Xiaomi is skipping its 16 series entirely and going straight to the Xiaomi 17 lineup. This change is already sparking industry talk. The new flagship series set to launch this month is termed the company’s biggest step forward ever.
Lu Weibing, Group President of Xiaomi, confirmed the news in a press announcement, saying the decision reflects Xiaomi’s confidence and ambition to challenge industry leaders like Apple head-on.
Five years of research and development went into this. The company spent over 100 billion RMB. That’s about $14 billion USD. The Xiaomi 17 series is not just a small update. It aims to improve performance, cameras, and the user experience.
Groundbreaking Flagship Devices
The Xiaomi 17 series will launch with three models:
- Xiaomi 17: Positioned for mainstream flagship buyers, offering major performance and feature upgrades without raising costs.
- Xiaomi 17 Pro: A photography-focused device in a compact form, showcasing Xiaomi’s ongoing innovation in mobile imaging.
- Xiaomi 17 Pro Max: Touted as Xiaomi’s most powerful phone ever, featuring the company’s best camera system developed in partnership with Leica.
All three models will debut Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 platform, making Xiaomi the first manufacturer globally to bring the chip to market.
Why Did Xiaomi Skip the 16 Series?
Xiaomi’s choice to jump past the 16 series is more than a number change. It’s a branding strategy. It shows the Xiaomi 17 is more than a routine upgrade. This is the company’s signal that it signals a fresh start and highlights this generation as a major leap rather than a small step forward.
The number “17” itself sends a stronger message. It also matches Apple’s upcoming iPhone 17, making the brand appear side by side with its biggest global rival. The skipped number shows Xiaomi’s confidence and ambition, and readiness to play at the very top level of the smartphone market.
Raising the Bar in the Premium Market
Xiaomi is not only focusing on hardware. The phones will feature the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip. Leica cameras are also included. New software features are coming too. Early buyers will get special access. This includes HyperOSUpdates.com and the MemeOS Enhancer app.
The phones launch in weeks. Analysts see this as a big moment for Xiaomi. The key question is whether the phones deliver real advances. If they do, the Xiaomi 17 series could challenge Apple and Samsung. It could change how the world views Xiaomi.
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