Xiaomi to keep making phones with rear displays after 17 Pro Max shatters sales records

Releasing a truly innovative smartphone in 2025 is no easy feat, but Xiaomi pulled it off. The company launched the Xiaomi 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max, both featuring secondary displays on the back, and this bold move has clearly paid off big time.

Xiaomi Commits to Rear Displays in Future Flagships

In a Weibo livestream (source in Chinese), Xiaomi President Lu Weibing announced that the company will keep incorporating Dynamic Back Displays into its upcoming flagship smartphones. He revealed that they're already ramping up R&D investments to enhance the quality of these screens for the next generation of devices.

This choice stems from the runaway success of the Xiaomi 17 series, which reportedly saw a 20% sales boost over last year. The standout star? The Xiaomi 17 Pro Max, which smashed first-day domestic sales records.

What's the Rear Display For?

Unlike Apple's iPhone 17 and 17 Pro Max, Xiaomi's 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max integrate a "camera plateau" with a built-in secondary screen. It's a 2.66-inch OLED panel boasting 904 x 572 resolution, up to 120Hz refresh rate, and peak brightness of 3,500 nits. Much like the cover screen on modern flip phones, it handles custom wallpapers, basic widgets, a selfie viewfinder, and a handful of other handy features.

Given Xiaomi's recent reveal, it wouldn't be shocking to see an expanded version in the potential Xiaomi 18 lineup. Lu Weibing hinted at ongoing upgrades, including a real-time translation feature for the current-gen displays.

Sticking with a Signature Feature is a Smart Play

One of my main gripes with gimmicks like Xiaomi's rear display is that they're often flash-in-the-pan experiments. Too many brands toss out wild concepts but bail before they can evolve. That's why Xiaomi's dedication here is commendable. I'm still on the fence about its everyday utility, but at least now it's got legs for the long haul.