In this review, Marques Brownlee examines the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max, presenting it as a device meticulously engineered to not only compete with but surpass the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max. The video begins by acknowledging the phone's deliberate aesthetic and software similarities to the iPhone, suggesting it's a strategy to attract Apple users. However, the core of the review is a deep dive into the specifications where the Xiaomi excels. Brownlee highlights its brighter display with an under-screen fingerprint reader, the superior performance of its Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip, and its revolutionary 7,500 mAh silicon carbon battery that offers unprecedented capacity and charging speeds without adding bulk. The standout feature is the large, high-quality OLED display integrated into the rear camera module, which has evolved from a gimmick into a genuinely useful tool for high-quality selfies, notifications, and even gaming. Brownlee concludes that the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max is a "spec monster" that sets a new standard for flagship phones, expressing disappointment that it is not officially available in the US market.
Xiaomi 17 Pro Max: A Feature-Packed iPhone Competitor
0:00 An Intentional iPhone Clone: The video opens by highlighting the striking similarities between the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max and the iPhone 17 Pro Max, from its physical design (flat sides, camera plateau) to its software UI, which mimics iOS features like the dynamic island. This is framed as a deliberate strategy to make iPhone users feel comfortable.
1:38 Superior Display: The Xiaomi features a 6.9-inch display that is noticeably brighter than the iPhone's. It also has a much smaller camera cutout because it uses a super-fast ultrasonic in-display fingerprint reader instead of Face ID.
2:14 World-Class Performance: Powered by the new Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max matches the iPhone's single-core performance and surpasses it in multi-core and GPU benchmarks, making it a contender for the world's fastest mobile chip.
3:07 Unprecedented Battery Life: The phone contains a massive 7,500 mAh silicon carbon battery, which is significantly larger than any competitor's, including the iPhone. Despite its size, the phone is actually lighter than the iPhone 17 Pro Max.
3:47 Rapid and Reverse Charging: It supports 100W wired charging (with a charger included in the box), 50W wireless charging, and an impressive 22.5W reverse wireless charging, which is powerful enough to fully recharge an iPhone.
4:44 High-End Triple Camera System: The phone is equipped with three 50-megapixel cameras that produce very detailed and crisp shots. The camera app includes advanced features like 8K video recording and a built-in teleprompter mode for creators.
6:06 The Innovative Rear Display: The entire rear camera bump is a full 2.9-inch, 120Hz OLED screen. Its primary function is to act as a viewfinder, allowing users to take ultra-high-quality selfies with the main camera sensors.
6:58 Functionality Beyond a Gimmick: Brownlee argues that the rear screen is a genuinely useful feature. It can function as a customizable always-on clock, a notification center, a media controller, and can display unique animations for ongoing tasks like timers.
9:37 Niche Accessories and Features: Xiaomi has fully committed to the rear display concept by creating accessories like a retro handheld gaming case with physical buttons, demonstrating a level of thought that pushes the feature beyond a simple gimmick.
10:50 A No-Compromise Flagship: Despite the addition of a second screen and a massive battery, the phone retains premium features like an IP68 water resistance rating and comes with pre-installed screen protectors on both the front and back displays.
11:19 Final Verdict: Marques is incredibly impressed, stating that the Xiaomi's capabilities are "embarrassing" compared to other phones available in the US market. He expresses his wish for such innovative devices to be more widely available globally.