What the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max proves

The Xiaomi 17 Pro features a secondary screen on the back. Photo: Xiaomi .

Xiaomi has just revealed the first images of the Xiaomi 17 series, expected to launch in China at the end of September. Among them, the two high-end versions, the 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max, quickly became the focus thanks to their "magic rear display," a detail expected to differentiate them from current flagship models.

Not only is the new product line noteworthy for its secondary screen, but it also marks a deliberate leap in Xiaomi's naming strategy. The company decided to skip the 16 series and go straight to the 17 series, a move analysts see as a direct challenge to Apple, which had just introduced the iPhone 17 at the same time.

This change reflects Xiaomi's ambition to establish itself in the high-end segment, where competition is increasingly fierce.

At first glance, the design of the Xiaomi 17 Pro looks quite similar to the iPhone 17 Pro, with a rectangular camera module that occupies almost the entire back. However, the highlight lies in the secondary screen integrated directly into this module.

The short teaser shows that the screen can display various clock styles, supports selfie photography using the main camera, and provides app notifications or vivid graphic effects. This is considered a significant upgrade compared to the Mi 11 Ultra launched in 2021, which only had a small 1.1-inch AMOLED screen with rather limited functionality.

With the name "magic rear screen," Xiaomi seems to be hinting that this is not just an auxiliary feature, but a novel user experience. However, the company has not yet revealed the full capabilities of this technology. Observers believe that Xiaomi is still keeping some features secret to create a surprise at the official launch event.

This shows the trend in modern phones is towards more screens. The strategy of gradually stretching screen size to its limit forces manufacturers to create more display space. Multi-screen foldable smartphones have become very popular in recent years.

Besides the design, the hardware configuration is also making the new series noteworthy. The Xiaomi 17 series is likely to be the world's first smartphone to use Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip. This processor is expected to deliver superior performance and optimize AI processing capabilities.

Additionally, the standard version will have a 7,000 mAh battery, while the Pro Max could reach 7,500 mAh, significantly higher than the average for current flagships.

These changes clearly reflect Xiaomi's strategic direction of combining distinctive design with powerful hardware to elevate the brand. In a landscape where high-end phones are becoming increasingly similar, a useful secondary screen can be a major plus, offering both convenience and a novel user experience.