Xiaomi 17 Predicted to Struggle Against iPhone 17 in China
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| Xiaomi 17 series unveiled in China in September 2025. |
Xiaomi officially launched its flagship Xiaomi 17 series in China on September 25, 2025. However, things might not go as smoothly as planned.
Renowned analyst Ming-Chi Kuo predicts that sales of the new lineup could fall short compared to last year’s Xiaomi 15 series.
He estimates shipments will reach only around 8 million units—about 20% lower than the original 10 million target.
The main reasons behind this decline are weak demand for the standard model and growing competition from Apple’s iPhone 17.
Kuo explained that Xiaomi initially expected the standard model to contribute around 50–55% of sales. In reality, it only accounts for 15–20%.
Even though the Xiaomi 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max versions are receiving extra orders, they aren’t enough to offset the drop.
“The biggest problem lies in the standard model’s much lower-than-expected sales. This could drag the overall performance of the 17 series below its predecessor,” Kuo noted in his analysis.
The situation is further complicated by Apple’s aggressive push with the iPhone 17, which now comes with a 120Hz display on the base model.
This feature makes it far more appealing to consumers, especially younger buyers who value smoother visuals. As a result, many shoppers are choosing Apple over Xiaomi.
“The iPhone 17 is putting significant pressure on Xiaomi in the premium market. With Xiaomi’s market share at only about 15% in this segment, competition is heating up,” Kuo added.
If sales fail to pick up during China’s Golden Week holiday (October 1–7), which is typically a shopping peak, Xiaomi may have no choice but to slash prices to stimulate demand.
While discounts could help clear inventory, they also risk cutting into profit margins and impacting the company’s financial performance in the next quarter.
For now, Kuo’s forecast mainly concerns the Chinese market, but the ripple effect could spread globally.
If Xiaomi loses its footing in its home market, its position in the international premium smartphone space could also weaken.
For consumers, this might translate to big discounts on the Xiaomi 17 series.
But for Xiaomi, it’s a wake-up call to rethink its strategy and push harder in a highly competitive market.

