Xiaomi 17 Pro Max: It’s Like An iPhone, But Better

Image Credit: Xiaomi

Marques Brownlee doesn’t hand out compliments lightly. So when the world’s most respected tech reviewer said the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max is “like an iPhone, but just better,” the industry stopped and listened. What Xiaomi has done with this phone isn’t just an iteration — it’s a declaration that Apple’s long reign as the gold standard of smartphones might finally be under siege.

Let’s start with the powerplant. The Xiaomi 17 Pro Max runs on the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor, and this chip is a monster. It absolutely trounces Apple’s A19 Pro in real-world gaming and multitasking. No thermal throttling, no frame drops — just smooth, relentless power. It feels like the phone’s telling you: push me harder. Even under marathon gaming sessions or 4K video editing, it stays cool and fast, something Apple users are salivating about.

Then there’s the display — a breathtaking 6.9-inch OLED masterpiece that makes Apple’s panel look two generations behind. The refresh rate stays locked at 120 Hz, with no dips, no compromises. The colors are pure, the blacks are inky, and the peak brightness makes outdoor visibility effortless. Watching HDR content on this thing feels like holding a cinema in your hands.

But the real jaw-dropper? Battery life. Xiaomi stuffed a 7,500 mAh battery into a frame thinner than the iPhone 17 Pro Max. And not only does it last well over a day of heavy use — it recharges in under 30 minutes. That’s not a typo. Plug it in for a quick coffee break, and you’re back to 100%. Apple’s slow charging suddenly feels prehistoric.

And just when you think that’s impressive enough — Xiaomi went further. This phone can charge other phones. Yes, the 17 Pro Max doubles as a literal power bank. Drop another phone, earbuds, or smartwatch on its back, and it transfers juice wirelessly like some futuristic magic trick. It’s one of those features you don’t realize you need until you try it. Apple users still carry portable battery packs; Xiaomi users are the portable battery packs.

Then there’s the dual-display design — something straight out of science fiction. The smaller rear screen lets you take perfect selfies with the main camera, check notifications, control music, or use it as a mini dashboard without ever flipping the phone over. Apple calls its Dynamic Island “innovative”? Xiaomi just gave us a second screen.

Speaking of cameras, Xiaomi’s Leica partnership continues to pay off. The triple-lens system delivers pro-grade shots in every scenario. The main sensor captures insane detail, the periscope zoom brings you closer without losing sharpness, and the night mode feels borderline unfair to other phones. Video quality is silky, stabilized, and cinematic. Even Apple’s image pipeline feels tamer by comparison.

And it’s all wrapped in a design that screams premium. Flat edges, polished aluminum, glass back — yes, it looks like an iPhone, but sharper and more balanced. It’s familiar, but perfected. The haptic feedback feels cleaner, the speakers louder, the touch response tighter. Everything about it feels deliberate, almost obsessive.

HyperOS, Xiaomi’s refined interface, ties it all together. It’s smoother, lighter, and finally feels cohesive — no lag, no unnecessary clutter. App transitions are seamless, widgets flow naturally, and the integration across devices is catching up to Apple’s ecosystem faster than anyone expected.

But here’s the kicker: this powerhouse undercuts Apple’s pricing by hundreds of dollars. You’re getting more — battery, speed, innovation, versatility — for less. It’s not just a competitor; it’s a full-blown challenge to Apple’s philosophy that “premium” has to mean “expensive.”

Marques Brownlee was right. The Xiaomi 17 Pro Max isn’t trying to be an iPhone clone — it’s what the iPhone should have evolved into by now. It’s bold, refined, and unafraid to experiment. You can game longer, charge faster, shoot sharper, and even power up your friend’s dying phone from yours.

This isn’t a spec war anymore — it’s a statement. Apple spent years perfecting the formula; Xiaomi just broke it and built something stronger. The Xiaomi 17 Pro Max doesn’t just compete with the iPhone — it embarrasses it. And that, more than anything, should have Tim Cook losing sleep tonight.