Xiaomi CEO Boldly Invites iPhone Users to Switch to Xiaomi 17

Ohana Magazine – Xiaomi’s founder and CEO, Lei Jun, openly invited iPhone users to switch to the Xiaomi 17 series during its launch event in Beijing last week. “Apple users, please buy Xiaomi phones,” Lei stated, sparking laughter from the audience. This bold remark highlights Xiaomi’s confidence as it positions itself as a direct competitor to Apple in the premium smartphone segment, particularly in the Chinese market.

Why Xiaomi Skipped the Number 16 and Jumped to 17

One striking detail was the company’s decision to skip the “16” and name its latest flagship Xiaomi 17. According to Xiaomi President Lu Weibing, the decision was intentional to align directly with the iPhone 17 series. He explained that Xiaomi has been benchmarking Apple for five years as part of its premium strategy. By using the same number series, Xiaomi aims to signal that it is competing at the same level as Apple’s flagship lineup.

Three Models That Mirror Apple’s Strategy

Xiaomi 17 was not only named similarly to iPhone 17 but also followed its model structure. The series is available in three versions: Xiaomi 17, Xiaomi 17 Pro, and Xiaomi 17 Pro Max. This mirrors Apple’s lineup, which includes the standard, Pro, and Pro Max models. Interestingly, the previous Xiaomi 15 lineup used the “Ultra” variant instead of Pro Max, making this shift another strategic step to directly challenge Apple’s model range.

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Xiaomi 17 Pricing Undercuts Apple’s iPhone 17

Price is another key weapon for Xiaomi in this battle. The Xiaomi 17 starts at 4,499 yuan (approximately $645 or Rp10.5 million), making it about 1,500 yuan cheaper than the base model of the iPhone 17. This pricing strategy is aimed at drawing premium-seeking customers who want cutting-edge features without paying Apple’s higher price tag.

Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 vs. Apple’s A19 Pro

At the core of its performance, the Xiaomi 17 series is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor built on a 3nm architecture. Benchmark tests indicate this chip outperforms Apple’s A19 Pro, particularly in multi-core performance. This gives Xiaomi an edge in raw processing power, appealing to users who value speed and efficiency.

Larger Battery Capacity for Longer Use

Battery life is another area where Xiaomi boasts clear superiority. The standard Xiaomi 17 packs a massive 7,000 mAh battery, nearly double the iPhone 17’s 3,692 mAh. Meanwhile, the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max offers 7,500 mAh, significantly larger than the iPhone 17 Pro Max’s 5,088 mAh. This substantial difference means users can expect much longer usage times without frequent charging.

Xiaomi’s Confidence in Competing With Apple

Through its bold marketing, competitive pricing, high-end specifications, and larger battery capacity, Xiaomi is sending a clear message: it is ready to stand toe-to-toe with Apple in the premium smartphone market. Lei Jun’s direct invitation to iPhone users reflects the company’s strong belief that Xiaomi 17 can rival, or even surpass, Apple’s flagship models. The coming months will reveal how consumers respond to this ambitious challenge.