Emir Bardakçıiaomi isn’t content to play second fiddle in the smartphone industry. By leapfrogging from the 15 series directly to the 17, the company is telegraphing its ambition to go head-to-head with Apple’s flagship lineup. The results? Substantial, with pre-order numbers reportedly doubling those of the previous model. Interest in the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max is intense—early reactions position it as the company’s most technologically advanced release to date. Customers and industry watchers alike are eager, and the conversation is now focused squarely on how the 17 Pro Max compares not only to its predecessor, but to Apple’s newest offerings.
Innovation-Driven Design: Magic Back Screen Ushers in a New Era
During a recent Weibo livestream, Xiaomi CEO Lu Weibing made one thing clear: Xiaomi intends to set itself apart, not just follow. He directly compared the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max with Apple’s iPhone 17 Pro Max, spotlighting strategic design choices. The new Magic Back Screen—a secondary display integrated near the camera array—represents a significant step forward from the rear display first seen on the Mi 11 Ultra. The added functionality extends beyond aesthetics, giving users the ability to leverage the main camera for higher-quality selfies, scan notifications at a glance, and use widgets—without activating the main screen.
Pushing this innovation into production didn’t come cheap; over a billion yuan (about $130 million USD) went into R&D just for this feature. Internal engineering breakthroughs, such as an L-shaped battery to optimize space, allowed Xiaomi to deliver a truly distinctive device. The result: a flagship phone with a compelling combination of design and functionality that further underlines the company’s commitment to market leadership.
