaomi 17 series to debut with Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, taking aim at Apple’s iPhone 17
The confirmation puts Xiaomi squarely in the spotlight as it prepares to go head-to-head with Apple’s much-anticipated iPhone 17 range.
Xiaomi has officially confirmed that its upcoming flagship lineup, the Xiaomi 17 series, will be among the first smartphones to feature Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor.
The announcement was made on Weibo by Xiaomi President Lu Weibing, who revealed that the series will include three models: the Xiaomi 17, Xiaomi 17 Pro, and Xiaomi 17 Pro Max.
More To Read
- How much screen time is safe for children?
- Nearly half of Kenyan mobile users targeted by scams - World Bank
- 11 per cent of Kenyans use mobile phones they do not own - survey
- Top camera buying tips for beginners: What you need to know before your first purchase
- Over one-third of Kenyans spend over six hours daily on social media, GeoPoll survey finds
- Study links early smartphone use to severe mental health outcomes in young adults
The confirmation puts Xiaomi squarely in the spotlight as it prepares to go head-to-head with Apple’s much-anticipated iPhone 17 range.
Qualcomm’s new chipset is expected to bring major improvements in performance, energy efficiency, and AI capabilities—areas where Apple’s in-house silicon has long enjoyed a competitive edge.
Key features and leaks
Early leaks suggest the Xiaomi 17 series will feature bold hardware upgrades designed to set it apart:
Displays: The Pro models are tipped to feature a “magic back screen”—a secondary display integrated into the rear camera island—alongside a 6.3-inch LTPO OLED front display with a 120Hz refresh rate.
The rear camera island reportedly spans almost the entire width of the device. Unlike Apple’s iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max, this space is not just for the rear cameras but also houses the second display.
Cameras: All models are expected to feature a triple 50MP camera setup, with the Pro Max rumoured to add a periscope telephoto lens for advanced zoom capabilities.
Battery and Charging: Battery capacities may reach up to 7,000mAh, supported by 100W wired and 50W wireless fast charging.
Durability: The devices are expected to offer IP68 and possibly IP69 certifications for dust and water resistance, along with an ultrasonic in-display fingerprint sensor.
Software: All three models will likely ship with HyperOS 3, based on Android 16, optimised to harness Qualcomm’s new AI and performance features.
Rivalry with Apple
Xiaomi’s strategy seems aimed directly at Apple, which has traditionally focused on ecosystem strength and seamless integration rather than raw hardware specifications.
By pushing boundaries in battery life, charging speed, camera hardware, and feature innovation, Xiaomi is hoping to attract users who value greater hardware performance for their money.
That said, Apple continues to hold strong advantages in long-term software support, ecosystem services, and brand loyalty. Analysts believe Xiaomi’s biggest challenge will be whether it can deliver software polish and ecosystem integration to rival Apple, all while undercutting it on hardware.
The Xiaomi 17 series is expected to debut later this year, with global availability following in early 2026.
Pricing has yet to be announced, but if Xiaomi maintains its tradition of aggressive value positioning, the lineup could become one of the most formidable Android challengers to both Apple’s iPhone 17 series and Samsung’s flagship range.
Top Stories Today
