The Gadget Review: Xiaomi 17 Pro Deep Dive
Xiaomi just dropped a phone with TWO screens — but can the Xiaomi 17 Pro hold its own as a cutting-edge flagship in 2025, or is the rear display just a brilliant, pricey gimmick?
Design & Build: The Statement Piece
The Xiaomi 17 Pro design is a deliberate attention-grabber. Xiaomi has taken the familiar flat-edge, aluminum-and-glass flagship aesthetic and slapped a functional 2.7-inch AMOLED panel onto the back, integrating it right into the camera module. This Dynamic Back Display is a conversation starter and highly functional, serving as a viewfinder for the superior rear cameras, a quick notification hub, or a music controller.
The device measures 8.0 mm thick and weighs ~192 g. Considering the dual displays, the powerful cameras, and the 6,300 mAh battery, this is a perfectly acceptable mass. Critically, Xiaomi is claiming an IP69 rating, which is a step up from the common IP68, suggesting stronger protection against high-pressure water jets—a win for durability.
Display & Multimedia: Double the View, Double the Fun
The 6.30-inch LTPO AMOLED main screen is elite: 1.5K resolution, a smooth 1–120 Hz refresh rate, and a blinding 3,500 nits peak brightness for perfect outdoor viewing.
The star, however, is the secondary screen. It’s no low-res afterthought; it's a high-brightness, high-refresh-rate panel designed for utility. This display elevates the photography experience immensely, enabling content creators to use the best 50MP sensors for high-quality vlogs and selfies. Multimedia is further enhanced by expected stereo speakers with high-fidelity audio support, likely featuring Dolby Atmos tuning.
Performance & Software: Raw Power Meets AI
Under the hood is the new Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset, built on the efficient 3nm architecture. This guarantees leading-edge performance for any task thrown at it, from demanding mobile gaming to next-gen on-device AI workloads. The new architecture, paired with LPDDR5X RAM and UFS 4.1 storage, means speed and efficiency should rival (and potentially exceed) any other Android flagship of 2025.
The software is HyperOS 3, running on an Android 16 base. It's packed with new AI features, including the HyperIsland interface for contextual alerts. The software's ability to smoothly and reliably handle the rear display functions—from widgets to camera previews—will be the key measure of its long-term success and user trust. Early adopters should brace for a few teething bugs as Xiaomi refines this novel UI.
Camera System: Professional Leica Optics
The Xiaomi 17 Pro camera system is built to dominate. It features a triple-50MP setup, co-engineered with Leica for superior color science and image profiles.
- Main Sensor: 50MP Light Hunter 950L, large aperture, and OIS for stellar low-light shots.
- Periscope Zoom: A dedicated 50MP telephoto lens offers 5x optical zoom, ensuring genuine detail capture at a distance, not just digital cropping.
- Selfies: The rear display allows the 50MP main camera to function as the selfie camera, blowing past the quality of any standard front sensor.
This combination makes the Xiaomi 17 Pro an exceptional choice for mobile photographers, offering both unparalleled zoom flexibility and professional-grade selfies/vlogs.
Battery & Charging: Fast In, Long Enough Out
The 6,300 mAh battery is smaller than the 7,000 mAh cell in the standard Xiaomi 17, representing the Pro model's biggest trade-off for the camera hardware and secondary display. However, the 3nm efficiency of the Snapdragon chip should still deliver all-day usage for most users.
The charging story remains best-in-class: 100W wired HyperCharge will top the phone up in minutes (perfect for the corporate traveler needing a quick boost), and 50W wireless charging is among the fastest available. Reverse wireless charging is also supported.
Connectivity & Extras
The connectivity suite is fully future-proofed, including 5G, the latest Wi-Fi 7, and UWB (Ultra Wide Band). The inclusion of an IR blaster (a classic Xiaomi trait) is a useful, if niche, extra. The available gaming case that turns the phone into a handheld console using the rear display showcases Xiaomi's commitment to exploring the full potential of its unique design.
Brand Claims vs Reality
Xiaomi's claims hinge on the execution of the dual display and the new HyperOS 3. The Xiaomi 17 Pro looks like a world-beater, but its real-world success depends on the software polish. Can Xiaomi deliver the reliability and consistent user experience that makes the secondary display a genuine feature and not just a gimmick? Initial reports on thermal control under sustained load (e.g., 8K video recording or long gaming sessions) will be crucial for the Pro designation to hold true.
Comparisons & Alternatives
Vs base Xiaomi 17: the standard 17 gets larger battery (7,000 mAh) but lacks rear display, and may skip telephoto zoom.
Vs Pro Max: offers even larger rear display and battery (7,500 mAh) on the Pro Max version.
Vs other flagships 2024–25 (Samsung, Apple, Google): Xiaomi brings innovation at likely aggressive price — but must match polish, service, and ecosystem.
Alternatives depend on your priorities: camera (Pixel / iPhone), performance (latest Snapdragon phones), support (Samsung / Apple), etc.
FAQs
Q: Will the rear display always drain battery?
A: It’s configurable. If Xiaomi optimizes it well, standby drain should be minimal, but using it for active tasks will consume power.
Q: Does it support wireless charging & reverse wireless?
A: Yes — 50 W wireless charging is supported per spec listings. Reverse wireless not confirmed.
Q: Is it waterproof / durable?
A: Xiaomi claims IP69 rating, which is a high degree of water/dust protection.
Q: When will this arrive in India & at what price?
A: Xiaomi has confirmed an India launch intent, but timeline & localized specs are unknown. Price for the Chinese market gives a hint for India launches.