Xiaomi Launches 17T Series in Vienna

Xiaomi on May 28 unveiled the Xiaomi 17T and 17T Pro, bringing a dedicated 5x periscope telephoto camera to the entire T-series lineup for the first time and emphasizing Leica-tuned imaging in a faster-than-usual global rollout.

The company staged the event in Vienna, a photogenic backdrop chosen to showcase the new camera system's versatility. The 17T series arrives roughly eight months after the 15T models, reflecting Xiaomi's accelerated schedule for its upper mid-range lineup.

The defining upgrade is the Leica co-engineered 50-megapixel 5x optical telephoto (115mm equivalent, f/3.0, OIS) now standard on both phones. Previously reserved for the Pro variant in the 15T series, this periscope lens supports 30cm macro shooting and extends to 120x AI-enhanced digital zoom.

Both models also feature a 12-megapixel ultrawide (120-degree field of view) and a 32-megapixel front camera. The main sensors differ: the 17T Pro uses a larger 50MP unit (1/1.31-inch, f/1.67) with multi-directional PDAF and OIS, while the standard 17T has a 50MP sensor (1/1.55-inch, f/1.7).

New Leica Live Moment functionality captures brief video before the shutter press, allowing users to extract stills from the clip at full quality, an enhancement over standard motion photo features. The 17T Pro additionally supports 8K video recording, a first for the T series.

Early samples from Vienna demonstrate strong detail retention, pleasing Leica color tuning (with Authentic and Vibrant modes), and capable low-light performance, though the ultrawide remains the weakest link due to its smaller sensor.

The phones differ in size and power:

• Xiaomi 17T Pro: 6.83-inch AMOLED (1280x2772, ~447 ppi), up to 144Hz refresh rate, 3500 nits peak brightness, Dolby Vision and HDR10+ support. Powered by MediaTek Dimensity 9500 (3nm), with 12GB RAM and storage options up to 1TB. Weighs 219g at 8.3mm thick.
• Xiaomi 17T: 6.59-inch AMOLED (1268x2756, ~460 ppi), 120Hz refresh rate, same brightness and HDR features. Runs on MediaTek Dimensity 8500 Ultra (4nm) with 12GB RAM and up to 512GB storage. Lighter at 200g and 8.2mm thick.

Battery capacity stands out as the 17T Pro packs a 7000mAh cell with 100W wired charging (10-50% in about 25 minutes), 50W wireless, and reverse charging. The 17T has a 6500mAh battery with 67W wired charging. Both deliver strong all-day endurance.

Builds include Gorilla Glass 7i protection, IP68 rating, and aluminum or plastic frames depending on the model. They run Android 16 with HyperOS 3, promising five years of OS updates.

Pricing and Availability

• Xiaomi 17T starts at €749.
• Xiaomi 17T Pro starts at €899–€999 depending on configuration.

The series launched globally on May 28. The standard 17T is slated for India on June 4.

The smartphones will be available in four different colors, such as Opal White, Blue, Violet, and Black.

Xiaomi has narrowed the gap between its standard and Pro T models, making the telephoto experience more accessible. This positions the 17T series as a stronger value alternative to flagships from Samsung, Google, and Apple, which often lack comparable battery sizes or versatile zoom at similar prices.

The faster launch cycle may help Xiaomi capture market share earlier in the year, but it also means the hardware represents an incremental rather than revolutionary step from the 15T generation. Some users may notice minor processing inconsistencies, and the ultrawide and selfie cameras lag behind the main and telephoto units.

The 17T series underscores Xiaomi's strategy of leveraging its Leica partnership for camera differentiation in the competitive mid-to-upper range, where battery life and optical versatility increasingly sway buyers. How these phones hold up against rivals in real-world sales and long-term software support will determine if the accelerated timeline pays off.