Xiaomi 17: Compact smartphone with Leica camera for Europe

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As in previous years, the world's second-largest Android manufacturer is using the Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona to present its top models for the global market. However, the most exciting models of the 17 Pro series with their rear display will remain exclusive to the Chinese market. Additionally, the manufacturer is reducing the battery capacity for the base model and the Ultra model, which is also coming to Europe.

Xiaomi 17: Compact smartphone with Leica

With the Xiaomi 17, the direct successor to the 2025 Xiaomi 15 is coming to Germany, among other countries. Xiaomi is skipping the ordinal number 16, according to its statements, to measure its devices directly against Apple's iPhone 17. Inspired by Apple's model, the Xiaomi 17 also features a 6.3-inch OLED display with a refresh rate of 1 to 120 Hz. The display has a resolution of 2656 × 1220 pixels and is very bright, with a peak of up to 3500 cd/m². According to Xiaomi, the device has a so-called “Wet Touch Technology,” which is supposed to allow the display to be operated even when wet. An ultrasonic fingerprint sensor is integrated under the screen.

As with the other 17 models, Xiaomi relies on cameras developed together with Leica: the rear features three sensors, each with 50 megapixels: a wide-angle, an ultra-wide-angle, and a telephoto zoom with five times optical zoom and macro function. The main camera with an f/1.67 aperture and optical image stabilization OIS uses a LightFusion-950 sensor. Xiaomi also uses this in the 17 Pro variants and the Poco F8 Ultra. The front camera also comes with a 50 MP sensor and autofocus.

Regarding the battery, Xiaomi has reduced the capacity compared to the Chinese model: instead of a 7000 mAh battery, the global model has “only” a 6330 mAh power source. While this is unfortunate, when comparing the nominal power to, for example, the Galaxy S26, which has a 4300 mAh battery, the battery is still impressive. The Xiaomi model should easily last over a day. When charging, it supports 100 W wired and 50 W wireless with the appropriate accessories. Xiaomi has not included a rear magnet for Qi2 charging, similar to Apple's MagSafe or Google's Pixelsnap.

For high computing power, Xiaomi relies on Qualcomm's current top chip Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for its “small” top model, which is used in most high-end smartphones such as the Galaxy S26 Ultra or OnePlus 15.

5 years of Android updates

The base model also features 12 GB DDR5X RAM and 256 GB of fast UFS 4.1 flash storage. As expected for a high-end device, it is protected against dust and water according to IP68 and supports Wi-Fi 7. Software-wise, HyperOS 3 based on Android 16 is pre-installed. According to the manufacturer, the smartphone will receive five years of Android updates and six years of security patches. This is already a good value for Xiaomi, even though Samsung and Google promise seven years.

Interesting: With an update to HyperOS 3.1, Xiaomi devices will reportedly better integrate with Apple's ecosystem in the future. Apple's AirPods should be pairable with the Xiaomi 17, similar to an iPhone. Additionally, the manufacturer offers a cross-device camera and an ecosystem-wide notes app. With an iPhone app, the screen of the Xiaomi smartphone can even be mirrored to an iPhone.

The Xiaomi 17 will be available in four color variants: Black, “Venture Green,” “Alpine Pink,” and “Ice Blue.” It is offered in two storage options: the model with 12 GB RAM + 256 GB costs 999.90 Euros, and the version with 12 GB RAM + 512 GB storage costs 1099.90 Euros.

Tablets, Wear OS Smartwatch, and Many E-Scooters

Beyond smartphones – in addition to the Xiaomi 17, the 17 Ultra and the Leica Leitzphone are also coming to Germany – the manufacturer has also announced two new tablets, a smartwatch with Wear OS, a tracker for Google's “Find My Device” and Apple's “Find My,” and a total of five e-scooters.

The Xiaomi Pad 8 and 8 Pro models each feature an 11.2-inch IPS display, a 9200 mAh battery, and Wi-Fi 7. Differences exist in the processor, cameras, and charging speeds. The Pro model has a Snapdragon 8 Elite, while the base tablet uses a Snapdragon 8s Gen 4. The Pro model charges at up to 76 W, while the base model charges at 45 W. Xiaomi is asking 499 Euros for the latter, and the Pro costs from 599 Euros.

The Wear OS smartwatch has a round 1.54-inch display, a stainless-steel case, and a 930 mAh battery that is said to deliver up to 6 days of battery life in power-saving mode. Google's Gemini is on board as the AI assistant. It supports gesture control, among other features, using EMG, IMU, and PPG sensors. It costs from 299.99 Euros.

The in-house tracker called Xiaomi Mi Tag is affordable: it costs 14.99 Euros individually and 49.99 Euros for a pack of four. The 10 g gadget is protected against dust and water according to IP67, and the battery is expected to last up to a year. Additionally, the manufacturer has introduced a 5000 mAh power bank that weighs only 98 g and is 6 mm thin. It can magnetically attach to the back of iPhones or the Pixel 10 and wirelessly charge them with up to 15 W. Price: 59.99 Euros or 64.99 Euros in orange.

The five different e-scooter models range from 799.99 Euros for the Ultra model to 329.99 Euros for the Model 6 Lite.

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