Xiaomi’s latest leak signals a real rival to iPhone Air and Galaxy Edge

Xiaomi might be preparing its own answer to the thin-phone trend, and thanks to recent leaks, we now have a clearer picture of what the device could offer – even if we still don’t know for sure whether it will actually launch.

The thin phone trend and Xiaomi’s move

Last year saw the Galaxy S25 Edge and iPhone Air spark interest in ultra-slim phones, but sales for both devices reportedly fell short of expectations. That apparently caused several manufacturers to reconsider or delay their plans for similar slim devices, and Xiaomi seemed to put its own thin-phone project on hold.

Rumors, however, have resurfaced suggesting a Xiaomi Slim or Air model could still arrive this year. While nothing is confirmed, leaks have started giving us a sneak peek at what the phone might pack, which is exciting, whether it ever reaches the market or remains just a prototype.

According to reports from China, the phone – referred to as either the Xiaomi Slim or 17 Air – could feature a 6.59-inch display and measure just 5.5mm thick, making it slightly thinner than Apple’s iPhone Air by 0.1mm.

Powering the device would reportedly be the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset, paired with a 200 MP main camera, eSIM support, a 3D ultrasonic fingerprint sensor, and a surprisingly large 6,000mAh battery.

If true, that would be one of the largest batteries ever seen in an ultra-thin phone, addressing one of the biggest complaints users have about slim devices: poor battery life.

A 6,000mAh battery could make a huge difference for anyone wary of thin phones dying too fast. If Xiaomi manages to deliver long-lasting battery life without compromising the slim form factor, the phone could actually make sense as a real-world device.

Besides the specs, a leaked video suggests the phone would carry a polished, premium look. On the back, we see a dual-camera setup housed in a glassy metal island, echoing the iPhone Air’s design language. And to be honest, this is not that surprising. The Xiaomi 17 series shares design cues with Apple’s iPhone 17 lineup, so it makes sense that the rumored Air model could resemble Apple’s Air in style.

The rest of the rear panel appears to be matte glass, and the overall impression is just how thin the device looks.