The Xiaomi 17 Pro Max DxOMark camera test results have been officially released, creating a stir in the tech community. While the highly anticipated flagship model demonstrates formidable strength in photography, it ultimately falls short of breaking into the top 10, securing the 13th position globally with an overall score of 159 points.
Xiaomi 17 Pro Max DxOMark Performance Breakdown
In the comprehensive DxOMark tests, the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max trailed behind key competitors from Huawei, Vivo, Oppo, and even Apple. The device’s final score of 159 is a composite of a strong 165-point photo score and a significantly weaker 146-point video score. This discrepancy clearly highlights the camera’s strengths and weaknesses.
On paper, the 17 Pro Max boasts an impressive camera setup, which includes:
- Main Camera: 50MP, 1/1.28-inch sensor, f/1.67 aperture, dual-pixel PDAF, and OIS
- Ultra-Wide Angle: 50MP, 17mm f/2.4 lens
- Periscope Telephoto: 50MP, 115mm equivalent focal length, and OIS
This powerful hardware explains why the device performed so well in the photography segment of the tests.
Shortcomings That Hamper Its Top-Tier Ambition
In still photography, the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max truly delivers a high-end experience. The main camera is praised for its accurate white balance, pleasing color rendering, and an excellent balance between detail and noise. Furthermore, its use-case scores confirm this strength, achieving 172 points in outdoor scenes and 161 indoors. Portrait photography is another standout feature, scoring 155 points thanks to successful skin tone processing and reliable subject isolation.
However, several minor flaws prevent it from climbing higher in the rankings. Exposure consistency can vary in low-light conditions, and an orange color cast is sometimes visible when shooting under warm artificial lighting. Additionally, zoom performance yields mixed results. While the 5x optical telephoto lens provides an advantage at long distances, cropping from the main sensor for mid-range zoom leads to a loss of detail compared to its rivals.
The device’s most significant weakness, however, lies in its video capabilities. In this category, the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max is considerably behind the top 10 contenders. Although exposure and dynamic range are excellent in bright light, the video stabilization is weaker than expected for a flagship phone, with noticeable shaking even when held still. Moreover, white balance transitions can be unstable, and noise levels become distracting in low-light videos.
In conclusion, the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max offers a fantastic camera system for photography enthusiasts. Nevertheless, its shortcomings in video performance, stabilization, and zoom consistency prevent it from competing with the very best on the market.
So, what are your thoughts on the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max’s camera performance? Share your opinions with us in the comments!
