Written By Shubham Arora
Xiaomi 17 Air In The Works? Leak Hints At Slim Design, 200MP Camera And eSIM-Only Setup
Xiaomi is said to be working on a new ultra-slim smartphone called the Xiaomi 17 Air. The phone could feature a 200MP camera and eSIM-only setup.
Published By: Shubham Arora | Published: Oct 25, 2025, 06:09 PM (IST)
2025 was expected to be the year of ultra-slim smartphones. Samsung introduced the Galaxy S25 Edge earlier this year, followed by Apple’s iPhone Air last month. But the slim-phone wave has seen a dip since. Reports suggest both brands are facing low demand for these models, with Samsung reportedly discontinuing the Edge lineup after just one release. 
Also Read: Xiaomi 17, Xiaomi 17 Ultra launched in India with Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset
Despite the declining interest, the slim-phone experiment may not be over yet. According to tipster Digital Chat Station on Weibo, at least two major Chinese smartphone makers are testing ultra-thin and lightweight designs. Xiaomi is said to be one of them. Also Read: Xiaomi Pad 8 debuts in India with 144Hz display, Snapdragon 8s Gen 4: Specs, price and availability
Xiaomi 17 Air Tipped to Be in the Works
Tipster Smart Pikachu has claimed that Xiaomi is working on a slim smartphone, which could be dubbed as the Xiaomi 17 Air. According to the report, the rumoured phone will feature a 6.6-inch 1.5K display and a 200MP main camera – a setup even higher-end models like the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max don’t include. Also Read: Xiaomi Pad 8 price in India leaked ahead of its launch: Here’s how much it may cost
The leak also mentions eSIM-only support, with no physical SIM slot, a design choice that would help Xiaomi keep the device’s frame as slim as possible. Notably, Apple also chose the eSIM-only setup for the iPhone Air.
Xiaomi 17 Air: What to Expect
If Xiaomi goes ahead with this design approach, the 17 Air could offer a more practical take on the slim-phone concept compared to the iPhone Air or Galaxy S25 Edge. Chinese brands, including Xiaomi, have already adopted silicon-carbon battery technology, allowing for larger battery capacities in thinner devices.
For reference, the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max fits a 7,500mAh battery inside an 8mm frame. This suggests that a slim “Air” variant, possibly around 6mm thick, could still carry a battery close to 5,000mAh.
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The Xiaomi 17 Air hasn’t been officially confirmed yet, but leaks hint that it may soon join the company’s flagship lineup. More details are expected in the coming weeks.
