The upcoming device is rumored to feature enhanced specifications packed inside an ultra-thin body.
2025 marked the rise of the “slim smartphone” trend. It began with Samsung and reached its peak with Apple’s iPhone Air. While both tech giants appear to have lost interest in continuing this series, Xiaomi seems ready to take over the space.
Xiaomi 17 Air is reportedly in development
According to tipster Smart Pikachu on Weibo, Xiaomi is working on a sleek smartphone called the Xiaomi 17 Air. It is expected to sport a 6.6-inch 1.5K display and a 200 MP main camera.
Interestingly, the 17 Air might rely solely on e-SIM technology, which is understandable since ultra-slim phones often sacrifice the physical SIM slot to save internal space. Apart from this, the tipster hasn’t revealed further details about the phone’s hardware.
However, based on a separate leak by Digital Chat Station (DCS), the Xiaomi 17 Air could measure around 6mm thick, placing it in the same league as the Galaxy S25 Edge, iPhone Air, and Tecno Pova Slim, all measuring between 5mm to 6mm.
At a time when the Samsung Galaxy S26 Edge and the next iPhone Air might be discontinued, Xiaomi seems determined to keep the slim phone trend thriving into 2026—and that could be a positive move.
Samsung and Apple reportedly pulled back from their slim models due to limited battery capacity. But that issue doesn’t seem to affect Chinese manufacturers. Many, including Xiaomi, have already integrated silicon-carbon battery technology, allowing higher capacity in smaller builds.
Therefore, a 6mm-thick Xiaomi 17 Air could potentially house a 6,000mAh battery or more. For comparison, Xiaomi’s 17 Pro Max, which is 8mm thick, already packs a 7,500mAh battery. So, a large-capacity battery in the slim 17 Air doesn’t sound far-fetched.
Currently, details about the smartphone remain scarce as it’s still in the early leak phase. More information is expected soon, and updates will follow once substantial details surface.
