Xiaomi’s latest flagship brings a revolutionary dual-display design with the powerful Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor, massive 7500mAh battery, and Leica-powered cameras to challenge the premium segment.

By Muzamil Ahad – Founder of DoorDasherHelpCentral.com

Key Specs

What’s new vs Xiaomi 16 Pro?

• Revolutionary dual-display design — The addition of a 2.9-inch rear AMOLED display transforms how users interact with their phone, enabling selfies with the main camera, quick notifications, and even gaming without opening the main screen.

• Massive battery upgrade to 7500mAh — Moving from 6000mAh to 7500mAh represents a 25% increase in battery capacity, potentially delivering two full days of regular use on a single charge.

• Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor — The jump to Qualcomm’s latest 3nm chipset brings substantial improvements in both performance and power efficiency, with early benchmarks suggesting 30% better CPU performance.

• Enhanced Leica camera system with 5X periscope — The upgraded telephoto lens with a larger 1/2″ sensor and f/2.6 aperture significantly improves zoom photography, especially in challenging light conditions.

Rivals to consider

Real-World Performance & First Impressions

Display & Design

The Xiaomi 17 Pro Max features a stunning 6.9-inch 2K OLED display utilizing the latest M10 LTPO panel technology. With adaptive refresh rates ranging from 1Hz to 120Hz, the screen delivers buttery smooth scrolling while preserving battery life during static content viewing. The implementation of independent pixel array technology sets this display apart, achieving exceptional sharpness without the typical power penalty associated with 2K resolution screens.

What truly distinguishes this device is the 2.9-inch rear AMOLED display. This secondary screen operates at 120Hz and reaches the same impressive 3500 nits peak brightness as the main display. The rear display supports customizable watch faces, AI-generated wallpapers from photos, virtual pets including the new “Pangda” panda character, and real-time notifications for deliveries, flights, and ride-hailing services. Users can even pin QR codes or emojis to the back screen for quick access.

The build quality feels premium with Xiaomi Shield Glass 3.0 protection on the main display and IP68 certification for water and dust resistance. At 219 grams and 8mm thick, the device manages to feel substantial without being unwieldy, though the large 6.9-inch screen size means this phone requires two hands for comfortable operation.

Performance & Thermals

Powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset built on a cutting-edge 3nm process, the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max delivers flagship-level performance across all scenarios. The combination of up to 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM and UFS 4.1 storage ensures lightning-fast app launches and smooth multitasking. Gaming performance benefits from the Adreno 840 GPU, which handles demanding titles at maximum settings without breaking a sweat.

Thermal management appears robust based on initial reports from Chinese reviewers. The device employs an advanced vapor chamber cooling system that keeps temperatures in check even during extended gaming sessions. The L-shaped battery design not only maximizes capacity but also helps distribute heat more evenly across the device’s chassis.

Camera Quality (Photos & Video)

Xiaomi has partnered with Leica to deliver the Summilux imaging system on the 17 Pro Max. The main 50-megapixel sensor features a large f/1.67 aperture with a 1G+6P lens configuration and anti-glare coating. The Light Fusion 950L sensor measures 1/1.31 inches and incorporates next-generation LOFIC High Dynamic technology, achieving an impressive 16.5EV sensor dynamic range.

The standout upgrade comes in the form of the 5X periscope telephoto lens. With an expanded 1/2-inch sensor and f/2.6 aperture, this telephoto camera benefits from a new light-gathering prism structure that increases light intake by 30%. The system supports hardware-level HDR and delivers significantly improved low-light telephoto performance compared to previous generations. The 50-megapixel ultra-wide camera rounds out the versatile triple-camera setup.

Video capabilities extend to 8K recording on the rear cameras and 4K 60fps on the upgraded 50-megapixel front camera. The rear display enables a unique selfie experience, allowing users to compose shots using the main camera system with full access to Leica’s color science and advanced beautification algorithms.

Battery Life & Charging

The massive 7500mAh battery represents one of the largest capacities available in a flagship smartphone. Xiaomi achieves this through innovative L-shaped stacked battery technology with 16% high-silicon content for improved energy density. Early testing suggests the device easily delivers two days of moderate use or a full day of heavy usage including gaming and video streaming.

Charging speeds remain impressive despite the large battery capacity. The 100W wired charging can replenish the battery from empty to full in approximately 45 minutes. Wireless charging tops out at 50W, while the device also supports 22.5W reverse wireless charging for powering accessories or other devices. The inclusion of 100W PPS universal fast charging protocol ensures compatibility with a wide range of chargers.

Software & Updates

The Xiaomi 17 Pro Max ships with HyperOS 3, the company’s latest Android-based operating system. While Xiaomi hasn’t officially confirmed the specific Android version or update commitment for this model, the company typically provides 2-3 years of major OS updates for its flagship devices. HyperOS 3 brings improved animations, better memory management, and deeper integration with Xiaomi’s ecosystem of devices.

The software experience includes some unique features tailored to the dual-display design. Users can transform the device into “Handheld-Console Mode” by closing the main display and using the rear screen with a special Bluetooth-connected case for retro gaming. The interface generally feels smooth and responsive, though some users might find the presence of ads in certain system apps disappointing for a flagship-priced device.

Price & Availability

• Starting price: ₹74,990 (approximately) for the base 12GB/512GB variant • Availability: Currently on sale in China from September 27, 2025 • India launch: Expected announcement within 1-2 months based on previous launch patterns • Sales channels: Likely to be available via Flipkart, Amazon, and mi.com when it launches in India

The China pricing translates to approximately ₹74,990 for the base model, though official India pricing may vary due to import duties and taxes. The 16GB/512GB variant is expected around ₹78,400, while the top-tier 16GB/1TB model could reach ₹87,120.

Should You Upgrade?

From last year’s model: If you own the Xiaomi 16 Pro, the upgrade brings meaningful improvements including the innovative rear display, significantly larger battery, and enhanced camera system. However, unless you’re particularly excited about the dual-display functionality or need the battery life boost, you could comfortably skip this generation and wait for next year’s refinements.

From a 2-year-old phone: Users with phones from 2023 or earlier will experience a substantial leap in every aspect. The combination of the latest Snapdragon processor, massive battery, versatile Leica camera system, and unique dual-display design makes this an excellent time to upgrade, especially if your current device is showing its age in performance or battery life.

For budget-conscious buyers: At an expected ₹74,990 starting price, the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max sits firmly in premium territory. Consider the standard Xiaomi 17 or wait for festival season discounts if the Pro Max stretches your budget. Alternatively, last year’s Xiaomi 16 Pro offers excellent value at reduced prices while still delivering flagship performance.

FAQs

Does Xiaomi 17 Pro Max include a charger in the box? The China variant includes a 100W charger in the box. India availability of the charger will be confirmed at launch.

Is there an IP rating for water resistance? Yes, the device carries an IP68 rating, providing protection against dust and water submersion up to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes.

Does it support eSIM or microSD expansion? The phone supports dual nano-SIM slots but no eSIM functionality has been confirmed. There’s no microSD card slot for storage expansion.

What’s the purpose of the rear display? The 2.9-inch rear display enables selfies with the main camera, shows notifications, displays widgets, runs virtual pets, and can even function as a gaming screen with the phone closed.

Pros

• Innovative dual-display design offers unique functionality including main camera selfies and always-visible notifications • Massive 7500mAh battery with 100W fast charging delivers exceptional endurance • Top-tier performance from Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor handles any task effortlessly • Versatile Leica camera system with improved 5X periscope telephoto for superior zoom photography • Premium build quality with IP68 rating and Xiaomi Shield Glass 3.0 protection

Cons

• Large size and weight at 219g makes one-handed use challenging • High price point positions it against established flagships from Samsung and Apple • Software ads in some system apps feel out of place on a premium device • No confirmed India launch date means uncertain availability and potential grey market pricing

Verdict

The Xiaomi 17 Pro Max emerges as a bold statement in the ultra-premium smartphone segment, bringing genuine innovation through its dual-display design while matching competitors on core specifications. For tech enthusiasts and power users who value battery life and camera versatility, this device offers compelling advantages over conventional flagships. The rear display isn’t just a gimmick – it enables practical features that could change how you interact with your phone daily.

While the expected ₹74,990 price point puts it in direct competition with the Samsung Galaxy S25 series and iPhone 16 Pro, Xiaomi justifies the cost through superior battery capacity, innovative features, and top-tier specifications. If you’re seeking something different from the typical flagship experience and don’t mind the larger size, the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max represents one of 2025’s most interesting smartphone releases.