China's Xiaomi bets on battery life with launch of REDMI 17 series
The launch comes as smartphone manufacturers seek new ways to differentiate products in a market where improvements in camera quality and processing speeds have become increasingly incremental.
A staff member presents Xiaomi's new smartphone 17T during a launching event at a Xiaomi store in Seoul, South Korea, May 29, 2026. Xinhua photo
BEIJING - Chinese phone manufacturer Xiaomi has unveiled its new REDMI 17 smartphone series featuring a 7,500mAh battery, one of the largest capacities offered in a mainstream budget smartphone, as competition intensifies in the low and mid-range handset market.
The Chinese technology company announced two models, the REDMI 17 and REDMI 17 5G, both aimed at users seeking longer battery life without paying premium smartphone prices.
The devices enter a crowded market where manufacturers increasingly compete on battery endurance, charging speed and screen size as smartphones become the primary tool for communication, entertainment and digital payments for millions of users.
At the centre of Xiaomi's latest offering is the 7,500mAh battery, significantly larger than the 5,000mAh batteries that have become standard across much of the industry. The company says the phones support 45W fast charging and 22.5W wired reverse charging, allowing users to power other devices directly from the handset.
Xiaomi claims the standard REDMI 17 can deliver up to 28 hours of video playback, 91 hours of music playback and 46 hours of voice calls on a single charge. The REDMI 17 5G offers similar battery performance while supporting faster mobile connectivity.
The launch reflects growing consumer demand for longer-lasting smartphones, particularly in markets where users spend extended hours streaming content, making mobile payments, participating in online learning or working remotely.
The display
The phones also feature Corning Gorilla Glass 7i protection and carry an IP64 rating for resistance to dust and water splashes, durability features that have traditionally been associated with more expensive devices.
The two models differ mainly in processing power and connectivity.
The REDMI 17 is powered by MediaTek's Helio G91-Ultra chipset, while the REDMI 17 5G uses Qualcomm's Snapdragon 4 Gen 5 platform and supports fifth-generation mobile networks.
Both devices support memory expansion up to 12GB RAM and allow storage expansion of up to 2TB through a microSD card.
Budget consumers
Xiaomi has retained several features that continue to appeal to budget-conscious consumers, including a 3.5mm headphone jack, FM radio support and expandable storage. The phones are also equipped with dual stereo speakers and a 50-megapixel rear camera system.
Large batteries have emerged as one of the key battlegrounds, particularly among brands targeting younger consumers, content creators and users who spend most of their day on mobile devices.
Comparison
Xiaomi's latest move is likely to draw comparisons with rival models from Samsung, Tecno, Infinix and Realme, brands that compete aggressively in the entry-level and mid-range segments across Africa, Asia and other emerging markets.
Pricing may prove one of the strongest selling points of the new devices.
The REDMI 17 will start at US$179, while the REDMI 17 5G will start at US$249, placing both devices firmly within the affordable smartphone category despite their oversized batteries and high-refresh-rate displays.
Xiaomi said the REDMI 17 will be available in Black, Deep Blue, Oak Green and Lotus Purple, while the 5G version will be sold in Black, Deep Blue and Vivid Orange.
The company has not yet provided market-specific availability for all regions.
For consumers, however, the standout feature is likely to remain battery life. At a time when smartphones are expected to serve as cameras, entertainment hubs, payment tools and workstations, Xiaomi appears to be wagering that staying powered for longer may matter more to many buyers than having the fastest processor or the highest-resolution camera.
That strategy could give the REDMI 17 series an edge among users looking for a device that lasts throughout the day and beyond, without stretching their budgets.