Xiaomi has unveiled a smartphone line-up that bears a name strikingly similar to its major rival in Cupertino, California, but there is a twist that is causing people to give the Chinese devices a second look – literally.
The world's third-largest vendor of smartphones showed off the Xiaomi 17 series on Thursday, with its highest-end versions called the 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max.
Those names sound very familiar, don't they?
Naming aside, there are some significant differences between the phones. We are taking this as Xiaomi sending a message to Apple, and to a certain extent, the makers of the Nothing phone.
The lowdown
To simplify things, we'll take a look at the Pro Max versions from Xiaomi and Apple, which are basically larger versions of their Pro counterparts.
Both phones have 6.9-inch (17.5cm) displays, making them sizeable flagships.
Cameras are in the same ballpark too, with the iPhone 17 Pro Max swinging three 48MP cameras , while the Xiaomi has three 50MP cameras.
But while Apple is talking up its 39 hours of battery life, with capacity of 5088mAh, the humongous 7500mAh battery on the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max could, in theory, hit 60 hours.
Where Xiaomi really has Apple beat is a new second display located on the rear camera block, using cut-outs to accommodate two of the lenses.
That screen, which Xiaomi calls Dynamic Back Display (dynamic; there goes another familiar name), is a touchscreen that has "customisable watch faces, AI wallpapers, virtual pets, dynamic information notifications, sticky notes and so much more", the company said.
That could prove to be a huge draw for users looking for a futuristic feel in their devices.
The 'competition'
Now, this isn't the first time we've seen a second display – and by display, we are including anything that shows any sort of information from a smartphone. Just ask ask those who have foldable devices, especially from Samsung Electronics.
And this is how we also drag Nothing into this; the UK-based company already has its own take displays other than the main ones with its famous glyphs (which were really toned down, yet we deemed more functional, in the Phone (3)).
But probably the biggest call-back here is the YotaPhone, which ran through the mid-2010s and had a second screen on the back that used e-ink, similar to the Amazon Kindle line (didn't catch on).
The National hasn't tested the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max, so it will be unfair to judge its Dynamic Back Display – and overall utility – without actually handling it.
For now, we can say a second screen can be good for maintaining more privacy for your phone, as you can simply flip the device over to see the latest notifications. Then again, we are still unclear on what information it will actually display.
Also, this whole thing, technically, has been on the Samsung Galaxy Z Flips for six years now.
But this, we can say for sure: Xiaomi's offering is a step up – a big one, for our money – when it comes to utilising the side of smartphones we tend to overlook.
And, of course, there is pricing. While the iPhone 17 series ranges from $799 to $1,599, Xiaomi's set runs from 4,499 yuan to 6,999 yuan, or $630 to $980 (up to their respective 1TB models, as Xiaomi doesn't have a 2TB version).
Xiaomi says their new devices will be available from Saturday. Its UAE website, however, makes no mention of availability as of the time of writing.
What's in a name?
Apple has used the Pro and Pro Max branding since the iPhone 11, and Max since the iPhone XS (that's "10-S", for those still confused). That means a total of seven Pro Maxes and eight Maxes from Apple.
And while this is the first time Xiaomi has used Pro Max, it has more than a hundred devices donning Pro on them. But overall, more than 1,000 smartphones have the Pro naming, according to data from GSMArena. Those with Max, meanwhile, are just a shade over 530.
Naturally, Xiaomi's decision to use designations mainly associated with Apple may cause some talk. However, Xiaomi has been candid that it has opted to name its devices 17 because it wants to keep up with Apple’s numbering.
Besides, this is not the first time something like this has happened. Redmi – also from Xiaomi – has already used the Note name, which was a Samsung tradition before it was discontinued in 2021. Xiaomi still uses the Note branding, with the latest released only last month.
There's no guarantee what comes next. Chinese manufacturers are known to avoid numbers that they consider unlucky, with some buildings not having a fourth floor, 14th floor or 24th floor and so on.
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Monday, Oct 6 – Second T20I
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Key findings of Jenkins report
- Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
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- Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
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- Technology expert in robotics and automation: Dh20,000 to Dh40,000
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Milestones on the road to union
1970
October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar.
December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.
1971
March 1: Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.
July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.
July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.
August 6: The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.
August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.
September 3: Qatar becomes independent.
November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.
November 29: At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.
November 30: Despite a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa.
November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties
December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.
December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.
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- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
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- 600-seat auditorium
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- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
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- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
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- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
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The flights
Whether you trek after mountain gorillas in Rwanda, Uganda or the Congo, the most convenient international airport is in Rwanda’s capital city, Kigali. There are direct flights from Dubai a couple of days a week with RwandAir. Otherwise, an indirect route is available via Nairobi with Kenya Airways. Flydubai flies to Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of Congo, via Entebbe in Uganda. Expect to pay from US$350 (Dh1,286) return, including taxes.
The tours
Superb ape-watching tours that take in all three gorilla countries mentioned above are run by Natural World Safaris. In September, the company will be operating a unique Ugandan ape safari guided by well-known primatologist Ben Garrod.
In the Democratic Republic of Congo, local operator Kivu Travel can organise pretty much any kind of safari throughout the Virunga National Park and elsewhere in eastern Congo.
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
