Last year, the Xiaomi 15T Pro overwhelmingly surpassed the standard 15T in our polls. With the arrival of the 17T generation, will history repeat itself? There is a strong possibility that it won't. The new base model introduces some significant upgrades that could enhance its appeal, but it also faces some drawbacks.
The most pressing issue seems to be the pricing: the Xiaomi 17T is priced at €750, while the 17T Pro starts at €900 for the 12/256GB variants. This marks a €100 increase compared to the previous 15T models. While we understand that rising costs are a reality, particularly for high-performance RAM and storage, the T-series should ideally remain a sub-flagship line. This latest pricing is nudging closer to the €1,000 mark.
Xiaomi 17T
On the other hand, the Xiaomi 17T Pro comes close to flagship status with a Dimensity 9500 chipset, a 1/1.31” sensor for its main camera, a 50MP 5x/115mm periscope lens, and an impressive 7,000mAh battery offering rapid 100W wired and 50W wireless charging capabilities. Nevertheless, it lacks the even more advanced Xiaomi 17 Max and 17 Pro Max, which are not available outside of China. As a result, in many regions, the 17T Pro stands as the most affordable large Xiaomi flagship, sitting below the 17 Ultra.
Xiaomi 17T Pro
The base 17T, in contrast, features the Dimensity 8500 chipset, a smaller 1/1.55” sensor for its main camera, and a 6,500mAh battery with only 67W wired charging capabilities. This generation also comes with a smaller display at 6.59”, compared to the 6.83” on the 15T. A significant upgrade is seen in the telephoto camera, where the old 50MP 2x/46mm setup has been replaced with the same 50MP 5x/115mm periscope lens found on the 17T Pro.
The smaller screen could be considered an improvement, as many users have expressed concerns over modern phones becoming excessively large, though opinions will vary. However, having the same periscope lens as the Pro model is undoubtedly a positive development.
Xiaomi 17T and 17T Pro at a glance
For context, both the 15T and 15T Pro featured 6.83” displays and 5,500mAh batteries. They were also slimmer, measuring 7.5mm and 8.0mm, compared to 8.2mm and 8.3mm for the 17T and 17T Pro, respectively.
Xiaomi 17T and 17T Pro color options
If you need assistance with your choice, take a look at our reviews for the Xiaomi 17T and Xiaomi 17T Pro (available in video format as well).
What are your thoughts on the Xiaomi 17T? Do you believe this new direction for the vanilla model is an upgrade? Will you consider the 17T for your next smartphone purchase?
And what about the Xiaomi 17T Pro? It feels akin to the 15T Pro but with a faster chipset and bigger battery, which is a favorable change, right? Although it is priced higher than its predecessor, the same goes for the 17T.
