Xiaomi has announced two new entry-level Redmi Note smartphones, the Redmi Note 17 and Redmi Note 17 5G. They share a common design philosophy, which is a pursuit of the largest possible battery and display size at the expense of other components. It is part of a trend seen across Xiaomi’s 2026 Redmi Note range, where almost every model sacrifices other functions to prioritise battery size.What We Know About This Launch:Both the Redmi Note 17 and Redmi Note 17 5G share a large ~7.0” 120Hz 1080p AMOLED display with Gorilla Glass 7i and an under-display fingerprint sensor.A large 7,700 mAh Si-C battery with 45W charging and 22.5W reverse-wired charging.Snapdragon 6s Gen 2 (6 nm) chipset for the 4G model and Snapdragon 4 Gen 4 (4 nm) chipset for the 5G model.Both models are heavier than previous generations of the Redmi Note 17 series, with the 4G model now weighing 224g.Both smartphones feature an identical camera and audio setup with a single 50MP rear camera and a 16MP front-facing camera.They are both IP65 rated and run on Xiaomi’s HyperOS 3 with 6 years of security updates.The launch follows closely behind the pricier Redmi Note 17 Pro and Pro Max, which also emphasise massive Si-C batteries but with more premium chipsets and camera hardware.Two Variants, One Common Design PhilosophyXiaomi’s latest entry-level Redmi Note 17 smartphones are virtually identical outside of the differences in the processor and connectivity options. The standard Redmi Note 17 features a 6 nm Snapdragon 6s Gen 2 processor, which can be found in 4 GB, 6 GB, or 8 GB RAM variants. Its CPU maxes out at 2.9GHz and only supports 4G connectivity. The Redmi Note 17 5G, on the other hand, features a newer 4nm Snapdragon 4 Gen 4 “Snapdragon 4” processor with a 2.3GHz CPU, available in 6GB and 8GB RAM variants. It also includes 5G support.About The AuthorAshna is a content writer who focuses on making everyday choices easier and smarter. With a strong eye for detail and a natural sense of what works in real life, she creates content that feels honest, relatable, and genuinely helpful. She is a geek for writing stories around fashion, beauty, and influential products, while bringing the same depth and detail in reviewing tech products and gadgets of day-to-day use.