Xiaomi 17: Small, lightweight, travel-friendly
The Xiaomi 17 continues to use a format that has become almost rare in the premium segment. At 6,3 inches, it remains pleasantly compact, sits lightly in the hand, and can even be easily operated with one hand. Compared to the Xiaomi 15 (here is our test) the casing has even shrunk slightly.
The weight remains virtually unchanged at around 191 grams, but it's distributed so well that the smartphone feels even lighter than it actually is. It doesn't pull on your pocket, doesn't get in the way during long runs, and almost disappears unnoticed in everyday life. However, you don't truly appreciate this during a brief hands-on session in an air-conditioned press room, but only after several weeks of travel.
My test device came in Venture Green, probably the most beautiful color in the series. Depending on the light, the green appears sometimes dark and elegant, sometimes almost tropically bright. Especially outdoors in the sun or under Bangkok's neon lights, the smartphone constantly changes its look. Add to that a cleanly finished aluminum frame and a matte glass back, which gives a high-quality impression and rarely attracts fingerprints.
Instead of a flimsy TPU case, Xiaomi includes a transparent hard plastic case, which seems sturdy but also looks a bit cheap. Thailand quickly revealed the downside of such a case. Fine sand tends to collect around the camera and leaves the first small scratches on the case after a few days. The smartphone itself, however, didn't seem to mind. Thanks to its IP68 certification, rain, humid air, boat trips, and plenty of sand were surprisingly unproblematic.
Then there are the small details you only notice in everyday use. Xiaomi has hidden the IR blaster directly in the camera module, keeping the top bezel clean. The ultrasonic fingerprint sensor is hidden behind the display and is among the best in the Android world. Even with slightly wet hands after a swim, a dip in the sea, or tropical heat, the Xiaomi 17 almost always unlocked instantly.
Xiaomi 17 Display: Made for Thailand
Bangkok can be a surprisingly tough test for smartphone displays. By day, the sun beats down on the streets, and by night, countless neon signs compete for attention. In between, there are boat trips, beaches, and spontaneous Google Maps sessions outdoors. The Xiaomi 17 felt perfectly at home in none of these situations.
With a peak brightness of up to 3.500 nits, the OLED panel is among the brightest displays currently available in a smartphone. The screen remains readable even when the sun is beating down mercilessly on the deck of a ferry to Koh Phi Phi. Where other displays begin to reflect light or visibly lose contrast, the Xiaomi 17 maintains its composure remarkably well.
The picture quality is also impressive. Colors appear vibrant without looking artificial, blacks are deep, as is typical for OLED displays, and HDR content benefits from Dolby Vision and HDR10+. The narrow, flat bezels further contribute to the Xiaomi 17's more modern appearance than its compact dimensions might suggest.
In addition, there's an adaptive refresh rate of 1 to 120 Hz, which works discreetly in the background and ensures that scrolling always feels smooth. A small detail that often proved useful in Thailand is "WetTouch." After a rain shower in Bangkok or with wet hands after a dip in the sea, the display responded just as well as with dry hands.
Xiaomi 17 Performance: It doesn't get much faster than this right now.
During the entire trip to Thailand, there wasn't a single moment when the Xiaomi 17 became a bottleneck. Google Maps navigated reliably through Bangkok's chaotic traffic, the camera launched without any noticeable delay, and even large photo libraries with thousands of images could be quickly browsed and edited. This is exactly how a modern flagship phone should feel.
Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5
Inside, the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, currently one of the most powerful smartphone chips available, powers the device. It's supported by 12 GB of LPDDR5X RAM and either 256 or 512 GB of fast UFS 4.1 storage. With this combination, apps launch virtually instantly, and multitasking is lag-free. Thanks to USB 3.2 Gen 1, even large photo and video collections can be quickly transferred to a computer.
What's particularly impressive is how much power Xiaomi has packed into this relatively small device. On long flights to and from Thailand, I even had to play some demanding games to pass the time. Genshin Impact, Call of Duty Mobile, and Diablo Immortal ran smoothly, even with high graphics settings, and without any noticeable frame drops. Anyone who wants to can easily use the Xiaomi 17 as a gaming smartphone, although the screen is smaller than on other flagship devices.
heat generation
However, this isn't possible without some compromises. Heat remains the natural enemy of any compact high-end smartphone, and the Xiaomi 17 is no exception.
This became very clear during a scooter ride on Koh Lanta. The smartphone was navigating via Google Maps in a wireless charging cradle, using mobile data, and running at high screen brightness in direct sunlight. After a few minutes, the device first deactivated wireless charging, and shortly afterward, a temperature warning appeared. It was still possible to use the device, but its thermal reserves were quickly depleted under these conditions.
This behavior did not occur when taking photos, videos, or playing games. While the casing did become noticeably warm, especially around the camera module, it never became uncomfortably hot. Only the combination of direct sunlight, navigation, mobile network usage, and inductive charging pushes the cooling system to its limits. Larger smartphones simply have a physical advantage here due to their additional space.
In Germany, this would likely only be relevant on truly hot summer days. However, in Thailand, with temperatures exceeding 38 degrees Celsius, it became clear that the Xiaomi 17's compact size comes at a price under extreme conditions.
connectivity
The Xiaomi 17 also excels in connectivity. The smartphone supports virtually all relevant mobile network standards and frequency bands worldwide, making it suitable for use both in Germany and while traveling. In Thailand, the local eSIM worked flawlessly right away and in many places even provided faster and more stable connections than are currently typical in Germany.
At the same time, the German SIM card remained active for banking apps, messaging services, and SMS TANs. This was complemented by modern standards such as Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6.0, ensuring uninterrupted connectivity throughout the entire trip.
Xiaomi 17 Software: HyperOS 3
HyperOS 3 is based on Android 16 and appears more polished than many Xiaomi interfaces of recent years. The days when MIUI stood out with countless menus, duplicate apps, and questionable design choices seem to be finally over. Xiaomi is now aligning itself more closely with the major platforms without completely abandoning its own identity.
In everyday use, HyperOS feels rather unfussy. The interface is responsive, animations are fluid, and even after several weeks of intensive use, there were no crashes or major software problems.
In many areas, it's clear that Xiaomi is striving to integrate its ecosystem more effectively. Integration with tablets, Windows PCs, and other Xiaomi devices now works better than it did a few years ago. Those who already own other Xiaomi products benefit the most. However, for everyone else, HyperOS remains usable as a standalone system without any barriers.
HyperOS isn't entirely free of Xiaomi's old habits, however. Alongside the Google Play Store, Xiaomi still includes its own Mi Store. This means two app stores exist side-by-side on the device, which occasionally leads to overlaps. Google's services and Xiaomi's own offerings sometimes blend together, making it not always immediately clear which platform is providing a particular app or recommendation.
In addition, there's a bit of pre-installed bloatware, which really wouldn't be necessary on a flagship phone in this price range. While most of the applications can be removed, they still leave a somewhat unnecessary aftertaste.
AI features
Of course, Xiaomi can no longer do without AI. HyperAI bundles numerous functions, including writing assistants, summaries, translations, image editing, and the now almost obligatory Gemini integration from Google.
I frequently used the AI translator integrated directly into HyperOS. Instead of having to open an additional app, spoken conversations and texts can be translated directly via the system functions. This works quite well, but it's not yet perfect. If you want to capture menus, signs, or other text with the camera, you still have to resort to solutions like Google Translate or Google Lens.
Update promise
Xiaomi lags somewhat behind other major players like Google and Samsung in terms of its update promise. They promise four major Android updates and six years of security updates. While this is significantly better than a few years ago and perfectly adequate for most users, it doesn't reach the seven years of software support that Google and Samsung now offer in their high-end devices.
Xiaomi 17 Camera: Built for exactly these kinds of trips
Thailand is a rewarding yet unforgiving testing ground for smartphone cameras. Sunrise on the beach in the morning, blazing sun over the sea at midday, shady temple complexes in the afternoon, and the neon lights of Bangkok in the evening. Hardly any other place offers so many different lighting and subject situations in such a short time.
That's precisely why the camera was one of the most exciting aspects of the Xiaomi 17 for me. During the trip, I took several thousand photos and videos, from street photography in Bangkok to landscape shots on Koh Phi Phi, as well as spontaneous snapshots at night markets or during boat trips along the Andaman Sea.
On paper, Xiaomi continues to rely on three 50 MP cameras with Leica support. Many smartphones often have one powerful main camera and two cameras that seem more like filler on the spec sheet. With the Xiaomi 17, however, I rarely felt the need to avoid a particular focal length.
There's another advantage that's difficult to quantify. Thanks to its compact design, I had the smartphone in my hand more often than many larger flagship models. It didn't disappear into my pocket and didn't need to be constantly and awkwardly stowed away. Many of my best photos weren't taken because I consciously intended to, but simply because the Xiaomi 17 happened to be readily available at that precise moment.
main camera
Xiaomi has opted for a 50 MP Light-Fusion 950 sensor in a 1/1,31-inch format. For a smartphone of this size, that's a remarkably large sensor area. The camera is supported by a bright f/1.67 aperture and optical image stabilization.
The first shots taken in Bangkok made it clear that Xiaomi has further refined the image processing compared to its predecessor. Photos appear sharp without looking artificially oversharpened. Fine details in temple facades, market stalls, or the city's countless power lines are preserved without the software aggressively trying to emphasize every single detail.
I was particularly impressed by the dynamic range. Thailand is full of extreme contrasts. At midday, dazzlingly bright facades alternate with almost black shadows within just a few meters. The Xiaomi 17 handles such situations remarkably well. Bright clouds rarely become overexposed, while dark areas of the image still retain sufficient detail.
Here are some photos taken during the day, both with a 23mm focal length (1x zoom) and a 46mm focal length (2x zoom):
Another typical Leica feature is the color rendition. Users can switch between Leica Vibrant and Leica Authentic. While Vibrant renders colors somewhat more intensely, Authentic quickly became my standard mode. This results in images with a pleasing naturalness, especially when shooting street photography in Bangkok or sunsets on Koh Lanta. The water remains turquoise, the neon lights stay vibrant, but never appear overdone.
At night, the main camera is among the best smartphone cameras I've used in this size class. The Xiaomi 17 keeps light sources well under control, effectively reduces image noise, and still preserves the atmosphere of a scene. Especially in Bangkok's night markets, the resulting photos looked remarkably close to what I actually saw, rather than an overly brightened HDR version of reality.
Here are some photos taken at dusk or at night:
It's also interesting how restrained Xiaomi has become with image processing. Previous Xiaomi generations occasionally tended to oversaturate colors or artificially brighten shadows. This happens much less frequently with the Xiaomi 17. The photos appear more mature, consistent, and closer to what you'd expect from the best camera systems on the market.
Telecamera
My most frequently used camera was the 50 MP Samsung JN5 telephoto camera with optical image stabilization and an equivalent focal length of 60 millimeters. While the main camera shows where you are, the telephoto camera, with its long, natural focal length, often tells the more interesting stories.
In Bangkok's markets, I was able to isolate individual vendors or details without having to hold my smartphone right up to people's faces. On Koh Lanta, I was able to take more natural portraits than with the main camera, and even in landscape shots, I used the telephoto lens more often than expected to isolate individual boats, rock formations, or palm trees from the scene.
The 60mm focal length creates a perspective closer to that of traditional cameras than the often wider-angle main camera of a smartphone. Faces appear more natural, backgrounds are compressed more pleasingly, and subjects automatically gain more presence.
A mix of shots taken with a telephoto camera at different focal lengths:
What's particularly impressive is how well the image quality harmonizes with the main camera. Colors, contrast, and dynamic range are virtually identical. Many smartphones offer a good main camera, but the secondary cameras noticeably change their characteristics. Thankfully, this isn't the case with the Xiaomi 17. Even when switching directly between the main and telephoto cameras, the overall look remains largely consistent.
Another strength is the floating lens design. It allows not only telephoto shots but also impressively good macro photos. During a walk through the tropical gardens of a resort on Koh Lanta, I took some of my favorite pictures of the trip. Flowers, insects, or small details of temple decorations can be photographed with a sharpness that, just a few years ago, one would have expected from a dedicated camera.
The telephoto camera also performs very well at night. Of course, it doesn't quite reach the quality of the main camera, which is hardly surprising given the smaller sensor area. However, for a compact flagship phone, its low-light performance is definitely top-notch. Even in the brightly lit streets of Bangkok or at night markets, many shots remained surprisingly detailed and usable.
Here are photos taken at night:
Ultra wide angle
On paper, the ultrawide camera initially reads as impressive as the other two cameras. In practice, however, it quickly becomes apparent that Xiaomi had to make the most compromises here. This doesn't mean the camera is bad, but the difference in quality compared to the excellent main and telephoto cameras becomes noticeable for the first time.
Where the main camera focuses on individual subjects, the ultra-wide-angle lens shows the entire scene. This often resulted in a more impressive image, especially in spectacular coastal areas or temple complexes.
Here's a comparison between the main camera and the ultra-wide-angle lens:
One positive aspect is that Xiaomi has very well adapted the color calibration to the other cameras. Switching between the main camera and the ultrawide-angle lens is usually seamless. Colors, contrast, and white balance remain consistent, giving the entire camera system a cohesive look.
However, the difference compared to the main camera becomes apparent in the details. When zooming in on the images, fine structures appear somewhat softer and less precise. This is hardly noticeable on the smartphone display, but becomes visible on a larger monitor.
The difference becomes even more apparent in challenging lighting conditions. While the main camera performs impressively well even at night, the ultrawide-angle lens loses detail and dynamic range. The shots remain perfectly usable, but don't reach the impressive quality of the other two cameras.
Here's the shot taken at night. Lights overexpose to the ultra-wide-angle camera more quickly:
It's also a shame that Xiaomi has omitted autofocus. This means the ultra-wide-angle camera isn't suitable for macro photography, which is instead handled by the telephoto camera. For a very ambitious camera system, this is a missed opportunity.
Front camera
Xiaomi has installed a new 50 MP front camera with autofocus. The sensor is the same as in the ultrawide-angle lens, namely an OmniVision OV50M, which performs particularly well in daylight. Skin tones appear natural, the image is sharp, and Xiaomi has largely avoided the excessive skin smoothing that Asian manufacturers used to frequently activate by default. While beauty filters are still available, they no longer constantly intrude upon the user.
Even in challenging lighting conditions, the front camera performs admirably. During a nighttime stroll through Bangkok's Chinatown, selfies were taken with more dynamism and detail than is typical of many front cameras. While it doesn't quite reach the level of the main camera, the quality is more than sufficient for social media, video calls, or quick snapshots.
Video quality is at least as important. The front camera records videos in up to 4K at 60 frames per second and even supports Dolby Vision. Anyone who regularly records stories, reels, or vlogs will find this to be one of the better selfie cameras of the current smartphone generation.
Video
The main camera records videos in up to 8K at 30 frames per second, but most users will stick to 4K. That's where the smartphone delivers its best results. Colors appear natural, the dynamic range is high, and the Leica-tuned camera ensures that videos don't immediately look like typical smartphone footage. For more ambitious videographers, Xiaomi also offers Log recording in 4K at up to 60 frames per second.
In changing lighting conditions, the Xiaomi 17 performs more smoothly than many other flagship smartphones. Even when switching between shady alleys and brightly lit streets, the exposure remained pleasantly stable.
The combination of optical and electronic stabilization also works reliably, without making videos appear unnaturally smoothed. Of course, the Xiaomi 17 doesn't replace an action camera, but it produced surprisingly steady footage while walking through Bangkok, at boat docks, or exploring narrow alleyways.
The audio recording also deserves praise. The four microphones clearly capture ambient noise and effectively reduce wind noise. Even on the often windy boat trips between the islands, voice recordings remained mostly intelligible.
As with the photos, the greatest strength lies in consistency. Xiaomi has done an excellent job of color matching between the main camera, telephoto camera, and ultrawide camera. This makes videos appear more homogeneous when switching focal lengths compared to many competitors. At night, the main camera remains the best choice, while the telephoto and ultrawide cameras lose some detail and dynamic range.
Other
Beyond pure image quality, the Xiaomi 17 offers a comprehensive toolkit for ambitious photographers. In addition to the physical focal lengths, additional virtual Leica focal lengths such as 28, 35, and 75 millimeters are available, opening up exciting perspectives, especially for street photography.
For those seeking more control, a full-fledged Pro mode offers manual settings for ISO, shutter speed, focus, and white balance. Photos can also be saved in RAW format, providing greater flexibility during post-processing. The Lightning Burst mode, which captures multiple shots in quick succession, also proved useful, increasing the chances of capturing the perfect moment.
Xiaomi 17 battery: More endurance than its size suggests
Despite its relatively small size, Xiaomi has fitted a 6.330 mAh silicon-carbon battery into the phone. I used the smartphone extensively in Thailand, so it needed to be plugged in by evening at the latest. Therefore, it's a good idea to carry a power bank on long days or to top it up briefly during the day. However, the battery level never became truly critical.
Those who use their smartphone less intensively should even get around a day and a half of battery life. Especially compared to... Xiaomi 15 (5240 mAh) the larger battery makes a noticeable difference in everyday use.
Charging is possible with up to 100 watts via cable and 50 watts wirelessly. While having breakfast at the hotel, taking a short break at a café, or packing for the next trip, the smartphone quickly gathers enough energy for many more hours of use.
In our test, the Xiaomi 17 took just under 40 minutes for a full charge. After about 15 minutes, it was already around 50 percent charged, and after half an hour it was usually over 80 percent.
