TL; DR
- Xiaomi skips the 16 series, moving directly to Xiaomi 17.
- Fans accuse Xiaomi of copying Apple again, echoing criticism from the HyperOS 3 update.
- Xiaomi hasn’t denied these allegations. In fact, they openly admit to it.
- Launch set for later this month in China, with a global rollout in Feb/March 2026.
Xiaomi has officially announced that its next flagship line will be called the Xiaomi 17 series, not the Xiaomi 16 series. The lineup will include Xiaomi 17, Xiaomi 17 Pro, and Xiaomi 17 Pro Max, marking the company’s “largest upgrade in its digital series history.”
Lu Weibing, Xiaomi’s President, confirmed the news on Weibo, writing:
“Everyone has been waiting. The brand-new Xiaomi 17 series will meet everyone this month. This will be the biggest leap in the history of Xiaomi’s digital series, and the release has been moved forward by one month compared to the previous generation.”
He also revealed the three-device lineup, adding that both Pro models will push Xiaomi’s technology further, while the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max will be “the strongest imaging flagship in Xiaomi’s history.”
That doesn’t seem to be true based on the leaks though—the Xiaomi 17 Pro will use a 1/2.51-inch 5X, while the Pro Max will use a 1/1.98-inch 5X. Neither of these are particularly large in the Chinese flagship landscape.Yes, if they’re competing with Apple, these might count as massive sensors.
Xiaomi imitates Apple again?
The naming skip, however, has triggered widespread backlash. Many fans see this as yet another case of Xiaomi copying Apple, particularly since Apple’s latest flagship is called the iPhone 17 series, which also includes the same nomenclature for its different models—iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max.
The controversy comes just weeks after Xiaomi’s HyperOS 3 update drew criticism in China for its heavy resemblance to Apple’s iOS 26, from app icons to animations and even Face ID styling. On social media, frustration is mounting, with some users calling this move “too far,” claiming Xiaomi is running out of originality.
ALSO READ: Beyond The Hype: iPhone 17 vs. Android Flagships; Has Apple Finally Nailed Value For Money?
They’re not hiding it
Xiaomi hasn’t exactly denied the influence. In the same post, Lu openly admitted:
“Five years ago, we began our high-end strategy, learning from the greatest opponent, firmly benchmarking against the iPhone. To this day, Apple remains outstanding. Everyone has seen the success of the iPhone 17 series, but we are still very confident, which is why we will face the iPhone head-on in the same generation and at the same level.”
This statement only fueled further debate, with some arguing Xiaomi is no longer hiding its imitation of Apple.
ALSO READ: Xiaomi 16 Pro Max (now 17 Pro Max) surfaces in live images with a rear secondary display
Xiaomi 17 Series Launch Date
On the hardware side, the Xiaomi 17 series will debut Qualcomm’s new Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, another naming choice sparking confusion and criticism. The Chinese launch is set for later September, with an Ultra model possibly coming in Q1 2026. A global rollout is expected by February or March 2026.
ALSO READ: Qualcomm Confirms: It’s Officially Called Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5
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