The Redmi Note 17 Pro Max has some impressive credentials, but is ultimately let down by performance and camera quality that don't match the price tag.
- Massive battery
- Big, bright screen
- Durability
- Downgraded camera array
- Performance could be snappier
- Higher price tag compared to last year
AI data centres aren’t just chewing through our natural resources; they’re also making our devices more expensive. As they demand huge amounts of memory and storage, it becomes increasingly harder, and more expensive, for companies to manufacture phones with those same parts.
In a climate where the component crisis is making everything more expensive, the Redmi Note 17 Pro Max does try to hold its own.
It’s still an impressive all-rounder, but is undermined by compromises in all the wrong places. It's seen downgrades in the camera and processor departments that fail to compete with last year’s offering, all while bearing a higher price tag. While Xiaomi can’t be blamed for the impact of the global memory supply shortage, it’s clear they’re still trying to strike the right equilibrium in this new normal.
The peaks
Out of the box, the Redmi Note 17 Pro Max leaves a largely positive impression.
Its battery is an absolute tank at 9,210mAh, complete with 100W HyperCharge and 27W reverse wired charging. During testing, I was able to get through over two days at moderate to full use, which means it will last even longer in standby mode. Given how massive the battery is, I expected it to be heavier, but it's surprisingly lightweight and easy to hold.
The dimensions are similar to the Galaxy S26 Ultra, though chunkier and a little heavier. It comes in three colours: black, green, and cloud blush.
Cloud blush is the obvious winner here. The back bears a white base, though once you tilt it up toward the sunlight, you’ll see it shimmer with pink and orange hues. This glamorous, iridescent effect is reminiscent of fairy floss, and the way it shimmers is simply angelic. It’s a shame the colour is hidden when you pop on the standard Note 17 Pro Max case, because it’s worthy of all the attention it can get!
The 6.83-inch, 120Hz AMOLED display is vibrant, yet easy on the eyes, with the same scratch-resistant Gorilla Glass Victus 2 screen used on flagship phones like the Samsung Galaxy S26 and Google Pixel 11. It’s slightly brighter with a 3,500-nit display, up from 3,200 nits, and is covered by an IP68 weather rating. That's better than what you'd normally get for a phone in this price bracket! Especially since it comes with the added benefit of being a phone you won’t have to coddle.
The pits
After reviewing the Redmi Note 15 Pro Plus last year, I was keen to take the Note 17 Pro Max for a spin. Bearing the Pro Max moniker, my expectations were heightened. Even though it wasn’t an exciting phone to begin with, it felt like it earned its spot in the marketplace. The absence of AI features was refreshing; the battery went above and beyond, and even though there was room for improvement with the camera, it got the job done.
While the Redmi Note 17 Pro Max isn’t without its strengths, it fails to live up to its predecessor.
Performance, for example, is a clear downgrade from last year’s model. The Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 processor did most of the heavy lifting on the Note 15 Pro Plus. It was generally quite snappy save for the occasional stutter. Instead of using the same processor, Xiaomi have opted for the Snapdragon 6 Gen 5, so you’re effectively paying a higher price for weaker performance.
It fared mostly fine for scrolling socials, though stutters became more common while multitasking and using maps while out and about. There was considerable lag while playing Genshin Impact, even on the lowest graphics settings. As the phone got warmer and I started engaging in boss battles, the stuttering got more frequent. Something slower like Heartopia was fine, though. Phones at a similar price point, like the Pixel 10a and Nothing Phone 4a Pro don't typically struggle with this kind of gaming.
Given the photography-focused branding and Xiaomi’s ties with Leica, I was expecting similar camera specs to the 15 Note Pro Plus. Marketed as a flagship-level camera system, the Redmi Note 17 Pro Max is anything but. The camera array is simple, with a single 50MP, 8MP ultra-wide, and 32MP selfie camera. While Xiaomi have tried to add some value with a slew of AI editing tools, not much can replace a decent camera. The main camera fares okay at 50MP, but the 200MP main camera is missed dearly.
It somehow struggles in both low-light and well-lit environments. Images at night are prone to appearing underexposed, while pictures on sunny days appear overexposed. The zoom, especially in low light, is prone to producing blurry photos. Even with a steady hand and optimal lighting conditions, I still managed to capture a few blurry pics here and there. Overall, images tend to look overprocessed.
That being said, colours do look true to life, and it captures motion better than I anticipated, albeit with some blur.
Redmi Note 17 Pro Max camera samples
For a sense of what the camera on the Xiaomi Redmi Note 17 Pro Max 5G can do fresh out of the box, check out the image gallery below. Click or tap on any photo to see a larger version.
While it shines in some areas and leaves a generally positive impression, it leaves more to be desired.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 17 Pro Max 5G - Final Thoughts
The Redmi Note 17 Pro Max has areas where it shines. It stands firm on its commitment to durability and reliability, with a flagship-quality screen, a tank-like battery and a gorgeous iridescent colourway. But it’s not enough to pull away from the obvious compromises in important areas. While it’s still a serviceable phone, I expected more from it - especially given the asking price.
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Hannah Geremia
Digital Content Editor
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