The U.S. Navy got its official start on October 13, 1775, when the Continental Congress formally established the first Continental Navy. The first four ships in this newly formed naval force were the Alfred, the Columbus (both 24-gun frigates), the Andrew Doria, and the Cabot (14-gun brigantines). Three schooners — the Hornet, Wasp, and Fly – quickly followed them into this so-called “fleet.” Today, the Navy has approximately 296 battle force ships ready to deploy at a moment’s notice.
However, this number changes based on the shifting global political climate at any given time. Some estimates claim the Navy has as many as 472 total “assets,” of which 11 are mighty aircraft carriers, around which a strike group (CSG) is formed. A typical CSG consists of one carrier, two guided-missile cruisers, two anti-aircraft warships, and one or two anti-submarine destroyers or frigates. These vessels can remain deployed at sea for extended periods, depending on their mission.
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Determining the Navy’s longest deployed ship isn’t as straightforward as one might think. Well, it is, but it’s not telling the full story. Technically, the current single-longest deployment belongs to the aircraft carrier USS Midway (CVA-41), which has since become a museum and can be visited in San Diego, California. Between April 10, 1972, and March 3, 1973, it spent 332 days at sea during the Vietnam War. However, when talking about these deployment records, many sources include a caveat along the lines of “since 1964,” with deployments by ships in the modern era being referred to as occurring in the post-Cold War or post-Vietnam era.
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There might be a new winner
Now, here’s the rest of the story. Trailing closely behind Midway’s rooster tale is the USS Coral Sea (CVA-43). According to Naval History and Heritage Command (an official U.S. Navy website), the ship spent 331 days at sea. However, the independent news service for the U.S. Naval Institute claims it was only 329. Whatever the number, it still spent 11 months cruising 105,000 miles while deployed in the Western Pacific, fighting the Vietnam War.
As for the modern era, the CSG led by the Nimitz-class nuclear-powered USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) was deployed on April 1, 2019, from Norfolk, Virginia. It didn’t return to port in San Diego, California, until January 20, 2020 — just as the COVID-19 pandemic started to rear its ugly head. Its 10-month, 295-day deployment is considered the longest — in the post-Cold War era.
What about the saga of the USS Nimitz (CVN-68), which for 341 days sailed through the Persian Gulf and the South China Sea during the pandemic? Its deployment fittingly began on April 1, 2020, and didn’t return to port until February 26, 2021. That would indeed be historical, except most sources don’t count the extra days it was forced to sequester at sea due to the pandemic – above and beyond its official 263-day deployment. All those records might soon be in jeopardy, though. The USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78), the world’s largest aircraft carrier, has been at sea since June 24, 2023 (240 days and counting). President Donald Trump recently sent it to the Middle East as tensions between Iran and the U.S. escalate, which could ultimately allow the Ford to shatter the record. Only time will tell.
Anthropic’s chatbot Claude seems to have benefited from the attention around the company’s fraught negotiations with the Pentagon.
As first reported by CNBC, Claude has been rising to the top of the free app rankings in Apple’s US App Store. On Saturday evening, it overtook OpenAI’s ChatGPT to claim the number one spot, a position that it still held on Sunday morning.
According to data from SensorTower, Claude was just outside the top 100 at the end of January, and has spent most of February somewhere in the top 20. It’s climbed rapidly in the past few days, from sixth on Wednesday, then fourth on Thursday, then first on Saturday.
A company spokesperson said that daily signups have broken the all-time record every day this week, free users have increased more than 60% since January, and paid subscribers have more than doubled this year.
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After Anthropic attempted to negotiate for safeguards preventing the Department of Defense from using its AI models for mass domestic surveillance or fully autonomous weapons, President Donald Trump directed federal agencies to stop using all Anthropic products and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth said he’s designating the company a supply-chain threat.
This post was first published on February 28, 2026. It has been updated to reflect Anthropic reaching No. 1, and to include growth numbers from the company.
In the not-so-distant past, cars weren’t as commonplace as they are today. Naturally, this also means that the now-essential elements of widespread car travel, like highways and mechanics, weren’t around yet. The gas station, which is a building on just about every corner in the modern era, was no exception. Way back in the late 1800s, early drivers had to pay a visit to their local pharmacy to purchase cans of fuel. One had to pour the fuel from the cans into their vehicle to get it running.
The most famous instance of filling up a vehicle using pharmacy supplies was in 1888, when Bertha Benz, the wife of automobile pioneer Carl Benz, drove from Mannheim to Pforzheim, Germany, in the Benz Patent-Motorwagen, the first car ever invented. Early on in her trip, she made her first benzene refueling stop at the Stadt-Apotheke pharmacy in Wiesloch, giving it the historical distinction of being the world’s first filling station. So began the trend of pharmacies providing drivers with their much-needed vehicle fuel.
Of course, in the over a century since Bertha’s historic trip, car refueling has changed. In fact, it didn’t take long after her landmark drive for the first thing we recognize as a gas station to be established, making pharmacy refueling nothing more than a historical footnote.
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It didn’t take long for true gas stations to appear
Ej_rodriquez/Getty Images
In the years following Bertha Benz’s drive, cars became more and more popular. Thus, a better way to fuel up was needed, and in the United States, the answer came in the year 1905. That year saw the establishment of the world’s first designated filling station, which opened for business in St. Louis, Missouri, and allowed folks to drive up and purchase fuel without having to get it by the canister. At the same time, it has also been claimed by Standard Oil that the real first gas station was opened two years later in 1907. This station pumped gasoline directly into cars from a massive tank.
These systems worked well enough, but there was still some evolution to be done to get use to the gas stations we know today. Less than a decade later, in 1913, Gulf Refining Company opened the doors to its first drive-up gas station. Located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on the corner of Baum Boulevard and St. Clair Street, this station also offered free air, water, crankcase service, and tire and tube installation. This extensive service is just one of the many reasons why the gas stations of yesteryear are considered better than those in operation today.
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Over the past century-plus, gas stations have come a long way. Even with their flaws, and the comparatively high price of modern gas, the current setup is certainly a far and away improvement on the old pharmacies that early drivers had to work with.
Hot off the heels of Samsung’s S26 launch, Xiaomi has just unveiled its own flagship smartphone series outside of China.
The series includes the Xiaomi 17 and Xiaomi 17 Ultra, but what really separates the handsets? Is it a given that the premium Ultra model will offer more features than its cheaper alternative?
Ahead of our review, we’ve assessed the specs of the Xiaomi 17 and Xiaomi 17 Ultra and noted the key differences between the Android smartphones below. Keep reading to see whether you think either the Xiaomi 17 or Xiaomi 17 Ultra looks set to make it into our best smartphones or best Android phones guide.
At 6.9-inches, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra’s display is the same size as the Galaxy S26 Ultra and considerably larger than the 6.3-inch Xiaomi 17. As we always say, whether you prefer a larger screen or not comes down to personal preference and how you plan on using your phone. For example, if you’ll spend time streaming or gaming, then you might prefer a larger display.
The Xiaomi 17 Ultra’s display also benefits from the new Xiaomi Shield Glass 3.0, which supposedly offers 30% more drop resistance than the Xiaomi 15 Ultra’s Shield Glass 2.0. In comparison, the Xiaomi 17 sports the same Xiaomi Shield glass as the Xiaomi 15.
Otherwise, both phones are fitted with a 1-120Hz LTPO refresh rate and offer up to 3500 nits peak brightness too.
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Xiaomi 17 Xiaomi 17 Ultra
Xiaomi 17 has a bigger battery
Somewhat surprisingly, the Xiaomi 17 not only boasts a larger-sized battery compared to the Ultra, but it also supports faster charging too. While the Xiaomi 17 Ultra is fitted with a 6000mAh cell and supports 90W HyperCharge wired speeds, the Xiaomi 17 benefits from a 6330mAh battery with a whopping 100W HyperCharge. Both phones support 50W wireless HyperCharge too.
As we’re yet to review either handset, we can’t comment on their battery life or charging ability. Having said that, considering that the Xiaomi 15 and Xiaomi 15 Ultra sport smaller batteries, both handsets still provide a comfortable all-day battery life. With that in mind, we can expect both the Xiaomi 17 and 17 Ultra to offer a similar performance.
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Xiaomi 17. Image Credit (Trusted Reviews)
Both run on Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, but the Ultra is fitted with more RAM
As to be expected from many of the best Android phones, both the Xiaomi 17 and Xiaomi 17 Ultra run on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5. We’ve reviewed a few phones sporting the chip, including the OnePlus 15 and Redmagic 11 Pro, and have been blown away by its speed and ability to run intensive tasks with ease.
With this in mind, we expect the same performance with both the Xiaomi 17 and Xiaomi 17 Ultra.
Although both handsets sport the same chip, it’s worth noting that the Xiaomi 17 Ultra comes equipped with 16GB RAM as standard whereas the Xiaomi 17 includes 12GB. The difference here is significant, not only because the limited supply and rising RAM prices are still dominating headlines, but it also means the 17 Ultra should run that bit faster compared to the Xiaomi 17.
Xiaomi 17 Ultra. Image Credit (Trusted Reviews)
Xiaomi 17 Ultra has a 200MP telephoto lens
Judging by its specs, it seems that the reason to choose the Xiaomi 17 Ultra is for its photography skill. Although both the Xiaomi 17 and 17 Ultra were co-engineered with Leica and are each fitted with three rear lenses and a 50MP selfie camera, the 17 Ultra has a few tricks up its sleeve.
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Firstly, the 17 Ultra benefits from a 200MP telephoto lens which features a 75-100mm mechanical optical zoom and is the first Leica APO optical lens in its flagship line-up too. According to Xiaomi, this lens should achieve up to 17.2x of optical-level zoom without in-sensor cropping.
The Ultra’s mighty telephoto supports the camera’s 50MP main and 50MP ultrawide lenses , all of which are built around Leica’s UltraPure optical design for better focus and less interference. Finally, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra allows you to film 4K@120fps, which was first introduced to Androids with the OnePlus 15.
In comparison, all three of Xiaomi 17’s rear lenses are 50MP. While its telephoto lens doesn’t quite offer the same prowess as the Ultra, and instead offers 5x optical-level and 20x AI Ultra zoom, its main and ultrawide lenses promise to capture bright and detailed images across most light conditions.
Otherwise, unlike the Ultra, the Xiaomi 17 supports 4K@60fps video recording.
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Xiaomi 17 Ultra supports two photography add-ons
Following on from the above, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra also supports two Leica photography add-ons which should see the handset reach our best camera phones guide. Firstly, there’s the Photography Kit which weighs just 48g and includes a wrist strap, a customisable two-stage shutter button and a video recording button for precise control.
Image Credit (Trusted Reviews)
Or you can opt for the Photography Kit Pro, which is designed for more dedicated photographers. According to Xiaomi, the kit combines a slip-resistant texture with a PU leather surface for a more secure grip, and boasts an integrated 2000mAh battery which doubles as a power bank too.
Early Verdict
At this early stage, it’s fair to say that if photography is the most important aspect of a phone, then the Xiaomi 17 Ultra is an easy recommendation, thanks to its mighty 200MP telephoto and the additional photography kits too.
On the other hand, if you’re looking for more of an all-rounder then the Xiaomi 17 is still a brilliant alternative, thanks to its Leica lenses, flagship chip and even bigger battery than the Ultra.
We’ll update this versus once we’ve reviewed the Xiaomi 17 and Xiaomi 17 Ultra.
It’s been a busy week for Androids, as Samsung and Xiaomi have both launched their respective flagship smartphones globally.
Keen to see how the Xiaomi 17 Ultra compares to the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra? You’ve come to the right place, as we’ve looked at the specs of both phones and highlighted the key differences between the two here.
Keep reading to learn more about the smartphones and whether either look set to grace our best Android phones guide.
The Galaxy S26 Ultra is currently available for pre-order, and will launch officially on March 11th. The handset has a starting RRP of £1279/$1299.99 and comes in a choice of five colours: Black, White, Cobalt, Violet and Sky Blue.
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Both run on Qualcomm’s flagship processor, but Galaxy S26 Ultra has a custom version
As will likely be the case with most of the best Android phones of 2026, both the Xiaomi 17 Ultra and Galaxy S26 Ultra are equipped with Qualcomm’s flagship processor: Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5. However, in true Samsung fashion, the Galaxy S26 Ultra’s version is a custom-made process specifically designed for Galaxy smartphones (aptly titled Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy).
Although we haven’t reviewed either phone yet, our experience with Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 has been extremely positive. During our time with other handsets sporting the chip, we found things ran quickly and smoothly, and even intensive tasks were handled with ease. With that in mind, we can expect a similar performance from both the Xiaomi 17 Ultra and Galaxy S26 Ultra.
Either way, the Qualcomm chip is not only known for its speed and efficiency, but also for its ability to run on-device AI without a hitch. This is especially noteworthy for the Galaxy S26 Ultra, which is fitted with Samsung’s entire Galaxy AI toolkit including Circle to Search and Gemini access.
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Xiaomi 17 Ultra. Image Credit (Xiaomi)
Galaxy S26 Ultra is thinner and slightly lighter
Although both handsets are equipped with a 6.9-inch display, their measurements differ slightly. While the Xiaomi 17 Ultra is 8.9mm thick, the Galaxy S26 Ultra is just 7.9mm – making it the thinnest Galaxy Ultra model ever. Considering the S26 Ultra still includes the S-Pen, this is a pretty impressive feat.
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra. Image Credit (Trusted Reviews)
Despite the difference in thickness, the Galaxy S26 Ultra is only slightly lighter than the Xiaomi 17 Ultra. While the Galaxy S26 Ultra weighs 214g, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra weighs up to 219g (for the Starlit Green model, whereas Black and White weigh 218.4g), so the difference between the two shouldn’t be particularly noticeable.
Galaxy S26 Ultra sports a Privacy Display
Perhaps one of the most exciting new features of the Galaxy S26 Ultra is its clever built-in Privacy Display which shields itself away from prying eyes. The Privacy Display is customisable too, which means you can choose to set it on a per-app basis or even just hide specific areas of your display instead.
Sure, this might not be the main reason you choose the Galaxy S26 Ultra over the Xiaomi 17 Ultra, however it’s still a brilliant addition that we wish was available on more smartphones.
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Privacy Display on Galaxy S26 Ultra. Image Credit (Trusted Reviews)
Xiaomi 17 Ultra supports faster wired and wireless charging
Samsung has never been famed for its mighty batteries and super speedy charging, and although the S26 Ultra sees some improvements over its predecessors, its specs don’t quite measure up to the Xiaomi 17 Ultra’s own. Even so, we should note that we’ve always found recent Samsung Galaxy handsets offer a comfortable all-day battery life.
Firstly, there’s a pretty large difference between battery sizes. While the Galaxy S26 Ultra has an average-sounding 5000mAh cell, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra sports a 6000mAh battery instead. In addition, the Galaxy S26 Ultra supports 60W wired and 25W wireless charging too, with the former promising 75% charge in just 30 minutes. It’s certainly an improvement over the 45W of the Galaxy S25 Ultra, but it undoubtedly falls short of the Xiaomi 17 Ultra’s whopping 90W.
Not only that, but the 17 Ultra also benefits from 50W wireless charging too.
Galaxy S26 Ultra has four rear lenses
It’s fair to say that both the Galaxy S26 Ultra and Xiaomi 17 Ultra have their eyes set on the best camera phone title and, although we haven’t reviewed either yet, their respective specs sound promising.
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The Galaxy S26 Ultra sees more of a tweak rather than an overhaul from the Galaxy S25 Ultra, with the promise of brighter images captured from the 200MP main and 50MP telephoto lenses. Although we would have preferred more of an upgrade, considering the Galaxy S25 Ultra captured brilliant images in most lighting conditions, it’s somewhat understandable why Samsung kept things similar.
Otherwise, the Galaxy S26 Ultra also sports a 50MP ultrawide and another 10MP telephoto too, making for a total of four rear lenses.
Xiaomi 17 Ultra and Photography Kit. Image Credit (Trusted Reviews)
In comparison, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra is made up of three rear cameras that were co-engineered with Leica: a 50MP main, 50MP ultrawide and a mighty 200MP telephoto which promises to reach an optical zoom of up to 17.2x. That’s an impressive claim, and one we’re keen to put to the test.
For especially keen photographers, you also have the option to purchase additional kits to further enhance your snaps. There’s the standard Photography Kit which weighs just 48g and features a two-stage shutter button and a video recording button for precise control, while the Photography Kit Pro boasts an integrated 2000mAh battery which doubles as a power bank and a detachable shutter button.
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Early Verdict
Both the Xiaomi 17 Ultra and Galaxy S26 Ultra are undoubtedly promising flagship Android smartphones, so choosing between them might be a difficult undertaking. Sure, both offer premium features but the Galaxy S26 Ultra does benefits from the inclusion of a Privacy Display and Galaxy AI.
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That’s not to say the Xiaomi 17 Ultra doesn’t sport impressive features, as the Android boasts a mighty battery, speedy charging and Leica cameras too.
We’ll have to review both handsets before coming to a clear verdict. Once we do, we’ll be sure to update this versus.
ISAC allows smartphones to detect unconnected objects without interfering with connectivity services
Echo-based pulses let mobile networks visualize their surroundings, like bats in the dark
ISAC trials successfully detected people and objects without disrupting mobile functions
Integrated Sensing and Communication, or ISAC, is a technology which converts ordinary smartphones into radar-like sensors capable of detecting unconnected objects in real time.
Vodafone and Tiami Networks are testing ISAC to explore how smartphones could warn people about nearby dangers.
The pair are also examining its potential to monitor crowded areas, detect intruders, and support tasks in industrial and environmental settings.
Vodafone and Tiami test ISAC
The new system relies on echo-based pulses, similar to the echolocation bats use to navigate dark environments, allowing mobile networks to visualize their surroundings without additional hardware.
Users could theoretically receive alerts about crowded spaces, nearby hazards, or other dangerous situations simply through their devices, and industries and public facilities could monitor intruders, unauthorized drones, or environmental risks.
ISAC could track natural disasters and monitor livestock, offering real-time insights in areas that are hard to observe directly, and could also create 3D maps using smart glasses, detect contaminated food, and assist robots in understanding human hand gestures.
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Although ISAC is expected to play a central role in future 6G networks, which may begin operating around 2030, the technology can function over existing 5G infrastructure.
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Vodafone and Tiami Networks conducted trials at Vodafone’s Málaga R&D facility in Spain, employing Tiami’s PolyRAN software to turn base stations into wide-area sensors.
“Our vision for PolyRAN is simple. Deploying ISAC should be as seamless as enabling a software application within a 5G network without disrupting existing connectivity services,” said Amitav Mukherjee, CEO and Founder of Tiami Networks.
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“Testing with Vodafone allows us to evaluate realistic performance and deployment pathways with a leading operator that is deeply engaged in 6G research.”
During these trials, unconnected objects and even people were successfully detected across a live 5G network without causing any interference to voice calls, messaging, or internet usage.
This means ISAC’s adoption does not require a complete network overhaul, making the technology more immediately applicable.
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The trials also explored interoperability between different vendors’ hardware and software through Open RAN-compliant antennas.
This flexibility allows mobile networks to integrate new sensing capabilities through software updates rather than expensive equipment replacements.
By transforming base stations into intelligent edge computing platforms, operators can perform advanced environmental sensing alongside traditional connectivity services.
Beyond industrial or urban monitoring, ISAC could influence personal safety and everyday convenience.
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Business phones may alert users to hazardous conditions in crowded transport hubs or to hidden maintenance issues, such as burst pipes, within buildings.
“Our 6G-ready test shows that your phone could soon do a lot more than connect you. It could be used to help keep you safe wherever you go,” said Marco Zangani, Director of Network Strategy and Architecture, Vodafone.
The technology could also support privacy-conscious public applications, for example, counting visitors in a shopping mall without relying on cameras.
While the full scope of ISAC remains to be proven, initial trials indicate that turning ordinary smartphones into active environmental sensors is technically feasible.
The Leica Leitzphone by Xiaomi was developed in partnership with the iconic German camera brand Leica.
Andrew Lanxon/CNET
Chinese phone-maker Xiaomi announced the Leica Leitzphone here at MWC, a Xiaomi 17 Ultra with a circular hardware dial around the back camera puck and Leica branding. That control dial, which feels like the focus ring on a manual camera lens, can be programmed to perform a number of actions when taking a photo, like changing the exposure.
Professional photographer and CNET editor Anredw Lanxon tested the Leitzphone and said, “The Xiaomi Leica Leitzphone is the best, most exciting camera phone I have ever used. And I’ve used them all, including Apple’s iPhone 17 Pro and Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Ultra. And while they’re both great phone cameras for most people, Xiaomi and Leica’s latest collaboration has resulted in a handset that’s arguably more camera than it is phone.”
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In fact, after taking more than 2,000 photos with the phone, he gave the Leitzphone by Xiaomi a CNET Editors’ Choice award, saying, “Its images aren’t just ‘good for a phone’; they’re downright superb for any camera.”
A yearlong Europol-coordinated operation dubbed “Project Compass” has led to 30 arrests and 179 suspects being tied to “The Com,” an online cybercrime collective that targets children and teenagers.
In a press release issued on Thursday, Europol said that investigators identified 62 victims and directly safeguarded four of them from the group’s attacks.
Launched in January 2025 and led by Europol’s European Counter Terrorism Centre, the Project Compass joint action has brought together law enforcement agencies from 28 countries to combat The Com (short for Community).
Described by Europol as a decentralized nihilistic extremist network, The Com is a loose-knit network of English-speaking cybercriminals known for targeting, victimizing, and recruiting young people for extortion, violence, and the production of child sexual exploitation material (CSAM).
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The Com operates across a wide range of social media, online gaming environments, messaging apps, and music streaming platforms, and is organized into multiple subgroups, including:
Offline Com, which promotes property damage, harming others, and committing acts of terrorism,
Cyber Com, which orchestrates network intrusions and ransomware attacks,
(S)extortion Com, which coerces minors into sex crimes and encourages self-harm and suicide.
Another subgroup that first surfaced in 2021 and is known as “764” is especially notorious within The Com as it grooms young people into producing explicit content, which is then used for blackmail or shared among members.
Two alleged 764 leaders (21-year-old Leonidas Varagiannis and 20-year-old Prasan Nepal) were arrested in April 2025 and charged with operating an international child exploitation ring, and are now facing life in prison.
“These networks deliberately target children in the digital spaces where they feel most at ease,” said Anna Sjöberg, the head of Europol’s European Counter Terrorism Centre.
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“Project Compass allows us to intervene earlier, safeguard victims and disrupt those who exploit vulnerability for extremist purposes. No country can address this threat alone – and through this cooperation, we are closing the gaps they try to hide in.”
Malware is getting smarter. The Red Report 2026 reveals how new threats use math to detect sandboxes and hide in plain sight.
Download our analysis of 1.1 million malicious samples to uncover the top 10 techniques and see if your security stack is blinded.
Samsung quietly slipped a 27-inch QD-OLED gaming monitor onto the market at a much lower price than anyone expected. The Odyssey OLED G5, that’s the G50SF model, comes in with a 2560×1440 resolution and a 180Hz refresh rate, a 0.03 millisecond response time, gray to grey, being the icing on the cake. It’s currently selling for around $350, which is significantly cheaper than the original asking price of close to $550.
QD-OLED technology combines quantum dots and organic LEDs to provide per-pixel lighting. The end product is true black. In other words, the individual pixels just turn off, resulting in a contrast ratio of millions to one. The colors also provide a lot of bang for their buck, with a wide gamut and 99 percent DCI-P3 coverage in tests, and Pantone even approves the panel for accurately reproducing more than 2100 colors and skin tones. In addition, HDR10 support is incorporated, which adds depth to highlights and shadows without relying on local dimming zones, as other display types do.
The monitor’s motion performance definitely punches above its weight, as the 180Hz limit via DisplayPort keeps frames flowing smoothly in fast-paced games, and the super-fast response time effectively eliminates ghosting when making quick turns or performing frenzied action scenes. It also receives a thumbs up from NVIDIA and AMD for G-Sync and FreeSync compatibility, which means tearing and stutter are eliminated, but if you’re confined to HDMI, it still max out at 144Hz, which is still quite decent for consoles or secondary setups.
Despite the fact that OLED screens can be prone to long-term issues, Samsung has made steps to limit those concerns. A thermal modulation system adjusts the brightness dynamically to help manage heat, and logo and taskbar detection activates to automatically dim static elements. If the monitor has been idle for ten minutes, a screen saver activates to prevent screen burn-in, which is a big deal for anyone concerned about permanent image retention. As an added benefit, the three-year guarantee specifically covers burn-in if you use it normally.
Another thing to note is that the Glare Free coating effectively reduces reflections when compared to a regular anti-glare film. This means it’s much easier to operate the monitor even if it’s illuminated from above or by a nearby window. The matte finish does a fantastic job of keeping clarity, although it sacrifices some perceived sharpness in exchange for the ability to use the monitor in brighter settings.
Xiaomi has just announced the global launch of its flagship Xiaomi 17 series, but how does the premium 17 Ultra compare to its iPhone competitor?
Although we haven’t specifically reviewed the iPhone 17 Pro Max, we have reviewed the similarly specced iPhone 17 Pro, so we’ll draw on our experience there where applicable. However, you can see the differences between the two in our iPhone 17 Pro vs iPhone 17 Pro Max guide.
Otherwise, we’ve compared the specs of the Xiaomi 17 Ultra and iPhone 17 Pro Max and noted their key differences here. We’d also recommend that you take a look at our Android vs iOS guide which explains the fundamentals of the two operating systems, while our best smartphone list reveals our current favourites for 2026.
The iPhone 17 Pro Max is currently Apple’s most expensive handset, with a starting price of £1199/$1199 for the 256GB model. The smartphone also comes in a choice of three colours: Silver, Deep Blue and Cosmic Orange.
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Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 vs Apple A19 Pro
One of the biggest differences between the Xiaomi 17 Ultra and iPhone 17 Pro Max is with their respective processors. While the Xiaomi 17 Ultra runs on Qualcomm’s top-end Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, which powers many of the best Android phones, the iPhone 17 Pro Max runs on Apple’s own A19 Pro chip instead.
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We should disclaim that, although we have tried Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 and A19 Pro, we haven’t yet tested the chips within the Xiaomi 17 Ultra or iPhone 17 Pro Max. Even so, we’ve seen high benchmark scores alongside seriously impressive everyday use when testing other phones running Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5. With this in mind, we expect the Xiaomi 17 Ultra to offer a similar performance.
As expected from a Pro Apple chip, A19 Pro is also seriously powerful. While reviewing the iPhone 17 Pro, which uses the same chip, we found the phone stayed cool during even intensive tasks like gaming, and achieves impressively high benchmark scores too. Again, like the Xiaomi 17 Ultra, we expect the iPhone 17 Pro Max to offer a similar performance too.
Xiaomi 17 Ultra iPhone 17 Pro (not the Max)
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Xiaomi 17 Ultra features a 200MP telephoto lens
When it comes to photography ability, both the Xiaomi 17 Ultra and iPhone 17 Pro Max promise to excel. The Xiaomi 17 Ultra is fitted with a trio of rear lenses, including a 50MP main, 50MP ultrawide and mighty 200MP telephoto. In comparison, although the iPhone 17 Pro Max is also made up of a main, ultrawide and telephoto lens, all three are 48MP Fusion instead.
This is also the case with the iPhone 17 Pro, which we hailed as being one of the best camera phones. We especially praised the 8x telephoto lens, hailing it as offering the best zoom camera ever on an iPhone. This is especially noteworthy as the Xiaomi 17 Ultra boasts a mammoth 200MP telephoto which promises up to 17.2x optical zoom. Of course, we’ll have to wait until we review the Xiaomi 17 Ultra to see how it fares.
Xiaomi 17 Ultra. Image Credit (Xiaomi)
What also impressed us with the iPhone 17 Pro was the abundance of features that enhance images, such as Photographic Styles and Dual Camera mode too.
Both have 6.9-inch displays
Not only are the Xiaomi 17 Ultra and iPhone 17 Pro Max equipped with 6.9-inch displays, but so is the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra. It’s safe to say that if you prefer a larger phone, then you’re certainly not short of options.
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Unsurprisingly, both the Xiaomi 17 Ultra and iPhone 17 Pro Max are equipped with plenty of premium screen technologies. With the Xiaomi 17 Ultra, you’ll benefit from a HyperRGB panel which Xiaomi explains “leverages independent red, green, and blue subpixels for 2K-level clarity”, an LTPO-enabled 1-120Hz refresh rate and Xiaomi Shield Glass 3.0 for up to 30% more drop resistance than the Xiaomi 15 Ultra.
The iPhone 17 Pro Max’s Super Retina XDR display also sports ProMotion technology (Apple’s term for an LTPO 1-120Hz refresh rate) and retains the Dynamic Island of its predecessors. Other than being bigger, its specs are the same as the iPhone 17 Pro, which we hailed as having one of the best screens around.
Xiaomi 17 Ultra promises faster charging
Annoyingly, one area where Apple seems to let itself down is with charging speeds. While the Xiaomi 17 Ultra boasts 90W HyperCharge wired and 50W HyperCharge wireless support, the iPhone 17 Pro Max supports 40W wired and 30W wireless.
Having said that, although it’s undoubtedly a shame that the iPhone series hasn’t quite matched the levels of its Android competitors, it’s still worth noting that generally battery life is solid and should comfortably see you through a full day.
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HyperOS 3 vs iOS 26
Arguably the most influential difference between the Xiaomi 17 Ultra and iPhone 17 Pro Max is with their operating systems. The iPhone 17 Pro Max runs on iOS, specifically iOS 26 which saw the introduction of Liquid Glass, and remains one of the easiest to use interfaces in a smartphone.
In comparison, while Xiaomi’s HyperOS is an Android skin, it undoubtedly draws inspiration from iOS. With that in mind, if you want a raw Android experience then you’re better off elsewhere.
Although HyperOS is fairly intuitive and easy to run, it doesn’t offer the polished experience that an iPhone does. The main reason for this comes from the sheer amount of bloatware, which includes a second app store, AliExpress, Mi Store and many many more.
Xiaomi 17 Ultra. Image Credit (Trusted Reviews)
Otherwise, Xiaomi has sprinkled a decent amount of AI features across HyperOS with the inclusion of Circle to Search, Gemini access and useful photo editing tools that work well. It’s just enough to be useful, but not so much that it should be the sole reason you opt for a Xiaomi handset.
This brings us to Apple’s own AI kit, Apple Intelligence, which is found in the iPhone 17 Pro Max. Unfortunately, Apple Intelligence still feels like something of an afterthought and although some features such as Writing Assist and Clean Up for photos are useful, we still don’t think this should be the reason you opt for an iPhone.
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For a deeper dive into the different operating systems, do make sure you visit our Android vs iOS guide, as our Mobile Editor has explained everything you need to know about the two.
Early Verdict
The Xiaomi 17 Ultra looks like a seriously promising Android smartphone, thanks to its mighty 200MP telephoto lens, powerful Qualcomm chip and speedy charging. With this in mind, if you’re leaning more towards an Android then the Xiaomi 17 Ultra seems like a great option.
However, the iPhone 17 Pro Max is a seriously high-specced phone. Considering we gave the iPhone 17 Pro a 4.5-star rating and a spot on our best smartphone list, the larger iPhone 17 Pro Max is a brilliant option for those in Apple’s ecosystem or anyone looking for a change.
While it may not be a game-changing update, the Xiaomi 17 does just enough to stay competitive and cement itself as one of the top compact flagships on the market. If you’re looking for a smaller flagship without the compromises, look no further.
Compact size
Super powerful
Solid cameras
Great battery life
Not a massive upgrade over the previous model
Software support terms don’t match the competition
No charger in the box
Squirrel Widget
Key Features
Smaller size
Arguably, the biggest draw of the Xiaomi 17 is its relatively compact footprint. It’s similarly sized to the iPhone 17 and Galaxy S26, which makes it perfect for smaller hands and pockets.
Mega powerful
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Despite being smaller, the Xiaomi 17 is still a performance beast. With the latest Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 at its core, it’ll handle high-end gaming and intense productivity workloads with ease.
Big battery and speedy charging
Another surprising aspect, considering the size, is that the Xiaomi 17 has a huge battery inside (bigger than the 17 Ultra), and it charges at up to 100W speeds.
Introduction
The base model Xiaomi 17 aims to be a do-it-all flagship in a smaller, more pocketable form factor. It’s Xiaomi’s answer to the likes of the iPhone 17 and Galaxy S26.
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While it may look slightly different, the Xiaomi 17 has quite familiar specifications. It’s roughly the same size and shape as its predecessor, and the cameras seem to be mostly unchanged, too.
What you do get, this time around, is the latest Snapdragon chip, a brighter screen, a bigger battery, and quicker charging. Is that enough to compete with the big dogs? I’ve been using it for the past week to find out.
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Design
151.1×71.8×8.1 mm, 191g
Aluminium frame, glass fibre back
IP68 rated
As mentioned, the Xiaomi 17 has roughly the same footprint as its predecessor, which means it’s refreshingly compact. If you want a smaller handset, but you don’t want to skimp on specifications, your options are quite limited, and this phone is one of the top contenders.
Image Credit (Trusted Reviews)
While the phone is smaller, it strikes a nice balance. The screen doesn’t feel too cramped, and there’s a bit of heft to it, which adds to the premium feel.
Aesthetically, there has been a pretty big change with this generation. Xiaomi has done away with the black rectangular camera island and switched to a more iPhone-like “plateau”. The notable difference here is that there’s an extra lens compared to the base-model iPhone 17.
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The rear panel has a frosted matte finish, while the camera surround and Xiaomi logo are glossy – again, just like the latest iPhones. My test sample came in a fetching green colour, which is new for the global release. It’s also available in Blue and Black.
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The phone has a flat front and rear with flat side rails. At the risk of sounding like a broken record, it’s basically iPhone-shaped. It’s no bad thing, I like the way iPhones look and feel, and unsurprisingly, I like this, too.
There are, however, a few differences between this and Apple’s latest. For starters, there are no additional buttons, just the usual power button and volume rocker combination. You also get a hard-shell clear case included in the box, and a factory-applied screen protector; there are no such goodies in Apple’s packages.
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The Xiaomi 17 is IP68-rated, which means it’s basically immune to dust ingress, and it can withstand brief dunks in fresh water. It doesn’t get the higher IP69K rating like the Ultra, but since that’s mostly to do with hot water jets, it’ll have little effect on the durability in most circumstances.
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Screen
6.3-inch 120Hz 1220×2656 OLED
Flat display
3500 nits peak brightness
The Xiaomi 17 has a 6.3-inch flat OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and a peak brightness of 3500 nits. It’s about 300 nits brighter than the last generation, and it also has a higher PWM dimming frequency of 2160Hz, up from 1920Hz.
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The extra brightness is the most impactful change. It’s not worlds apart from the previous generation, but it’s easier to see in direct sunlight, and that’s always a good thing.
The most unique thing about the display is that it’s on the smaller side. It’s much easier to reach the top of the screen if you have smaller hands, and the slim symmetrical bezels and small punch-hole camera cutout mean that it doesn’t feel cramped or undersized.
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Colours appear accurate with plenty of vibrance, and the black levels are excellent, as you’ll find with most modern OLED panels. Whether you’re playing games, watching YouTube, or catching up on your favourite Netflix show, you’re in for a visual treat.
I didn’t feel the need to adjust the default colour profile, but if you want to calibrate further, Xiaomi gives you plenty of options to tweak the output.
Cameras
50MP main camera (1/1.3-inch sensor)
50MP ultrawide (1/2.76-inch)
50MP 2.6x telephoto (1/2.76-inch)
50MP selfie camera (AF)
The Xiaomi 17 has a triple 50MP camera setup on the rear. There’s an 17mm equivalent ultrawide, a 23mm main and 60mm telephoto camera.
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The specs are essentially the same as last year’s array, and the shortcomings are the same, too. For me, the biggest disappointment was that the ultrawide lens is fixed focus. That’s fine for landscapes and architecture, but it means close-ups and group photos are out of the question.
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Thankfully, macro duties are taken on by the telephoto camera, which can focus as close as 10cm from the lens. I prefer to use the telephoto for macro shots anyway, so I’d chalk it up as a win overall.
The only camera to receive a proper spec bump is the selfie snapper. It’s now 50MP, up from 32MP, and it also has autofocus, whereas the previous generation was fixed-focus. It makes a big difference; the results from the selfie camera are noticeably sharper and more detailed than the previous model.
Just as I found when testing the 17 Ultra, Xiaomi’s image processing feels more refined than ever, and it’s now easily among my favourites. Colours are life-like without looking dull, and if you want to add a little more flavour to your shots, you have a wide array of stylish filters to choose from.
Of course, this camera array isn’t quite on the same level as Xiaomi’s Ultra flagship, but the shared DNA is plain to see. The main drawbacks, comparatively, are the smaller sensor sizes, which means the Xiaomi 17 doesn’t do quite as well in low light conditions, and the shorter reach of the telephoto lens.
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If you’re zooming over long distances, the base model can’t compete with its Ultra sibling. It’s not bad, but you’ll start to see a lot of image degradation once you move past 15x or so.
That being said, on the other end of the spectrum, the base model is actually much more impressive for macro photography. It may not have the same reach, but it can focus much, much closer and capture some excellent details.
While the camera system might not bring any exciting features along with it, it’s definitely amongst the best available in a compact flagship handset. I was really pleased with the results I got from it, and solid portrait mode effects and filters only add to the appeal.
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It’s no slouch in the video department, either. You can shoot in Log at 4K60 on all of the rear lenses with full Pro controls. You can even shoot at 8K, if you feel the need.
Performance
Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5
12GB RAM, 512GB storage
Dual stereo speakers
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The Xiaomi 17 is powered by Qualcomm’s most powerful SoC to date, the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5. The global release pairs it with 12GB of RAM and 512GB of storage.
As you might expect, it’s a super-powerful phone. Whether you’re multitasking heavily, editing videos on the go, or playing the most demanding mobile games, the Xiaomi 17 handles everything readily.
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Just as I found with its Ultra sibling, the Xiaomi 17 stays impressively cool under load, too. With the settings maxed out on Genshin Impact, the phone had barely begun to heat up after half an hour of play.
That’s not to say it never heats up. It got very toasty during our new AI benchmark test, for example, but in actual use, the phone stayed cool as a cucumber.
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The speakers on this phone also impressed me. They’re not the loudest around, and rivals compete well in terms of detail, but the Xiaomi 17 has the upper hand when it comes to bass response. The phone manages to add some real thump to the lower frequencies without sounding too boomy or distorted.
Software & AI
HyperOS 3, based on Android 16
New iOS-like styling
Lots of AI features
The Xiaomi 17 runs HyperOS 3, Xiaomi’s custom software built on top of Android 16. If you’ve used a recent Xiaomi device, you’ll have a good idea of what to expect, but the latest version comes with some nice visual tweaks and of course, plenty of AI functionality.
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HyperOS 3 looks and feels more iOS-inspired than ever, but personally, I’m fine with that. It has its own version of the Dynamic Island, lock screen options with depth effects and widgets, and a very Apple-looking quick settings panel.
Possibly the best thing about HyperOS, though, is how customisable it is. You can change just the way everything looks using the various themes and settings menus, even the animations can be swapped around.
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What I don’t like so much are the aggressive battery-saving measures. You’ll need to do some fiddling with background power use options for various apps to ensure that your notifications remain timely.
There are lots of AI tools for image editing, ranging from simple things like object removal to outpainting, beautification, upscaling, and more. There are also plenty of productivity tools, including the usual AI-powered transcription, translation, and writing assistance options.
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Of course, you get the standard Google goodies, too. Gemini is set as the default assistant, and you can use Circle to Search to quickly find information about anything on your screen.
Battery life
6300mAh battery
100W wired charging
50W wireless charging
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Bizarrely, the Xiaomi 17 base model outperforms the Ultra in the battery department. Not only does it feature a larger 6300mAh cell, compared to the Ultra’s 6000mAh, but it charges quicker, supporting up to 100W speeds, rather than 90W.
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With my typical use, the Xiaomi 17 got me through the day with no difficulty. Often, I would end the day with well over 40% remaining. I couldn’t quite squeeze two days from it, but if you’re more considerate with your usage, it may be within reach.
There’s no charger included in the box, just a USB cable, so you might want to budget for a speedy wall adapter to make the most of it. I was happy to see that it still charges extremely quickly with third-party PD chargers, though, so a Xiaomi-branded one might not be a necessity.
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My Ugreen Nexode 200W desktop charger was able to take the phone from fully flat to almost 65% charged in just half an hour. Not a bad showing considering the capacious 6300mAh tank.
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The phone also supports blazing-fast 50W wireless charging, but you’ll need a Xiaomi charging pad if you want to reach such speeds.
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Squirrel Widget
Should you buy it?
You want a compact flagship with very few compromises
The Xiaomi 17 is a great phone in just about every area, and it manages to do so while remaining compact and pocket-friendly. If you’re in the market for a smaller flagship phone, there are few as well-rounded as this.
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You want the absolute best cameras
There’s no way around it; the smaller sensors on this device can’t match the fidelity and low-light performance of its Ultra sibling. If you want the absolute best cameras, you’ll need to settle for a larger phone.
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Final Thoughts
On one hand, the Xiaomi 17 doesn’t feel like a massive generational leap over the Xiaomi 15, and for that reason, I can’t imagine existing owners rushing to upgrade. On the other hand, it’s a great all-rounder, and if you’re looking for a flagship in a more compact chassis, few come close to this.
It has a significantly bigger battery and faster charging than either the iPhone 17 or Galaxy S26, and in my opinion, better cameras, too. Software is a matter of personal preference, but HyperOS is super customisable, so if there’s anything you’re not keen on, you can likely change it.
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What Xiaomi can’t quite match is the software support terms. So if you’re planning to hold onto your phone for a long time, that could play into your decision.
I have thoroughly enjoyed my time with the Xiaomi 17; it has been great for gaming, content consumption, and photography alike. It’s an easy recommendation for anyone looking for a smaller flagship phone in 2026.
How We Test
We test every mobile phone we review thoroughly. We use industry-standard tests to compare features properly and we use the phone as our main device over the review period. We’ll always tell you what we find and we never, ever, accept money to review a product.
Used as a main phone for over a week
Thorough camera testing in a variety of conditions
Tested and benchmarked using respected industry tests and real-world data
FAQs
Is the Xiaomi 17 waterproof?
Yes, the Xiaomi 17 is IP68 rated, which means it can withstand dunks in fresh water at up to 1.5 metre depths for up to 30 minutes.
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Does the Xiaomi 17 support eSIM?
Yes, the global release of the Xiaomi 17 has eSIM support (but the Chinese model doesn’t.)
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Test Data
Xiaomi 17
Geekbench 6 single core
3484
Geekbench 6 multi core
10083
Geekbench 6 GPU
23297
AI performance
21142
AI efficiency
46.4
1 hour video playback (Netflix, HDR)
4 %
30 minute gaming (light)
8 %
Time from 0-100% charge
65 min
Time from 0-50% charge
23 Min
30-min recharge (no charger included)
64 %
15-min recharge (no charger included)
33 %
Full Specs
Xiaomi 17 Review
Manufacturer
Xiaomi
Screen Size
6.3 inches
Storage Capacity
256GB, 512GB, 1TB
Rear Camera
50MP + 50MP + 50MP
Front Camera
50MP
Video Recording
Yes
IP rating
IP68
Battery
6300 mAh
Wireless charging
Yes
Fast Charging
Yes
Size (Dimensions)
71.8 x 8.1 x 151.1 MM
Weight
191 G
Operating System
HyperOS 3 (Android 16)
Release Date
2026
First Reviewed Date
28/02/2026
Resolution
1220 x 2656
HDR
Yes
Refresh Rate
120 Hz
Ports
USB-C
Chipset
Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5
RAM
12GB, 16GB
Colours
Black, Venture Green, Alpine Pink, Ice Blue, White
