Xiaomi 17 Pro vs iPhone: Second Screen Innovation Shakes Up the Flagship Market
In a surprise move that’s sending shockwaves through the tech community, Xiaomi has released its latest flagship trio—the Xiaomi 17, 17 Pro, and 17 Pro Max—in an apparent challenge to Apple’s iPhone 17 series. Launched on September 25, 2025, in Beijing, these phones aren’t just mimicking Apple’s naming scheme; they’re out to redefine what a flagship smartphone can do. The star of the show? A revolutionary “Magic Back Screen” that’s turning heads and setting social media ablaze. Here’s why Xiaomi’s latest release is the talk of the town.
A Second Screen That Redefines Smartphone Design
Xiaomi 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max both have an additional display built into the camera island at the rear, an homage to 2021’s revolutionary design by Mi 11 Ultra but elevated to a completely new level. Called the “Magic Back Screen,” this screen encircles the three-camera module, providing a stylish means of viewing notifications, glancing at the time, or even composing high-quality selfies with the rear 50-megapixel cameras. Unlike Apple’s iPhone 17 Pro, which introduced a redesigned camera plateau, Xiaomi’s approach maximizes utility by turning that space into a functional screen.
X fans are already going wild for it. One user described it as “a massive screen that fills nearly the entire camera compartment” and complimented Xiaomi for “making high-end slab phones enjoyable once more.” Another pointed out its offbeat possibilities, pointing out you can “frame selfies, monitor flights, or even play retro games with a special controller shell.”
Power-Packed Performance and Huge Batteries
Aside from the attention-grabbing second screen, the Xiaomi 17 series is a powerhouse beneath the surface. Using the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor, the phones deliver best-in-class performance, pitting themselves against Apple’s A19 Pro chip. The series features rich 1.5K or 2K LTPO OLED screens with a maximum 3,500-nit peak brightness, with the visuals looking gorgeous even in direct sunlight.
Battery performance is yet another aspect where Xiaomi swings its weight. The standard Xiaomi 17 packs a 7,000mAh battery, while the 17 Pro and Pro Max come with 6,300mAh and 7,500mAh batteries, respectively. With 100W wired and 50W wireless charging, Xiaomi’s CEO Lei Jun didn’t hold back during the launch, directly comparing the 17 series to the iPhone 17. In one cheeky demo, he slapped a 5,000mAh MagSafe battery onto an iPhone to show Xiaomi’s superior battery endurance.
A Camera System That Means Business
The Xiaomi 17 line doesn’t cut corners on photography either. With a Leica-tuned triple-camera setup, the 17 Pro and Pro Max have 50-megapixel main, ultrawide, and telephoto lenses, and the Pro Max has a tiny advantage when it comes to telephoto features. The secondary display also acts as a viewfinder, allowing users to take high-quality selfies using the main cameras—a capability Apple’s iPhone family doesn’t have.
HyperOS 3 and HyperIsland: A Software Giant
Installed with HyperOS 3, which is built upon Android 16, the Xiaomi 17 series comes with “HyperIsland,” a multitasking feature that’s reminiscent of Apple’s Dynamic Island but with a twist. X posts have pointed out its “not-subtle blur and iOS 26 vibes,” indicating Xiaomi is taking the best ideas and doing things their own way. It optimizes the main and secondary screens with effortless control over playing media, notifications, as well as car key functionalities through Ultra-Wideband (UWB) technology.
Pricing That Dips Below the Competition
Xiaomi’s aggressive pricing strategy makes the 17 series even more compelling. Starting at 4,499 Chinese Yuan ($630) for the base model and topping out at 5,999 Yuan ($842) for the 17 Pro Max with 16GB RAM and 1TB storage, these phones are significantly cheaper than their iPhone counterparts. Early reports suggest the 17 Pro could be up to 45% less expensive than the iPhone 17 Pro for similar storage configurations.
Beating Apple at Its Own Game
Xiaomi CEO Lei Jun did not mince words when the company launched the 17 series, constantly drawing comparisons with Apple’s newest iPhones. From battery to screen display and camera capabilities, Xiaomi is setting itself up as a head-on competitor in the high-end smartphone space. While Apple dominates with a 62% share of the $600+ segment globally, Xiaomi’s 55% growth in premium sales this year shows it’s ready to challenge the status quo, especially in its home market of China.
Why This Matters for Tech Enthusiasts
The Xiaomi 17 series isn’t just about specs—it’s about pushing boundaries. The secondary screen, massive batteries, and bold design choices make it a standout in a sea of predictable flagships. Whether a gamer playing on the “Retro Handheld Console Case” screen or a shutterbug taking selfies with the primary camera, Xiaomi has something new to provide. As a tech site described it, “Xiaomi is putting something different on the table, and people are paying attention.”
With pre-orders already active in China and a worldwide release soon to follow, the Xiaomi 17 series is ready to cause some waves. Will it knock the iPhone off its throne? That remains to be seen, but with its groundbreaking features and aggressively priced tagline, Xiaomi is definitely making Apple work for its money.
Read Also: Xiaomi 17 Pro 2025: Everything You Need to Know Before Buying
FAQ: Xiaomi 17 Pro vs iPhone 17 – Second Screen Innovation & Features
Q1. What is the “Magic Back Screen” on the Xiaomi 17 Pro series?
The Magic Back Screen is a secondary display integrated into the rear camera island. It shows notifications, the time, and allows high-quality selfies using the main 50MP cameras. It can also host mini-games with a special controller shell.
Q2. How does Xiaomi’s second screen compare to the iPhone 17’s design?
Unlike the iPhone 17’s redesigned camera plateau, Xiaomi’s secondary screen turns unused space into a functional display, providing more utility and creative possibilities.
Q3. What processors power the Xiaomi 17 series and how do they compare to iPhones?
The Xiaomi 17, 17 Pro, and 17 Pro Max are powered by Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, offering flagship-level performance that competes with Apple’s A19 Pro chip in speed, multitasking, and gaming.
Q4. What are the display specifications?
The 17 series features 1.5K or 2K LTPO OLED screens with peak brightness up to 3,500 nits, ensuring vibrant visuals even in bright sunlight.
Q5. How large are the batteries and what charging speeds are supported?
Xiaomi 17: 7,000mAh
Xiaomi 17 Pro: 6,300mAh
Xiaomi 17 Pro Max: 7,500mAh
They support 100W wired and 50W wireless charging, significantly outperforming iPhone battery endurance.
Q6. What camera features do the Xiaomi 17 Pro and Pro Max offer?
Both have a Leica-tuned 50MP triple-camera setup (main, ultrawide, telephoto). The Pro Max has enhanced telephoto capabilities. The secondary display acts as a viewfinder for superior selfies with the main cameras.
Q7. What software features make the Xiaomi 17 series unique?
The phones run HyperOS 3 (based on Android 16) and include HyperIsland, a multitasking feature similar to Apple’s Dynamic Island. It enhances main and secondary screen control for media, notifications, and car key functionalities via Ultra-Wideband (UWB).
Q8. How does Xiaomi’s pricing compare to the iPhone 17 series?
Base Xiaomi 17: 4,499 Yuan (~$630)
17 Pro Max with 16GB RAM & 1TB storage: 5,999 Yuan (~$842)
These prices are significantly lower than comparable iPhone models, making Xiaomi a compelling premium alternative.
Q9. Does Xiaomi 17 series challenge Apple’s market dominance?
Yes. With massive batteries, innovative second screens, Leica-tuned cameras, and aggressive pricing, Xiaomi is directly competing with Apple in the high-end segment, especially in China, where premium sales growth is 55%.
Q10. When will the Xiaomi 17 series be available globally?
Pre-orders are already active in China as of September 25, 2025. The worldwide launch is expected soon, though exact international dates may vary.
Q11. Who will benefit most from the Xiaomi 17 series features?
Tech enthusiasts, photographers, gamers, and users who enjoy innovative multitasking features will benefit. The secondary screen is particularly useful for selfie previews, pinned notifications, and mini-games.
