Xiaomi 17 Air’s launch unclear amid slow demand

So far this year, the smartphone industry has seen the launch of two major ultra-thin devices, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge (review) and the iPhone Air. These models cater to users who value sleek aesthetics and portability more than battery endurance or top-tier performance. However, while early reports suggested that Xiaomi was also working on its own ultra-thin device, recent remarks by Xiaomi Group President Lu Weibing have cast serious doubts over the existence of the Xiaomi 17 Air.

Xiaomi 17 Air’s existence in question

In a recent post on Weibo, Lu Weibing discussed the growing trend of ultra-thin smartphones, describing it as a bold yet challenging direction for innovation. He cautioned that extreme thinness often comes with trade-offs that directly impact the overall user experience. These compromises include reduced battery life, weaker thermal performance, lower processing power, and camera limitations.

Weibing further pointed out that, based on early sales data, ultra-thin smartphones remain a niche product rather than a mainstream success. According to him, the true measure of their success will depend on how consistently users continue to use them over time rather than on initial hype or design appeal.

Adding to this sentiment, well-known tech blogger Digital Chat Station revealed that the iPhone Air recorded just over 50,000 activations in its first week of sales, which is considered underwhelming for a flagship Apple device. The iPhone Air, which launched in China on October 22, is the country’s first smartphone to rely solely on eSIM technology, removing the physical SIM slot entirely.

DCS also claimed that the slow market performance of ultra-thin flagships has already forced one major Chinese smartphone maker to suspend its own ultra-thin “Air” project, which was initially planned for a first-half 2026 launch. Although he did not name the brand directly, it is widely believed he was referring to Xiaomi.

A previous report had indicated that the Xiaomi 17 Air (tentative name) could feature a 6.6-inch OLED display with 1.5K resolution, a single 200MP rear camera, eSIM support, and an ultra-slim design. However, given recent developments, its release now appears uncertain.

Lukewarm market response

The lukewarm response to Apple’s iPhone Air seems to have sent ripples across the industry. Several Chinese smartphone brands are reportedly re-evaluating or pausing their ultra-thin phone projects, wary of replicating Apple’s disappointing demand.

Renowned analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has also reported that iPhone Air demand is lower than expected, prompting Apple’s supply chain partners to scale back production plans into 2026. This broader cooling interest may indicate that while ultra-thin phones succeed as design showcases, they still struggle to balance practicality, performance, and durability, the three key factors that define user satisfaction.

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Stay tuned to Unboxed by Croma for more updates on upcoming Xiaomi flagships and emerging smartphone trends.