Xiaomi 17 Pro Max Review: Sometimes tech companies borrow from each other. But Xiaomi’s new flagship? They didn’t borrow; they barely changed a thing. The Xiaomi 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max feel like déjà vu from Cupertino, down to the camera plateau and even the “Pro Max” naming.
But here’s the twist: behind this almost shameless imitation lies some seriously interesting tech that makes you stop judging and start nodding in approval.
First Impressions: Déjà Vu or Design Genius?
When I first held the Xiaomi 17 Pro, my brain went, “Wait… is this an iPhone 17 Pro in disguise?” The edges, the camera layout, the clean back, everything screamed Apple.
But after a few minutes, I realized something: Xiaomi’s not just copying for clout. They’re strategically mimicking to steal attention, and it works.
The Naming Trick: Xiaomi 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max
Switching from “Xiaomi 16” to “17 Pro” and “17 Pro Max” wasn’t an accident. It’s a calculated marketing move. Launching in September, right next to Apple’s new releases, ensures you’ll see both names side by side on YouTube, Google, and TikTok.
Smart move? Definitely. Cheap trick? Maybe. But it’s effective.
Unboxing: What You Actually Get Inside
The Xiaomi 17 Pro’s packaging feels like a premium event. Inside the tall box, you get:
- A 100W fast charger (yes, in the box)
- A USB-C cable
- A hard shell case
- A SIM ejector tool and a few extras
Compare that to Apple’s minimalist “figure it out yourself” box, Xiaomi’s feels generous.
Design Language: Inspired or Imitated?
- The Familiar Camera Plateau: That rear camera layout? Straight-up iPhone 17 Pro clone, until you realize it’s not just glass and lenses. It’s a secondary display. More on that soon.
- Build Quality and Feel: Despite the copycat criticism, the phone feels premium. The aluminum frame, curved glass, and immaculate polish scream flagship. It’s surprisingly lighter than the iPhone 17 Pro Max, too.
Display and Dual-Screen Madness
- Front Display Quality: The front panel is a masterpiece, with 3000 nits peak brightness, 1–120Hz adaptive refresh rate, and perfect symmetry around the bezels. It’s easily one of the best-looking displays I’ve used.
- The Magical Back Display: Now, here’s the jaw-dropper. That “camera island” is a fully functional second display, not some low-res gimmick. It matches the front’s quality in brightness, refresh rate, and responsiveness. You can customize it endlessly, clocks, AI wallpapers, and even animated pets. It’s ridiculous in the best way.
Performance Powerhouse
- Snapdragon Elite Gen 5 Chipset: Under the hood, Xiaomi dropped the new Snapdragon Elite Gen 5, the same chip expected to dominate Androids in 2026. And it’s fast. Like, “blink and your app’s already open” fast.
- RAM, Storage, and Speed: The 17 Pro ships with 16GB of next-gen LPDDR6 RAM and the fastest UFS storage available. No lag, no hesitation. You can jump between editing a 4K video and running benchmarks without the phone flinching.
Battery Life: Bigger Than Big
- Silicon Carbon Battery Innovation: Here’s where Xiaomi flexes. The 17 Pro packs a 6,300 mAh cell, while the 17 Pro Max carries a monstrous 7,500 mAh battery. Both use silicon-carbon chemistry, meaning higher density without extra bulk.
- Real-World Endurance: Translation: these phones last forever. Even with heavy gaming, camera use, and dual-screen antics, I easily got through a day and a half. It’s like Xiaomi found the cheat code for endurance.
Software and Interface: iOS Vibes All Over
- Xiaomi’s Skin That Feels a Lot Like Apple: MIUI’s latest version feels oddly… familiar. Rounded icons, a control center swipe, even the transitions, all very iOS-esque. But it’s fluid, intuitive, and surprisingly satisfying to use. The haptic feedback, especially, is spot-on.
- The Subtle Tweaks That Make It Work: Underneath the Apple mimicry, Xiaomi added real flair, custom themes, AI wallpaper generation, and those insane dual-screen integrations that no iPhone offers.
Camera System Breakdown
- Rear Cameras: Three lenses, wide, ultra-wide, and telephoto, all tuned to deliver flagship-grade shots. Dynamic range is excellent, sharpness is top-tier, though skin tones lean a bit “beauty filter” by default.
- The Rear Screen Selfie Experience: This is where the second screen shines. You can take selfies using the main rear camera, meaning your “selfie camera” now has flagship optics. The results? Unreal depth, clarity, and color.
- Video and Portrait Performance: 8K selfie video, crisp stabilization, cinematic blur, all possible. Xiaomi might not have invented dual-screen selfies, but they’ve perfected them.
That Second Display: Gimmick or Genius?
- Personalization and Customization: You can turn the rear display into your own billboard, AI-generated wallpapers, animated pets, or even text art. It’s over-the-top, but in a fun way.
- Productivity Features: You can pin notes, timers, and reminders. You can even use it to show QR codes or tiny ads, like a pocket-sized marketing screen.
- Notifications and Music Controls: Swipe down, control your music, or check notifications discreetly. It’s elegant, though answering calls from the back still feels awkward.
Gaming on the Back Display
Xiaomi even made a mini gaming case that lets you play on the tiny rear screen. It’s adorable, responsive, and absolutely unnecessary, but I loved it anyway.
Heat Management and Real-World Performance
Even under pressure, the phone stays cool enough to handle extended gaming or video recording. The thermal design moves heat away from your fingers, keeping performance steady.
Xiaomi’s Big Gamble: Marketing or Vision?
This could’ve gone horribly wrong; copying Apple and adding a weird second screen sounds like a disaster waiting to happen. But Xiaomi’s pulled off something rare: turning imitation into innovation.
Either they’re playing 4D marketing chess or genuinely betting on dual-screen phones being the next big thing.
Also Read: HP Omen 16 Max Review – The CRAZIEST Gaming Laptop I’ve Ever Tested!
Good and Bad About Xiaomi 17 Pro Series
| Good | Bad |
|---|---|
| Incredible dual-screen innovation | Rear screen still underused |
| Massive silicon-carbon battery life | Slightly “inspired” design |
| Premium build and feel | Camera tuning Is inconsistent for skin tones |
| Flagship performance with Snapdragon Gen 5 | Gets warm under heavy load |
| Fast 100W charging (included) | Still MIUI — not everyone’s favorite |
| Excellent haptics and audio feedback | Rear call handling is awkward |
My Verdict: The Risky Copy That Might Just Work
Xiaomi’s 17 Pro series might look like an iPhone, but it feels like Xiaomi: bold, experimental, and ambitious. That second display might not change your life, but it’ll definitely make you smile every time you use it.
It’s not flawless, but it’s exciting. And in a sea of repetitive slabs, that alone makes it worth paying attention to.
Conclusion
Here’s what it boils down to: Xiaomi’s not just copying Apple, they’re competing head-on. And weirdly enough, they might be winning in the creativity department.
If you want a flagship that dares to be different (even while looking familiar), the Xiaomi 17 Pro or 17 Pro Max deserves a serious look.
FAQs
Q1. Does the Xiaomi 17 Pro come with a charger in the box?
Yes, a 100W fast charger is included. Xiaomi isn’t following Apple’s minimalism here.
Q2. Can the second screen be turned off?
Absolutely. You can toggle it off or customize when it wakes to save battery.
Q3. How’s the camera performance compared to other flagships?
It’s excellent, often rivaling top-tier flagships like the Galaxy S25 Ultra and iPhone 17 Pro.
Q4. Is the rear display durable?
Yes. It uses the same toughened glass as the front and even comes with a pre-applied protector.
Q5. Who should buy the Xiaomi 17 Pro?
Anyone who wants flagship power, insane battery life, and something that turns heads every time you flip it over.