When Apple unveiled the iPhone 17 Pro Max, they delivered a refined, polished, and safe product. Xiaomi, however, took a different approach. They introduced a true “beast,” a flagship Android device designed with one singular goal: to be the ultimate “Max” smartphone in every aspect.

Xiaomi’s design features an impressive 2.9-inch secondary display, showcasing its “Pro Max” ambition.
This year, Apple’s most significant decision for the iPhone 17 Pro Max was reverting to an aluminum frame and adding a Vapor Chamber for heat dissipation. While practical, this upgrade lacks the innovation expected from a “Pro Max” model.
In contrast, the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max introduces a jaw-dropping design: a 2.9-inch secondary display with a 120Hz refresh rate, positioned alongside the Leica camera module. This isn’t a mere refinementāit’s a bold statement of creativity. While Apple addresses old issues, Xiaomi pioneers a new interaction paradigm.

Interestingly, the iPhone 17 Pro Max case fits the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max perfectly.
The Spec Battle: Where Numbers Donāt Lie
If “Pro Max” is about pushing specs to the limit, Xiaomi outpaces its rival in critical areas.
Display: Both boast 6.9-inch 120Hz screens, but Xiaomiās 17 Pro Max sets a new benchmark with a peak brightness of 3,500 nits and advanced eye protection technology.
Battery and Charging: Xiaomiās 7,500mAh battery dwarfs the iPhoneās 5,088mAh. Paired with 100W wired and 50W wireless charging, it leaves iPhone users waiting in the dust.

Xiaomi 17 Pro Maxās design, camera, and performance rival its competitor in every aspect.
Camera and Performance: The Challenger Catches Up
The iPhone 17 Pro Maxās triple 48MP cameras and ProRes RAW support remain formidable. However, Xiaomi counters with a Leica-powered periscope telephoto lens offering 5x optical zoom, delivering sharper long-range shots.
In performance, Appleās A19 Pro is a powerhouse, but Xiaomiās Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 closes the gap significantly, nearly matching it in benchmarks. The race is closer than ever.

The Final Shock: Pricing
After matching or surpassing the iPhone in most hardware categories, Xiaomi delivers the knockout blow: pricing.
Xiaomi 17 Pro Max (base model): ~$701. iPhone 17 Pro Max (base model): $1,199.
The $498 difference raises a critical question: Are you paying for cutting-edge technology, or for an ecosystem and brand?
Appleās ecosystem remains a stronghold. But if “Pro Max” means the most powerful hardware, longest battery life, fastest charging, and most innovative camera, the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max takes the crown this year.
iPhone 17 Pro Max Non-Orange Variant: Skyrocketing Prices, Even $10 Million Extra Might Not Secure a Purchase
The iPhone 17 Pro Max is currently priced significantly above its retail value, with markups ranging from $350 to $430 at select phone retailers.