Xiaomi has expanded its tech portfolio with the release of several new products at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, including the flagship Xiaomi 17 and Xiaomi 17 Ultra smartphones, the Xiaomi Watch 5 smartwatch, the Redmi Buds 8 Pro earbuds, and a new tracking device, the Xiaomi Tag. This launch underscores Xiaomi’s strategy of competing directly with established brands in multiple tech categories.
New Xiaomi 17 Lineup: Specs and Features
The Xiaomi 17 is positioned as a high-end Android smartphone, rivaling non-Pro iPhones with a 6.3-inch 120Hz OLED display, the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip, up to 12GB of RAM, and a substantial 6,330mAh battery supporting 100W fast charging. It boasts a Leica-branded triple 50-megapixel camera system (main, telephoto, and ultra-wide) and a 50-megapixel front camera. The device comes in several colors, including Venture Green, Black, Alpine Pink, and Ice Blue.
Notably, the Xiaomi 17 has a clean design with glass on both sides and feels balanced in hand, unlike its heavier Ultra counterpart. Xiaomi also released an optional magnetic battery pack that wirelessly charges the phone when attached. However, the battery pack does not fit the Xiaomi 17 Ultra due to its larger camera bump.
Xiaomi Watch 5: A Sturdy Smartwatch Upgrade
The Xiaomi Watch 5 runs Xiaomi’s HyperOS 3 on a 1.54-inch AMOLED display, housed in a stainless steel frame. It’s powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon W5 Gen 1 chip and features a 930mAh battery. This model is an upgrade from the Watch S4, offering a larger display and doubled battery capacity. The watch includes health tracking features like an EMG sensor and ECG heart rate sensor.
Redmi Buds 8 Pro: Feature-Packed Earbuds
The Redmi Buds 8 Pro earbuds offer hi-res audio, active noise cancellation, and up to 36 hours of battery life. They feature a noise reduction system capable of handling up to 95dB of external noise, making them suitable for noisy environments. Additional features include Dolby Audio support, dynamic head tracking, and IP54 dust and water resistance.
Xiaomi Tag: Apple AirTag Competitor
For the first time, Xiaomi has entered the tracking device market with the Xiaomi Tag, a white puck designed to attach to keys or other valuables. What sets it apart is its compatibility with Apple’s Find My network, making it a direct competitor to Apple’s AirTag. Tests confirm it works seamlessly with the Find My app, though it does not support Apple’s Precision Tracking feature.
These new releases show that Xiaomi is aggressively pursuing a wider footprint in the consumer tech landscape, directly challenging major players like Apple and Samsung across multiple product categories. The company’s ability to deliver competitive features at aggressive price points positions it as a serious contender in the global market.
