Chinese smartphone maker Xiaomi has long emphasized photography in its flagship Android phones, with versatile camera systems housed in large circular modules. The newly unveiled 17 series marks a significant leap—perhaps fittingly skipping “16”—with a fresh design that aligns with 2025 smartphone trends.
Xiaomi 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max: A Second Screen Revolution
Both the 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max feature a second screen on the back, capable of displaying the time, notifications, and even acting as a preview for selfies using the main camera. It can also run select games. While dual screens are familiar from foldable phones, Xiaomi has refined the concept into a polished candy-bar design. Although the second screen’s usefulness can be hit-or-miss, it adds a refreshing new twist.
At first glance, the 17 Pro Max is modern and sleek, with a flat display and a comfortable metal frame. Holding it felt comparable to the Google Pixel 10 Pro XL or even recent iPhones, which aligns with Xiaomi’s strategy to emulate top-tier flagship aesthetics.
Dynamic Back Display Features
Xiaomi’s Dynamic Back Display measures approximately 2.5 x 1.8 inches, integrating the camera lenses while offering five main functions:
Customizable Themes: Clock styles, step counters, animated wallpapers, custom art, and even cute animated pets that reflect phone status (e.g., battery low).
Notifications: Real-time updates for flights, rides, food deliveries, and music controls. Pull down to see full phone notifications.
AI Pin Functions: Pin schedules, QR codes, or reminders directly on the second screen.
Selfie Preview Tools: Use the back display to take high-quality selfies with the main camera, including full camera controls.
Handheld Console Mode: With a Retro Handheld Console Case (sold separately), the second screen can host mini-games, giving a nostalgic Game Boy-like experience.
While I couldn’t test all features on the Chinese model, the time, notifications, and customizable themes were highly functional. The selfie preview is especially valuable since the main camera vastly outperforms standard front cameras. The AI Pin feature is practical for keeping QR codes or reminders visible while using the phone normally.
Specifications and Performance
The 17 Pro Max is a powerhouse, powered by Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, with up to 16 GB RAM and 1 TB storage. Both models feature Xiaomi’s M10 display technology, offering sharp visuals, energy efficiency, and high brightness.
The battery setup is also impressive: a 7,500-mAh battery for the Pro Max and 6,300-mAh for the Pro, paired with an L-shaped design that mitigates any second-screen drain. Xiaomi employs silicon-carbon technology, providing dense batteries without increasing thickness.
Camera and Additional Features
The 17 Pro Max boasts a 50-megapixel triple camera setup, including a Prism Periscope Telephoto lens capable of 5x optical zoom and 30-cm macro shots. The regular 17 and 17 Pro have smaller 6.3-inch screens, with the regular 17 lacking the back display.
Connectivity and AI features are plentiful: Wi-Fi 7, seamless inter-device linking (including with Macs and iPads), and Hyper XiaoAi, Xiaomi’s AI assistant, which offers proactive suggestions and can even enhance back-screen functionality with contextual alerts.
The Back Display in Context
While secondary displays aren’t new—Xiaomi experimented with the Mi 11 Ultra in 2021, and phones like the Yotaphone and Nothing Phone 3 explored the concept—the 17 series integrates it cleverly into the camera bump. It offers utility without compromising design, making the second screen genuinely useful rather than a gimmick.
In practice, I found myself using the back display more than expected, particularly for quick notifications, selfie previews, and pinned information. Xiaomi has successfully taken a familiar idea and refined it into a practical and enjoyable feature.
FAQ: Xiaomi 17 Pro & 17 Pro Max
Q1. What is new about the Xiaomi 17 series design?
The 17 series introduces a fresh design for 2025, moving away from the traditional circular camera modules to a more modern rectangular layout and adding a second screen on the back.
Q2. What is the second screen on the Xiaomi 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max?
The second screen, called the Dynamic Back Display, measures about 2.5 x 1.8 inches and can display time, notifications, serve as a selfie preview, and run mini-games with a Retro Handheld Console Case.
Q3. What are the main functions of the Dynamic Back Display?
Customizable Themes: Clock styles, step counters, animated wallpapers, or animated pets.
Notifications: Real-time updates for rides, deliveries, flights, and music controls.
AI Pin Functions: Pin schedules, QR codes, or reminders.
Selfie Preview Tools: Use the main camera for high-quality selfies.
Handheld Console Mode: Play mini-games using a compatible case.
Q4. How does the second screen improve selfies?
It acts as a preview screen for the main camera, allowing users to take superior selfies compared to using the front-facing camera.
Q5. What are the key specifications of the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max?
Processor: Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5
RAM & Storage: Up to 16 GB RAM and 1 TB storage
Display: M10 technology, sharp, energy-efficient, bright
Battery: 7,500-mAh (Pro Max) / 6,300-mAh (Pro) with L-shaped design
Q6. What camera features does the 17 Pro Max offer?
It has a 50-megapixel triple camera system, including a Prism Periscope Telephoto lens capable of 5x optical zoom and 30-cm macro shots.
Q7. What AI and connectivity features are included?
Wi-Fi 7 and seamless inter-device linking (including Macs and iPads)
Hyper XiaoAi AI assistant provides proactive suggestions and enhances second-screen functionality with contextual alerts
Q8. How does the second screen compare to other phones?
While secondary displays have appeared on devices like Mi 11 Ultra, Yotaphone, and Nothing Phone 3, Xiaomi’s integration into the camera bump makes it practical, functional, and visually appealing rather than a gimmick.
Q9. Does the second screen affect battery life?
No. Xiaomi’s L-shaped battery design and silicon-carbon technology ensure that the second screen has minimal impact, allowing both models to last up to two days on a single charge.
Q10. Are both the 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max identical in features?
The 17 Pro Max has a larger back display, a slightly more advanced telephoto lens, and a bigger battery. The regular Xiaomi 17 does not have the back display and has a smaller 6.3-inch screen.
Q11. Can the second screen display third-party app notifications?
Yes, but currently it works best with select apps, mainly in the Chinese version. Music controls, deliveries, ride updates, and flight notifications are supported, and Xiaomi plans to expand compatibility in future updates.
Q12. What makes the AI Pin feature useful?
The AI Pin lets you pin items like QR codes, schedules, or reminders on the back display. For example, while queuing at a store, you can leave the QR code visible and continue reading or messaging on the main screen.
Q13. Can I play games on the second screen?
Yes, with the Retro Handheld Console Case (sold separately), you can play a small selection of mini-games. The case adds physical buttons, creating a nostalgic handheld console experience, although the small screen limits extensive gameplay.
Q14. How does the Dynamic Back Display improve user experience?
It allows quick access to time, notifications, and pinned items, reduces the need to constantly pick up the phone, and provides a selfie preview for higher-quality photos with the main camera.
Q15. How durable is the back display?
The second screen is integrated into the camera bump area with a polished design. While durable, it may still be prone to scratches if not used with a case. Xiaomi recommends using protective covers, especially the retro console case for gaming.
Q16. Does the Xiaomi 17 Pro support fast charging?
Yes, both the 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max support high-speed charging, ensuring that large batteries can be refilled quickly despite the increased power requirements of dual-screen functionality.
Q17. How does the 17 Pro Max compare to its predecessor, the Mi 11 Ultra?
The 17 Pro Max refines the dual-screen concept from the Mi 11 Ultra, integrating it more seamlessly into the camera bump, offering more practical features like AI Pin, real-time notifications, and selfie previews, and boosting battery capacity and processor performance.
Q18. How does the 17 series handle performance-intensive tasks?
Powered by Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, up to 16 GB RAM, and 1 TB storage, both phones handle gaming, AI tasks, multitasking, and high-resolution video processing smoothly without lag.
Q19. Are there differences in screen size and display technology?
Yes. The 17 Pro Max has a larger main display with M10 technology, offering sharper visuals and better brightness, while the regular 17 Pro has a smaller 6.3-inch screen. Both are energy-efficient and responsive.
Q20. Is the back display customizable?
Absolutely. Users can choose clock styles, animated wallpapers, custom artwork, step counters, and even interactive pets that react to battery level or phone status, adding personality to the device.
Q21. How is the 17 Pro Max battery optimized for dual-screen usage?
The L-shaped battery design combined with silicon-carbon battery technology ensures minimal drain from the second screen, allowing up to two days of usage even with extensive notifications and pin features active.
Q22. Can international users expect the same features?
The current review is based on the Chinese model. International or global versions may vary in app compatibility, back-screen functionality, and availability of gaming features.
Q23. What makes Xiaomi 17 Pro series stand out among 2025 smartphones?
Innovative Dynamic Back Display
Powerful Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor
High-capacity batteries with efficient design
Advanced 50 MP triple camera system with periscope telephoto
Seamless AI and inter-device connectivity
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