A leak teases a new Xiaomi 17-series flagship with a 6.8–6.9-inch flat display, Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, and periscope zoom, tipped for a 2026 debut in China.
© A. Krivonosov
Xiaomi doesn’t seem finished with its 17 series just yet. Despite the recent debut of the Xiaomi 17 Ultra in China, a fresh leak points to another model now undergoing closed testing. The device is shaping up to be a kind of late-cycle flagship—an option for those who want power but aren’t convinced by the current design language.
According to sources, the phone will feature a large 6.8–6.9-inch display. The headline change, however, isn’t size but shape: instead of the curved panels that have dominated the premium tier in recent years, this model is said to use a completely flat screen with slim, symmetrical bezels. That direction increasingly resonates with users weary of glare and accidental touches on curved glass, and it naturally suits gaming and work.
Under the hood sits Qualcomm’s top-end Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5. By the time the phone arrives in the first half of 2026, the platform is expected to be thoroughly refined, which could benefit stability and thermal behavior. The main camera won’t be pared back either: leaks point to a periscope telephoto, likely inherited from the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max, reinforcing the device’s premium credentials.
All told, Xiaomi appears to be preparing a flagship for a narrow but demanding crowd—those who find the Ultra too bulky and the standard Pro versions not quite compelling enough. Preliminary information suggests the global market will see the Xiaomi 17 and 17 Ultra in spring 2026, while this mystery model may debut in China shortly after, continuing Xiaomi’s habit of keeping the lineup in constant motion.