Xiaomi 17 Air In The Works? Leak Hints At Slim Design, 200MP Camera And eSIM-Only Setup

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 Pad 9 Pro Might Not Launch In India: Here’s What The Latest Leak Reveals

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: 7 Best Smart TVs Under Rs 45,000 To Buy Right Now

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.

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.

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.