Xiaomi is pushing the T series into a more camera-focused direction, and the clearest sign is on the regular Xiaomi 17T. For the first time, the base model gets a Leica-branded 5x telephoto camera, closing a gap that was still visible in the previous lineup.
That change matters because the older 15T base model only offered a telephoto camera equivalent to 46mm, or 2x zoom. With the Xiaomi 17T, the standard model no longer feels like the stripped-down option in the range.
A stronger Leica identity on the base model
The new telephoto unit on the Xiaomi 17T uses a 115mm lens with 5x magnification and a 50MP resolution. The trade-off is a narrower F3.0 aperture, compared with the wider F1.9 lens used in the previous generation’s telephoto setup.
Xiaomi kept the other rear cameras largely unchanged on the base model. The main camera still uses a 50MP sensor with a 1/1.55-inch type size, an F1.7 aperture, and a 23mm equivalent focal length.
The ultrawide camera also carries over familiar hardware. It has a 12MP sensor, an F2.2 aperture, and a 15mm equivalent focal length.
Pro model gets quieter refinements
The Xiaomi 17T Pro also receives camera updates, although they are less dramatic than the changes on the base model. Its main sensor moves from Light Fusion 900 to Light Fusion 950, while the aperture shifts slightly from F1.62 to F1.67.
Outside the main camera, the telephoto and ultrawide hardware on the 17T Pro remain the same as before. The telephoto setup is still a 50MP unit with a 21mm² sensor, F3.0 aperture, and 115mm equivalent focal length.
Xiaomi also adds Leica Live Moment to both phones. The feature lets users choose Leica Authentic or Leica Vibrant profiles when recording live photos, which was not available on the older generation’s live photo experience.
Video and display features expand
The 17T Pro also gets 4K 60fps cinematic recording for the first time in Xiaomi’s smartphone series. Xiaomi says the mode includes a more natural background bokeh effect.
The 17T series is the first T lineup from Xiaomi to come in two sizes. The base model is designed to be more compact and easier to use with one hand, while the Pro version is positioned with a more premium body.
Both phones use a 1.5K AMOLED display with a peak brightness of 3500 nits. The 17T Pro adds a minimum brightness of 1 nit for dark environments and reaches a 144Hz refresh rate, while the base model goes up to 120Hz.
Xiaomi also highlights Xiaomi Vision Care on both devices. The display system is claimed to adapt to ambient light and manage blue light, flicker, and motion blur, along with TÜV Rheinland quadruple eye-care and TÜV Rheinland Intelligent Eye Care certification.
Bigger batteries, faster charging
On performance, the Xiaomi 17T Pro is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 9500 with a new ISP. Xiaomi says this chip improves processing, autofocus, speed, and efficiency.
The Xiaomi 17T also gets a new chip, though Xiaomi describes it as a more modest refresh. Both models use a new silicon-carbon battery technology to support larger capacity.
Battery size is one of the major differences between the two. The 17T Pro carries a 7000mAh battery, which Xiaomi describes as the largest battery capacity in a Xiaomi Series smartphone for international markets, while the regular 17T uses a 6500mAh battery.
Charging is also split by model. The 17T Pro supports 100W wired HyperCharge and 50W wireless HyperCharge, while the base model supports 67W HyperCharge and does not include wireless charging.
Xiaomi says the 17T Pro can last an average of 1.88 days for typical users based on internal simulation. Both devices also rely on the Xiaomi 3D IceLoop System to keep temperatures stable under heavy workloads.
Pricing and market positioning
The Xiaomi 17T arrives in blue, purple, and black, with a starting price of €749. The 17T Pro comes in purple, white, blue, and black, with a starting price of €899.
That puts both phones above the opening prices of the previous generation, which started at €649 for the base model and €799 for the Pro. The higher pricing reflects Xiaomi’s move to position the T series more aggressively around Leica imaging, bigger batteries, and more complete display features.
Xiaomi is also offering service bundles in selected markets. Those offers include a three-month Google AI Pro trial with 5TB cloud storage, three months of YouTube Premium, and four months of Spotify Premium, subject to eligibility terms.
