Xiaomi’s highly anticipated new 17 series smartphones have disappointed with their initial shipment figures. While the series stands out with its powerful features, total sales targets have been lowered.

Xiaomi 17 sales fall short of expectations

Xiaomi introduced three models this year: the Xiaomi 17, 17 Pro, and 17 Pro Max. These devices featured innovations such as the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor, larger batteries, and a rear display on the Pro models. While initial reception was positive and pre-orders were reportedly strong, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo presented a different picture.

Ming-Chi Kuo stated that the total shipment target for the Xiaomi 17 series has decreased by 20% from 10 million units to 8 million. Kuo warned that without improvements in pricing or marketing, total shipments of the 17 series could even fall below the approximately 8 million units shipped by the previous 15 series.

The standard Xiaomi 17 model appears to be the primary driver of the sales decline. The base model was expected to account for 50-55% of the entire 17 series shipments. However, after launch, this share has been hovering around 15-20%.

Despite high orders for the Pro models, they are not offsetting the significant loss in the standard model. Kuo argues that this low demand for the base model is directly due to strong demand for the standard iPhone 17. Apple, particularly in China, offers an attractive option for users who prefer not to pay flagship prices with the upgrades offered by the base iPhone 17.

Kuo also predicts that Apple will introduce the more affordable iPhone 17e in the first half of 2026. This move is expected to further increase pressure on Chinese competitors and end Apple’s poor performance in the Chinese market.