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Ann Cao

Chinese smartphone maker Xiaomi has stepped up its overseas expansion with the global launch of its flagship Xiaomi 17 series in Barcelona, in its latest effort to challenge Apple and Samsung in the premium segment.
The launch event, held on Saturday ahead of MWC Barcelona, marked the overseas release of Xiaomi 17 and Xiaomi 17 Ultra, months after the company launched the Xiaomi 17 series domestically.
As with the domestic versions, both models are powered by the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor, with a starting price of €999 (US$1,180) for Xiaomi 17 and €1,499 for Xiaomi 17 Ultra.
The latest handsets are set to compete directly with Apple and Samsung in the premium smartphone segment, defined as handsets costing more than US$600. By comparison, Samsung’s Galaxy S26 starts at US$900, while Apple’s iPhone 17 has a starting retail price of US$800.
Beijing-based Xiaomi maintained its third position in the global smartphone market in the fourth quarter of 2025, according to data from tech research firm Counterpoint. With an 11 per cent share, it followed Apple’s 25 per cent and Samsung’s 18 per cent.

The Xiaomi 17 series, unveiled in China last September, features the Xiaomi 17, 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max, with a 17 Ultra variant released later in December. The models were launched about two weeks after Apple introduced its iPhone 17 models.
The latest event also served as a showcase for Xiaomi’s broader hardware ambitions. Alongside the phones, the company debuted the Xiaomi Pad 8 tablet series, the Watch 5 smartwatch, and introduced Vision Gran Turismo, a visionary electric hypercar.
Amid the global expansion effort, Lei Jun, founder, chairman and CEO of Xiaomi, reiterated a commitment to invest 200 billion yuan (US$29 billion) in research and development (R&D) over the next five years, as the company doubled down on “core technologies” including chips, artificial intelligence and operating systems.
At an internal corporate event last month, Lei said Xiaomi expected to integrate its in-house chip, operating system and self-developed large artificial intelligence model in a single device this year.
Xiaomi had already invested more than 100 billion yuan in R&D over the past five years, achieving breakthroughs in self-developed chips and other core technologies, according to the company.


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The launch ahead of MWC Barcelona showcases Xiaomi’s push into premium market with new phones, tablet, smartwatch and concept hypercar


The launch ahead of MWC Barcelona showcases Xiaomi’s push into premium market with new phones, tablet, smartwatch and concept hypercar.


China’s Xiaomi launches premium smartphone 17 series globally to challenge Apple, Samsung

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}The launch ahead of MWC Barcelona showcases Xiaomi’s push into premium market with new phones, tablet, smartwatch and concept hypercar

The launch ahead of MWC Barcelona showcases Xiaomi’s push into premium market with new phones, tablet, smartwatch and concept hypercar