Xiaomi has given us a first look at its upcoming Xiaomi 17 series, which will launch later this month in China, and the spotlight is on the Xiaomi 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max. Both models are introducing a secondary display on the back – something the company is calling the “Magic Back Screen.”
Xiaomi released a teaser for its next-generation flagships
But the new name isn’t the only way Xiaomi is trying to stand out. The design itself is taking a big leap, with the Pro and Pro Max showing off a rectangular rear island stretching edge to edge. Sounds familiar?
The teaser clip shows the new secondary screen in action. It looks like it can switch between different clock styles, double as a selfie viewfinder with the main cameras, display app info, and even showcase colorful graphics. And while this preview already shows some fun possibilities, I am sure Xiaomi is keeping a few extra tricks under wraps.
The upcoming Xiaomi 17 Pro and Pro Max will have a second screen on the back. | Screenshots by PhoneArena
Actually, this isn’t Xiaomi’s first attempt at a rear screen. Back in 2021, the Mi 11 Ultra shipped with a tiny 1.1-inch AMOLED panel on the back. That version was limited in functionality, but this new “Magic Back Screen” on the Xiaomi 17 Pro lineup looks like a much more ambitious upgrade. Of course, we will see if that is the case once the phone launches.
Under the hood, the Xiaomi 17 series will be the first to use Qualcomm’s brand-new Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset, which goes official next week. On top of that, Xiaomi is said to be pushing huge batteries: the standard model is expected to carry a 7,000mAh pack, while the Pro Max might go up to 7,500mAh.
Do you think a rear display on a phone is actually useful?
Yes – I’d use it all the time.
34.78%
Maybe – depends on what it can do.
34.78%
No – feels like a gimmick.
17.39%
Not sure yet.
13.04%
Xiaomi’s rear display could be a big deal
Xiaomi is clearly betting that a standout design change, paired with meaningful functionality, will help its new flagships stand out. A secondary screen you can actually use could be a strong selling point, especially when it brings extra convenience without needing to unlock the phone.
Recommended Stories
The big rectangular camera island is also shaping up to be a 2025 trend. Apple already went that route with its iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max, and now Xiaomi is putting its own spin on it by adding a feature-rich display.
Xiaomi’s new direction looks promising
Personally, I like the idea. A rear display that serves up key info at a glance sounds useful, especially if it reduces how often you need to pick up and unlock your phone. And it’s not just a cosmetic change – Xiaomi is also delivering on hardware with the new Snapdragon chip and huge batteries. All of this makes the Xiaomi 17 series a solid step forward from the Xiaomi 15 lineup.
"Iconic Phones" is coming this Fall!
Rediscover some of the most unique and memorable phones of the last two decades! "Iconic Phones" is a beautifully illustrated book that we've been working on for over a year - and it's coming out in just a couple short month!
"Iconic Phones: Revolution at Your Fingertips" is a must-have coffee table book for every phone lover out there. Covering the stories of more than 20 fan-favorite phones, it takes you on a memorable journey through the technological revolution that shaped our lives. Sign up now to secure an early discount price!
Tsveta, a passionate technology enthusiast and accomplished playwright, combines her love for mobile technologies and writing to explore and reveal the transformative power of tech. From being an early follower of PhoneArena to relying exclusively on her smartphone for photography, she embraces the immense capabilities of compact devices in our daily lives. With a Journalism degree and an explorative spirit, Tsveta not only provides expert insights into the world of gadgets and smartphones but also shares a unique perspective shaped by her diverse interests in travel, culture, and visual storytelling.
A discussion is a place, where people can voice their opinion, no matter if it
is positive, neutral or negative. However, when posting, one must stay true to the topic, and not just share some
random thoughts, which are not directly related to the matter.
Things that are NOT allowed:
Off-topic talk - you must stick to the subject of discussion
Offensive, hate speech - if you want to say something, say it politely
Spam/Advertisements - these posts are deleted
Multiple accounts - one person can have only one account
Impersonations and offensive nicknames - these accounts get banned
To help keep our community safe and free from spam, we apply temporary limits to newly created accounts:
New accounts created within the last 24 hours may experience restrictions on how frequently they can
post or comment.
These limits are in place as a precaution and will automatically lift.
Moderation is done by humans. We try to be as objective as possible and moderate with zero bias. If you think a
post should be moderated - please, report it.
Have a question about the rules or why you have been moderated/limited/banned? Please,
contact us.
FCC OKs Cingular\'s purchase of AT&T Wireless
Things that are NOT allowed:
To help keep our community safe and free from spam, we apply temporary limits to newly created accounts: