Phone (3a)
Xiaomi 17
🏆 Verdict
Xiaomi 17 is the better pick overall by 32.6 points, leading in Charging, Performance and Battery. The gap is large; Phone (3a) only makes sense for a lower price or one specific feature.
By category
Performance
Xiaomi 17 is faster with the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (performance index 100 vs 52). You notice it in heavy games and video editing, less in daily use. Xiaomi 17 has more RAM (16 GB vs 12 GB), which helps multitasking.
Camera
Xiaomi 17 zooms further optically (2.6× vs 2×).
Battery
Xiaomi 17's battery is 2,000 mAh larger (7,000 vs 5,000 mAh), about 40% more. Real battery life also depends on chip and display efficiency.
Charging
Xiaomi 17 charges faster over cable (100W vs 50W). Only Xiaomi 17 supports wireless charging.
Display
Phone (3a) has the larger screen (6.77" vs 6.3"). Xiaomi 17's screen gets brighter (3,500 vs 3,000 nits), which shows outdoors. Xiaomi 17's screen is sharper (464 vs 388 ppi).
Build & durability
Xiaomi 17 is rated IP68 vs IP64 on the other.
Updates
Xiaomi 17 should get OS updates for longer (4 vs 3 years, per the maker's policy at launch).
Specifications
| Phone (3a) | Xiaomi 17 | |
|---|---|---|
| Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 | Chipset | Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 |
| 8 GB / 12 GB | RAM | 12 GB / 16 GB |
| 128 GB / 256 GB | Storage | 256 GB / 512 GB / 1 TB |
| 6.77" AMOLED | Display | 6.3" LTPO AMOLED |
| 120 Hz | Refresh rate | 120 Hz |
| 2392×1080 (388 ppi) | Resolution | 2656×1220 (464 ppi) |
| 3,000 nits | Peak brightness | 3,500 nits |
| 50 MP | Main camera | 50 MP |
| 8 MP | Ultrawide | 50 MP |
| 50 MP · 2× | Telephoto | 50 MP · 2.6× |
| 32 MP | Front camera | 32 MP |
| 5,000 mAh | Battery | 7,000 mAh |
| 50 W | Wired charging | 100 W |
| None | Wireless charging | 50 W |
| IP64 | Water & dust rating | IP68 |
| plastic | Frame | aluminium |
| 201 g | Weight | 191 g |
| 3 years | OS updates (estimated) | 4 years |
| $379 | Launch price | CNY 4,499 (≈ $630) |
| 2025-03 | Released | 2025-09 |
Official source: Phone (3a) · Official source: Xiaomi 17
⚠ Data pending confirmation: Xiaomi 17
Phone (3a)
Pros
- 6.77" screen
- Lower price ($379)
Cons
- Slower chip
- Smaller battery
- Slower charging (50W)
- No wireless charging
Xiaomi 17
Pros
- Faster chip (Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5)
- 16 GB RAM
- 2.6× optical zoom
- 7,000 mAh battery
- 100W charging
Cons
- Pricier ($630)
How is the score calculated?
Each phone gets 0–100 points in seven categories (performance, camera, battery, charging, display, build, updates), computed only from its published specs, then combined with fixed, published weights. A gap under 2.5 points counts as a tie. The performance index is an estimate based on benchmark results published at launch.
Figures come from the manufacturers’ official pages. Some specs vary by market. We do not sell devices or earn commissions.