The Xiaomi 17T offers several meaningful upgrades compared to its predecessor, including an improved camera array, enhanced battery life, and more stylish color choices. Key features include a new 5x telephoto lens with a 50MP sensor, marking an improvement over previous generations. Powering the device is the MediaTek Dimensity 8500 Ultra SoC, providing reasonable mid-range performance for its price point. Users can benefit from a significant 6500mAh battery, offering excellent endurance.
Though described as a somewhat watered-down version of the Xiaomi 17T Pro, the 17T still boasts formidable specifications when compared to modern mid-range rivals like the Honor 600, Samsung Galaxy A57 5G, and Xiaomi’s Redmi Note 15 Plus 5G, all while maintaining a competitive price of £649.
In terms of design, the 17T retains a look similar to the previous 15T, avoiding a drastic redesign. The phone features a mix of pleasant, polished, and brushed surfaces, giving it a nearly pearlescent quality. While it still uses a predominantly plastic frame, the camera bump has been downsized and is shallow, allowing the phone to sit properly on a desk without a case.
The display specifications include a slightly smaller 6.59-inch screen, which offers a more compact in-hand feel compared to the older 15T. The screen maintains a 120Hz refresh rate and a 1268×2756 resolution. While the phone lacks LTPO technology, the high refresh rate contributes to general zippiness. The device operates with the MediaTek Dimensity 8500 Ultra SoC, coupled with 12GB of RAM and options for 256GB or 512GB internal storage.
Performance testing using benchmarks like Geekbench 6 placed the 17T’s single-core and multi-threaded scores more in line with phones on a lower price ladder, rather than a higher one. Additionally, the phone runs on Xiaomi’s HyperOS Android skin, which is noted for its lack of polish and the inclusion of pre-installed software.
Overall, the Xiaomi 17T is described as the best T-suffixed non-Pro phone from Xiaomi yet, offering considerable improvements despite performance feeling slightly lacking against certain key rivals.
Source: Trusted Reviews