Xiaomi 17 Pro Max Review: The Android Phone That Feels Like an iPhone
The Xiaomi 17 Pro Max has stirred excitement as one of the flagship Android phones of 2025, creating buzz by closely resembling an iPhone 17 Pro Max in design while adding unique features and offering high-end specifications at a less premium price point.
Design and Build Quality
The Xiaomi 17 Pro Max showcases a premium build with an aluminum frame and a glass back. It offers a flat 6.9-inch LTPO AMOLED display with 1.5K resolution and a refresh rate that can adapt from 1Hz to 120Hz for smoothness and battery efficiency. Weighing around 215-223 grams, the phone feels solid and slightly bulkier than previous Xiaomi models, but with a highly premium and comfortable grip. Interestingly, it has a distinctive secondary rear display of 2.9 inches, which is useful for notifications, camera previews, and even gaming widgets. The phone has an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance, adding toughness to its elegant style.
Unique Secondary Display
One standout feature is this vibrant rear display, which is functional for quick access to notifications and camera use — especially taking high-resolution selfies with the main rear cameras. This secondary display adds a playful and practical novelty uncommon among smartphones.
Camera Capabilities
The Xiaomi 17 Pro Max is equipped with quad 50-megapixel Leica cameras, including a 5x periscope telephoto lens with a large 1/2-inch sensor for impressive zoom and image quality. The large sensor allows for excellent bokeh and detailed photos with natural color tones. Video recording supports stunning 8K at 30fps and 4K at 60fps for front and rear cameras. The device also boasts hybrid stabilization for smoother videography and dual portrait modes: Leica portrait and master portrait features for enhanced photos. Image processing leans slightly towards a softer, beautified skin tone, especially for selfies, while other colors and details remain natural and vivid.
Performance and Software
Powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip paired with 16GB LPDDR5X RAM and UFS 4.1 storage, the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max delivers butter-smooth performance across daily use, gaming, and multitasking. The phone runs on Xiaomi’s HyperOS 3, providing a polished, clean, and intuitive user interface. Gaming fans will appreciate the Snapdragon’s capability to maintain 60-120fps in intensive games, although the device can throttle under heavy load to manage heat.
Battery Life and Charging
The massive 7500mAh battery ensures long usage hours, which is a significant advantage over many competitors. Charging is fast with 100W wired and 50W wireless charging support, allowing rapid top-ups. This robust battery size combined with efficient hardware makes the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max ideal for heavy users.
Pricing and Availability
While aggressively priced at around 5900 Chinese yuan (~75,000 INR) in China, the phone’s Indian variant is expected to be priced higher, possibly reaching 90,000 to 100,000 INR. Though pricier than some rivals, its features justify the cost for enthusiasts seeking flagship-level specs with added flair.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max is an impressive flagship Android phone that borrows design cues from the iPhone 17 Pro Max while innovating with the secondary rear display, superior camera technology, and a huge battery. It’s a device for users who want Apple-level aesthetics and premium feel but prefer the Android ecosystem with cutting-edge features and excellent value.
Xiaomi has truly delivered a phone that "killed it" in design, camera, display, and performance, marking it as one of the most exciting Android flagships of the year.