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BNN Summary
Xiaomi has globally unveiled its new 17T and 17T Pro smartphones, setting a robust standard in the upper-mid-range segment. These devices boast cutting-edge features including a 144Hz AMOLED display, an expansive 7000mAh silicon-carbon battery in the Pro model, and a versatile Leica-engineered 5x periscope telephoto camera, swiftly capturing market attention.
In-Depth Analysis
Xiaomi has officially launched its highly anticipated 17T Series, introducing the Xiaomi 17T and the more premium Xiaomi 17T Pro to global markets. Unveiled at an event in Vienna on May 28, 2026, the series represents what Xiaomi dubs the 'biggest T Series upgrade yet,' arriving earlier than previous iterations to make a significant impact on the competitive upper-mid-range smartphone landscape.
The Xiaomi 17T Pro, positioned as the 'Telephoto Master,' stands out with its formidable specifications. It features a large 6.83-inch 1.5K AMOLED display, offering a resolution of 2772x1280 pixels and an impressively smooth 144Hz refresh rate. This display technology goes beyond mere high resolution, providing a 12-bit color depth for 68 billion colors and covering 100% of the DCI-P3 color gamut. With a peak brightness of 3500 nits in Ultra High Brightness Mode (UHBM) at 25% APL, clarity is ensured even in bright outdoor conditions, while an ultra-dim 1-nit setting enhances comfort for night-time viewing. The screen also incorporates advanced eye-care technologies like DC dimming, Original color PRO, Pro HDR, Wet Touch Technology 2.0, and Xiaomi Vision Care, earning multiple TÜV Rheinland certifications for low blue light, flicker-free operation, circadian friendliness, and intelligent eye care. The display is further protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 7i.
Under the hood, the Xiaomi 17T Pro is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 9500 chipset, built on an efficient 3nm process. This powerful System-on-Chip (SoC) boasts a CPU configuration featuring one C1-Ultra core clocked up to 4.21GHz, three C1-Premium cores at up to 3.5GHz, and four C1-Pro cores at up to 2.7GHz, coupled with a Mali G1-Ultra GPU and a dedicated NPU 990 for AI tasks. Xiaomi claims a substantial performance increase over its predecessor, with a 32% boost in single-core CPU performance and a 33% faster GPU, ensuring a fluid and responsive user experience for demanding applications and gaming. The Pro model is equipped with 12GB of LPDDR5X RAM, operating at 9600Mbps, and offers UFS 4.1 storage options up to 1TB, providing ample space and rapid data access.
One of the most compelling features of the Xiaomi 17T Pro is its substantial 7000mAh silicon-carbon battery. This large capacity is designed to offer exceptional endurance, with Xiaomi quoting up to 1.88 days, or approximately 45 hours, of heavy use. To complement this massive battery, the device supports 100W wired HyperCharge, enabling rapid replenishment, and also includes 50W wireless HyperCharge and 22.5W wired reverse charging, allowing users to power up other compatible devices.
Photography is a major focus, with the Xiaomi 17T Pro's camera system co-engineered with Leica. The rear setup features a versatile triple-camera array. The main camera is a 50MP sensor with a Leica Summilux lens, f/1.67 aperture, and Optical Image Stabilization (OIS), utilizing a 1/1.31-inch Light Fusion 950 sensor with 2.4μm 4-in-1 Super Pixels for superior light capture and dynamic range. The highlight is a 50MP Leica 5x periscope telephoto lens, equivalent to 115mm, with an f/3.0 aperture and OIS. This telephoto lens offers 5x native optical zoom, 10x 'optical-grade' zoom through in-sensor zoom technology, and an impressive 120x AI Ultra Zoom for distant subjects. It also excels in telemacro photography, with a minimum focus distance of just 30cm. Completing the setup is a 12MP ultra-wide-angle camera with an f/2.2 aperture. For selfies, a 32MP in-display camera with an f/2.2 aperture is present. Video capabilities are robust, with the main camera supporting 8K video recording at 30fps and 4K at 120fps, along with 4K cinematic video at 60fps, HDR10+ recording, and Log video recording options. New software features like Leica Portrait, Master Portrait, Stage mode, and Leica Live Moment, which captures short video clips before and after a still photo, further enhance the photographic experience.
The design of the Xiaomi 17T Pro exudes a premium feel, featuring a high-strength aluminum frame, micro-curved edges, and a refined brushed finish. It carries an IP68 rating for splash, water, and dust resistance, adding to its durability. The phone weighs 219g and is available in elegant Deep Blue, Deep Violet, and Black finishes. Connectivity options are comprehensive, including Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6 with Dual-Bluetooth, and NFC. Out of the box, the Xiaomi 17T Pro runs on Android 16 with Xiaomi's HyperOS 3, which is noted for its fast and fluid user interface and integrated AI features.
For comparison, the standard Xiaomi 17T also brings significant upgrades. It features a slightly smaller 6.59-inch 1.5K AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate. Powering this model is the MediaTek Dimensity 8500-Ultra chipset. It includes a 6500mAh battery with 67W wired fast charging, though it lacks wireless charging capabilities found in the Pro model. The camera setup on the 17T is also impressive, featuring a 50MP Leica Summilux main camera (Light Fusion 800 sensor) and, notably, the same 50MP 5x periscope telephoto lens as the Pro model, alongside a 12MP ultrawide and 32MP front camera. The Xiaomi 17T starts at a price of £649 or €749, while the 17T Pro is priced starting from £799 or €899/€999 depending on configuration. Both models have quickly made their way onto trending charts, indicating strong initial consumer interest in Xiaomi's latest T-series offerings.
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