Xiaomi’s T-series is where the brand cherry-picks the features that matter most from its flagship phones, trims away some of the extravagance, and delivers a phone that often ends up making more practical sense for most buyers – just enough flagship DNA without demanding flagship money. The Xiaomi 17T continues in that tradition, not just with the Leica-branded camera system leading the charge, but by doing the basics exceptionally well.
At first glance, the 17T looks quite like the compact flagship Xiaomi 17, and the overall build quality is solid, even as the polycarbonate frame doesn't have quite the same reassuring feel as aluminium. It does help it remain light at 200g, and the weight is well distributed, despite packing a sizeable battery. Available in violet, black and blue, the look is classy yet understated, and there’s IP68 water- and dust- resistance for added peace of mind. The display, a 6.59-inch, 1.5K AMOLED panel with 120Hz refresh rate and HDR10+/Dolby Vision support, is bright, colourful and tack sharp, although the adaptive refresh rate is a little indecisive, a minor quibble on an otherwise strong display!
At the core of the 17T is a mid-range MediaTek Dimensity 8500 Ultra SoC which, when paired with 12GB RAM and up to 512GB of storage, quietly gets on with the job and delivers on everyday use…although spec chases will note that the same chip is available on phones priced far lower.I found no issues in my use, and the cooling system did its job to dissipate heat during heavier tasks. HyperOS 3 has also matured nicely, although it still carries a little more visual clutter than I'd like and occasionally reminds you that Xiaomi's software experience isn't quite as refined as the competitive Android skins. That sizeable battery, a 6,500mAh battery, lasts a day and a half of casual use, and 67W fast charging (charger included in box) tops it up moderately fast.
Photography is where the Xiaomi 17T really earns its keep. The Leica-tuned triple-camera setup is led by an excellent 50MP main sensor, but it's the 50MP 5x periscope telephoto camera that steals the show from some more expensive smartphones. It captures impressively detailed zoom shots and portraits that few rivals in this segment can match, making it one of the phone's standout features. The ultrawide camera performs reliably in good light, while the 32MP selfie camera delivers pleasing results despite lacking autofocus. Overall, this is one of the strongest camera packages you'll find at this price, particularly if you enjoy shooting portraits or zoomed-in subjects. And it is this camera versatility, sans any telephoto converter add-ons, that makes it particularly compelling in the segment.
Rating: 8/10
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