Xiaomi is preparing the Xiaomi 17 Air to correct the mistakes of the iPhone Air and the S25 Edge

We all thought that 2025 would be the year of ultra-thin smartphones. In a way, that’s true: Samsung kicked off the trend with the Galaxy S25 Edge, followed by Apple and its iPhone Air launched in September.

However, the expected excitement did not materialize. The two giants are facing very low demand, to the point that Samsung has decided to abandon the Edge lineup after just one model.

Chinese Brands Take the Lead

This doesn’t mean that the experience of ultra-thin smartphones is over. According to leaker Digital Chat Station on Weibo, at least two of the five largest Chinese manufacturers are currently testing ultra-light and ultra-thin designs.

And Xiaomi is among them. Another informant, Smart Pikachu, claims that the brand is preparing a Xiaomi 17 Air, a “slim” version derived from the Xiaomi 17 series.

According to early leaks, the Xiaomi 17 Air will feature a 6.6-inch screen with 1.5K resolution, a main camera sensor of 200 megapixels — a module even superior to that of the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max, and full eSIM support with no physical SIM slot.

This is a logical choice for a smartphone where every cubic millimeter matters.

Thinness Without Compromising Battery Life

If Xiaomi succeeds, its model could surpass the iPhone Air or the Galaxy S25 Edge. Chinese brands are already leveraging silicon-carbon battery technology, which allows for increased energy capacity without thickening the chassis.

For evidence: the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max integrates a 7,500 mAh battery in a body that is only 8 mm thick. Thus, one can imagine that a potential “Xiaomi 17 Air” with a thickness of 6 mm could house a battery close to 5,000 mAh — an impressive feat for such a slim device.

A Still Uncertain Project

The Xiaomi 17 Air has not yet been officially confirmed by the brand. However, if the rumors hold true, Xiaomi could become the first manufacturer to successfully deliver an ultra-thin smartphone without compromising battery life.

We will closely follow any further leaks regarding this model.