Emir BardakçıLeaked information has also recently emerged regarding the Xiaomi 17 Air prototype that was canceled in an attempt to compete in the very slim smartphone market. This particular prototype included a 6.59-inch screen and an astonishingly slim design that measured in at 5.5 mm thick. Although inspired by the designs of the competitors that were themselves expected to be very slim, Xiaomi canceled the production of the device in the internal testing phase.
Design and Technical Specifications
The leaked image reveals that the back cover is white and comes with a noticeable horizontal camera unit with the “MASTER” logo. This device was crafted to be portable without losing screen space. This device features a 200MP primary camera and an auxiliary lens. The e-SIM technology was also supported in this smartphone. This approach allows Xiaomi to explore new boundaries of technical possibilities before finally shifting to other lines of flagship products. This device would not have entered mass production but would have just remained as a test device at Xiaomi.
Based on the design implemented on this model, there seem to be some commonalities in the designs used in the early internal testing models of the MIX Fold 5 and the 15 series from Xiaomi. This is conclusive evidence that Xiaomi had a change in strategy in regards to the design language on the more premium lines of products. MASTER is the branding used on the back of the phone.
Key Specifications Table
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Model Name | Xiaomi 17 Air (Prototype) |
| Display Size | 6.59-inch |
| Body Thickness | 5.5 mm |
| Main Camera | 200 MP |
| Connectivity | e-SIM Support |
| Production Status | Cancelled (Internal Test Only) |
Why was the Xiaomi 17 Air canceled?
Although the hardware in the Xiaomi 17 Air was quite impressive, the phone never entered the mass production phase. Experts in the industry usually attribute the reason behind this to the quality control of the thin body of the smartphone, and this could have affected the company’s decision accordingly. Instead, the smartphone remained as an experiment within Xiaomi to analyze the usage of the materials and the design of the cameras in the phone.
