Striking new Android phone gets unique upgrade Samsung and Apple won't match
There's a new Android phone that's just been unveiled and it's like nothing we've seen before.
Samsung and Apple might have just launched shiny new smartphones, including a Galaxy S25 FE and iPhone Air, but they can't match a new device coming from Chinese firm Xiaomi. It's called the Xiaomi 17 Pro and along with featuring a huge screen on the front it also packs a mini Dynamic Back Display on the rear case as well.
The tech company says that this second panel will offer users more ways to interact with their device, including receiving notifications such as messages and emails or knowing how far away the pizza delivery person is.
It can also be transformed into a clock, switched to a mini music player or turned into a place to show useful sticky notes. Xiaomi also says the display will be fully customisable with photos of pets or people transformed into smart AI wallpapers.
Other things this screen can do include becoming a virtual pet, a flight tracker and a diary. Of course, another bonus is when shooting selfies as you can use the better dual-lens cameras to snap images of your face.
That's due to the second display acting as a mini viewfinder, so you can get the perfect frame.
"Xiaomi 17 Pro and Xiaomi 17 Pro Max introduce a revolutionary dual-screen design that blends sophisticated aesthetics with intuitive, intelligent functionality. The Dynamic Back Display enhances lifestyle and efficiency under various scenarios: customizable watch faces, AI wallpapers, virtual pets, dynamic information notifications, sticky notes, and so much more."
Along with the dual display, there are plenty of other features on this phone, including a huge battery that can be refilled at a rapid pace. Xiaomi 17 Pro series models support 100W wired charging and 50W wireless charging, which is twice as quick as the iPhone can muster.
It's also one of the very first phones to get the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor tucked inside. This chip has only just been confirmed and not only offers much-improved performance but is also far more efficient.
There's currently no UK release date for the Xiaomi 17 Pro series, which includes a standard and bigger Max version.
However, they are now on sale in China so hopefully more countries will get access soon.