two similar brothers focused on very different audiences

Now that the new Xiaomi 17 and Xiaomi 17 Ultra have been announced, it is worth stopping to think about which one best fits what we are looking for. Should we opt for a better battery or a more versatile camera system? Do we want a smaller phone or do we prefer a bigger one? Let’s review the key differences of the new generation of Xiaomi.

The differences between the Xiaomi 17 and Xiaomi 17 Ultra

Bigger or smaller

The most obvious difference between the two phones centers on the size. The Xiaomi 17 has a diagonal of 6.3 inches while that of the Xiaomi 17 Ultra is 6.9 inches. Here we have to play with experience: do we feel comfortable using a mobile phone that is almost 7 inches? If the answer is no, the choice is clear. Because in addition to size there is another factor that influences: the weight. The Xiaomi 17 Ultra weighs 27 grams more, something that can be noticed when using it with one hand.

Stay with this: we have to know if when using a cell phone, or when putting it in our pocket, we will feel comfortable due to size or weight. Because in the design, these are the two big differences, since in everything else we are practically talking about twin brothers. For example, both phones offer a 120 Hz refresh rate so that the phone looks much more fluid when playing games or navigating through the menus.

Both displays also offer 3,500 nits of peak brightness, ensuring they look great outdoors. They are also compatible with Dolby Vision and HDR10+, two image formats that add a broader color palette. What does vary is the resolution due to the size of the screens, but it is not something that is noticeable with the naked eye.

Processor and RAM and storage configurations

While it is true that in the same generation mobile phones are usually differentiated by the processor (among other things), not here: both the Xiaomi 17 and the Xiaomi 17 Ultra come with the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5which is the most powerful processor currently available in Android phones.

Where we do find a difference is in the RAM and storage configurations. The Xiaomi 17 is available with two configurations of 256 GB and 512 GB of internal storage, while the Xiaomi 17 Ultra starts at 512 GB and is available with a 1 TB version. Depending on how many photos, videos, or files you want to save, you may want more or less storage.

The same goes for RAM.: The Xiaomi 17 is only available with 12 GB, and the Xiaomi 17 Ultra is only available with 16 GB. This is important because the market is moving towards artificial intelligence: if you want to process AI locally, the more RAM memory the mobile has, the better. If it is not something that is part of your plans, you will be able to notice the difference when running several apps at the same time, although in both cases you should not have any problems because 12 and 16 GB are good RAM figures for a mobile phone.

More size does not mean more battery

That a mobile phone is larger means that it can contain a larger battery, but this is not always the case and the new generation of Xiaomi makes it completely clear to us: the Xiaomi 17 incorporates a 6,330 mAh battery and the Xiaomi 17 Ultra comes with a 6,000 mAh battery.

The difference is small, so will this be noticeable in practice? Yes, and it will probably be quite noticeable. The larger the screen, the more battery a mobile will consume. Taking into account that the Xiaomi 17 comes with a larger battery and a smaller screen, we will have more hours of autonomy on a single charge.

In addition, it should also be noted that the two phones do not charge with the same power. The Xiaomi 17 offers 100W and the Xiaomi 17 Ultra offers 90W. The difference is small, but enough so that the cheapest mobile phone can have the battery fully charged in less time.

A review of the photographic section

The biggest difference between these phones is in their photography section. In both cases we once again have the Leica collaboration and both the front camera and the main sensor are the same. The difference is both in the ultra wide angle, which the Xiaomi 17 Ultra has a larger aperture, and especially in the telephoto lens.

The Xiaomi 17 incorporates a 50 MP f/2.0 telephoto lens, which means that it has a very interesting aperture for taking photos in environments with more complicated lighting, such as indoors or sunsets. Instead, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra comes with a 200 MP telephoto lens with variable aperture between f/2.30 and f/2.96, allowing you to capture photos with better resolution with or without zoom.

In addition, there is a quite interesting point: the Xiaomi 17 Ultra is the only mobile phone that is compatible with both photography kits of the brand. They are two accessories that are a great addition if what we are looking for is to have a photographic experience. In the previous generation (that of Xiaomi 15 Ultra) its corresponding photographic kit we liked it a lot.

In summary: which Xiaomi mobile to choose according to your tastes and needs

Why choose the Xiaomi 17

The Xiaomi 17 is no worse, it is a mobile phone that is focused on other types of users and that stands out in some sections:

• Best battery. The Xiaomi 17 has a larger capacity battery and its charging power is also greater.
• smaller size. As it is a smaller mobile phone, it is more comfortable to carry in your pocket.
• Good photographic section. It will not have the telephoto lens of the Xiaomi 17 Ultra, but its cameras are ideal for the widest range of users.
• Price. It is the new generation mobile with the best quality-price ratio, so if its features are enough for you, you can save the almost 500 euros difference compared to the 17 Ultra.

Why choose the Xiaomi 17 Ultra

The Xiaomi 17 Ultra is not only a larger phone than its little brother, but it has certain peculiarities:

• Higher RAM and storage configuration. The Xiaomi 17 Ultra starts with 16 GB of RAM (ideal for processing AI locally) and 512 GB of internal storage. Additionally, a 1TB version is available.
• Your battery. Although it does not have the figures that we see in the Xiaomi 17, the 17 Ultra’s battery offers good charging power, higher than that of phones from other brands such as Samsung or Apple.
• Your section photographic. This is one of the key pieces of this mobile, especially in relation to the telephoto lens. In addition, it is compatible with the brand’s two photographic kits.
• Price. If you are going to take advantage of the features of the Xiaomi 17 Ultra, especially in relation to its camera, it is worth the additional expense.

Technical sheet with the main differences between the Xiaomi 17 and Xiaomi 17 Ultra

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Images | Xataka, Xiaomi

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