Xiaomi 17T
| Photo Credit:
Ashwin Rajagopalan
Not long ago, you needed to stay in flagship territory for a ‘no compromise’ mobile shooter. Not in 2026. We’re seeing quite a few brands leverage partnerships with imaging companies that bring key features to flagship killers and mid-premium phones. While you might not see the whole suite of camera goodies in the ₹40,000 – ₹60,000 price band, we’re certainly seeing this trickle-down effect impact some areas of the photography experience.The Xiaomi 17T is a case in point. This smartphone is riding heavily on its 5x zoom camera that doesn’t just impact zoom photography but also portraits. It’s not the first time Xiaomi has attempted a scaled down version of its flagship smartphone for the Indian market. In 2024 the brand launched the Xiaomi 14 Civi with Leica co-engineered lenses. The 17T is the latest member of the Xiaomi 17 trio that now offers consumers three options between ₹59,999 and ₹1,39,999. Does the Xiaomi 17T’s camera set-up offer it a unique proposition in the sub-flagship segment? The short answer is yes.DesignThe Xiaomi 17T stays in the same design zone as the Xiaomi 17. It might also remind you of Apple’s iPhone 15 Pro and 16 Pro from a couple of years ago with its ‘squircle’ camera set up. Xiaomi opts for a plastic frame, that doesn’t just keep costs down but also reduces the heft. The Xiaomi 17T weighs exactly 200 gm despite a massive battery. The device looks quite refined despite the plastic frame. The design plays out best in the Violet colour way, the 17T is also available in Black and Blue. The 17T is comfortable to hold, although the Xiaomi 17 feels even better for one-handed navigation and is the ideal option for those looking for a compact smartphone experience. The 17T is designed for your outdoor lifestyle with an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance.DisplayThis is one of the key areas where flagship killers have upped their game. The Xiaomi 17T features a 6.59-inch. 1.5K AMOLED display (2756 x 1268 pixels). It’s the perfect size if you’re looking for a balance between a binge-proof display and a smartphone that doesn’t feel too bulky in your hand. Colours are quite punchy, I watched a couple of sessions of the first test match between England and New Zealand on Sony LIV where the 17T captured the grey skies over Lord’s. The device offers excellent visibility even under harsh sunlight with a 120Hz display that peaks at 3500 nits. You have the option of ‘Vivid mode’ that makes the colours more vibrant. I preferred the ‘Original colour PRO’ mode that reproduces more realistic colours.PerformanceOne of the key differences between the pricier Xiaomi 17 (priced at ₹89,999) and the 17T is the chipset. This one’s powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 8500-Ultra processor. The device didn’t flinch in our tests and multi-tasking scenarios. It consistently notched up scores above 6600 in our Geekbench (multi-core) benchmark tests. While it certainly doesn’t sit in the top tier, the 17T is ready for intense gaming and everyday workloads for most users. We checked out the 12GB/512GB variant, Xiaomi also offers a 12GB/256GB variant for the 17T.The 17T is propelled by Xiaomi HyperOS 3 (built on Android 16). Xiaomi’s custom UI has certainly improved over the years with a cleaner design aesthetic but we wish the phone didn’t come with multiple pre-installed apps. Xiaomi is offering five years of Android OS updates and six years of security updates that’s quite reassuring for a device at this price.BatteryThe 6500 mAh battery is one of the key strengths of this device. It comfortably lasted more than a day in our tests despite significant camera usage and screen time. Xiaomi has bundled a 67W charger in the box that can power this device (from 1 to 100 per cent) in about 75 minutes. It’s not the fastest charger in this segment but it should satisfy most users. The 17T does not come with wireless charging; we would have liked to see this inclusion for added convenience.CameraOne of the big selling points in Xiaomi’s pitch for the 17T is the 5x zoom. It certainly walks the talk. I tried the 5x zoom in multiple shooting scenarios that also included portrait photography and it never disappoints. The rear camera set-up combines a 50MP Leica Main camera with a Leica 5x Periscope Telephoto Zoom lens and a 12MP ultra-wide lens with a 120-degree field of view. The camera is quite versatile and does a good job in lowlight. If there’s one weak link, it’s ultra-wide video. The camera comes with quite a few Leica add-ons like photographic styles (Leica Authentic look and Leica Vibrant look) that add value to the overall camera experience. At a time when many brands are leaning heavily on AI processing for images, the 17T doesn’t go overboard with AI enhancements.VerdictThe Xiaomi 17T is a great addition to Xiaomi’s smartphone line-up. It ticks some key boxes that matter to buyers looking for a flagship phone who don’t want to pay flagship prices at a time when smartphone prices continue to go north. It scores with its vibrant display and dependable battery performance but if there’s one reason you must consider this phone, it’s the zoom camera.SnapshotPrice: ₹59,999 onwardsPros: Zoom camera, dependable batteryCons: No wireless chargingPublished on June 19, 2026
