This year marks an important competition in the premium smartphone arena, featuring the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max and the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max. Both smartphones are designed to redefine what users expect in mobile technology, albeit with different focuses. Xiaomi emphasizes advanced hardware specifications and rapid charging capabilities, while Apple hones in on a refined ecosystem, enhanced camera systems, and integrated artificial intelligence (AI).
Xiaomi 17 Pro Max vs iPhone 17 Pro Max: A Comprehensive Overview
| Aspect | Xiaomi 17 Pro Max | iPhone 17 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Battery & Charging | Massive battery with fast charging | Good efficiency with solid optimizations |
| Display | Secondary display, high brightness | Mature tech with better pixel density |
| Camera & Video | Strong hardware specifications | Superior image processing and video workflow |
| Software | More openness with hardware features | Long software support and robust ecosystem |
| Storage Options | Up to 1 TB | Up to 2 TB |
| Performance | More headroom in specifications | Smoother performance over time |
Design and Display Features
Both flagship devices feature premium builds but with unique designs. The Xiaomi 17 Pro Max sports a 6.9-inch main display, accompanied by a 2.9-inch secondary LTPO AMOLED screen on the back, which is useful for notifications and selfies. This design is also protected by Dragon Crystal Glass 3.
On the other hand, the iPhone 17 Pro Max uses a familiar aluminum body and a Ceramic Shield front, coming in colors like Silver, Cosmic Orange, and Deep Blue. It features a 6.9-inch Super Retina XDR display integrated with ProMotion technology. Both screens are rated for a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate; however, Xiaomi’s panel boasts a higher peak brightness of 3500 nits, compared to the iPhone’s 3000 nits.
Performance and Hardware Differences
The Xiaomi 17 Pro Max is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, featuring a 3nm octa-core processor. Users can choose between 12GB or 16GB of RAM and up to 1TB of UFS 4.1 storage, but there is no expandable storage option.
In contrast, the iPhone 17 Pro Max is equipped with Apple’s custom A19 Pro chip, consisting of a 6-core CPU and 6-core GPU, along with a 16-core Neural Engine. It offers storage options ranging from 256GB to 2TB.
Camera Capabilities
Both smartphones excel in photographic performance with their advanced camera systems. The Xiaomi 17 Pro Max features a triple-camera setup co-engineered with Leica, including three 50MP sensors — wide, ultrawide, and periscope telephoto with 5x optical zoom. This model supports 8K video recording at 30fps.
The iPhone 17 Pro Max boasts a “Pro Fusion” camera system featuring three 48MP sensors. This setup includes an innovative tetraprism design that allows for an impressive 8x optical zoom. It excels in computational photography with features like Smart HDR 5 and ProRAW capabilities.
Battery and Charging Specifications
The Xiaomi 17 Pro Max is equipped with a substantial 7500 mAh battery, supporting 100W wired charging, 50W wireless charging, and 22.5W reverse wireless charging. On the other hand, while Apple does not disclose the battery capacity for the iPhone 17 Pro Max, it claims the device can offer up to 39 hours of video playback. Charging capabilities include 50% charge in about 20 minutes using a 40W adapter.
Software Features and Design
The Xiaomi device operates on Android 16 with Xiaomi’s HyperOS 3 skin. It includes unique features such as an infrared port and an under-display fingerprint sensor. The standout feature is its secondary display.
Conversely, the iPhone 17 Pro Max runs on iOS 26, incorporating a new “Liquid Glass” design with Apple Intelligence. This suite of AI tools enhances user experience and integrates perfectly with Apple’s ecosystem.
Pricing and Availability
The Xiaomi 17 Pro Max was launched on September 25, 2025, with the following pricing in China:
- 12GB RAM with 512GB storage: 5999 yuan (approximately $825 USD)
- 16GB RAM with 512GB storage: 6299 yuan
- 16GB RAM with 1TB storage: 6999 yuan
The iPhone 17 Pro Max followed Apple’s usual fall 2025 launch schedule in the U.S., with pricing set according to storage capacity:
- 256GB model: starting at $1199
- 512GB model: starting at $1399
- 1TB model: costing $1599
- 2TB model: priced at $1999
Both devices reflect their manufacturers’ distinctive approaches to smartphone technology. The Xiaomi 17 Pro Max emphasizes raw specifications, while the iPhone 17 Pro Max refines user experience through its software and ecosystem integration.
