I spent a week testing the Xiaomi 17, and it outmuscles the iPhone 17 and Galaxy S26 in several key areas

10 Apr 2026, 12:00 by https://www.techradar.com/uk/author/luke-baker · TechRadar

TechRadar Verdict

If you're looking for a compact flagship phone, the Xiaomi 17 is one of the best options around. It has a bigger battery, faster charging, and better camera specs than any of its mainstream rivals. Sure, it isn't a massive upgrade over the Xiaomi 15, and it doesn't come cheap, but it offers enough to remain competitive.

Pros

+Pocketable size
+Very powerful
+Great cameras
+Excellent battery life

Cons

-Very similar to the previous gen
-No charger in the box
-On the pricey side

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Xiaomi 17: Two-minute review

There are plenty of amazing flagship phones on the market, but these days, they all have pretty massive screens. If you prefer a smaller phone, but you don't want to compromise on specs, then your options are more limited.

Of course, the iPhone 17, Google Pixel 10, and Samsung Galaxy S26 fit the description, but what if you wanted to try something different? In that case, you might find yourself looking at the Xiaomi 17. It has a 6.3-inch screen, just like the other devices I mentioned, but the specs are much more appealing.

The Xiaomi 17 boasts the speedy Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor, a massive 6,330mAh battery, 100W charging and 50W wireless charging, and a triple 50MP camera array with Leica color tuning. On paper, it's the best of the bunch.

(Image credit: Future)

After testing the phone for a couple of weeks, I wasn't left disappointed. This is an all-rounder that doesn't fall short in any area. It's fast, the battery lasts well over a day, and it charges extremely quickly.

A solid display and speakers make for a great gaming experience, as does the thermal management. The cameras are easily among the best in their class, too.

My main complaints with the Xiaomi 17 are the lack of autofocus on the ultra-wide camera, which limits its utility, and the fact that it can't zoom as well as its Ultra sibling — but that's none too surprising.

In the past, the best Xiaomi phones have been seen as budget-friendly alternatives to the best iPhones and best Samsung phones, but that's no longer the case. The Xiaomi 17 is on the upper end of the price spectrum. It's certainly not cheap, but considering what's on offer, I think its price tag is justified.

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