Xiaomi 17 Air (Xiaomi Slim) leaks point to 5.5mm body, 6000mAh battery and Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5

New leaks circulating online suggest that Xiaomi may be preparing its own response to the ultra-thin phones from Apple and Samsung. While the push for super-slim devices didn’t go mainstream after the iPhone Air and Galaxy S25 Edge posted weak sales, the Chinese manufacturer apparently hasn’t abandoned the concept. According to rumors, a project that had been paused is back in development and could arrive this year under the name Xiaomi Slim or Xiaomi 17 Air.

Chinese sources claim the phone will feature a 6.59-inch display and a body just 5.5 mm thick—slightly thinner than the iPhone Air. It is said to pair a flagship Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip with a 200MP main camera, eSIM support, and an ultrasonic fingerprint reader. The standout claim is a 6,000 mAh battery—a rarity for ultra-thin phones and a potential fix for their usual weak spot: battery life.

A leaked video also points to a premium design with a polished metal frame and a dual-camera setup that visually echoes the iPhone Air. That would align with chatter that the broader Xiaomi 17 line borrows several design cues from current Apple devices. Taken together, the specs look compelling and, at least on paper, position the phone as a serious rival to the thin models from Samsung and Apple.

Even so, the key question is whether the device will actually make it to market or remain a prototype. With no official word from Xiaomi, it’s too early to discuss a launch. If the company can unite a slim chassis, high performance, a capable camera, and a big battery at a sensible price, the market might finally see an ultra-thin phone that feels genuinely practical.