Xiaomi Korea announced on January 29 the official launch of its Xiaomi 17T smartphone in the South Korean market, alongside three new AIoT products: the REDMI Headphones Neo, Xiaomi Smart Camera C201, and Xiaomi Rainbow Batteries. Pre-orders for the smartphone have also begun.
The Xiaomi 17T emphasizes camera upgrades. It features a Leica co-developed imaging system, making it the first T-series model with a 5x periscope telephoto lens. The 50-megapixel telephoto camera supports up to 120x AI zoom and optical image stabilization (OIS), catering to long-distance photography at concerts, sports events, and travel. The phone also includes "Leica Live Moment," which captures dynamic footage before and after the shutter press, aiming to enhance emotional connection between photographer and subject for more storytelling-driven images.
Display-wise, the Xiaomi 17T boasts a 6.59-inch 1.5K AMOLED screen with a 120Hz refresh rate, 3500 nits peak brightness, and Xiaomi's eye-care technology. Under the hood, it packs a MediaTek Dimensity 8500-Ultra processor, a 6,500mAh battery, and 67W wired fast charging. Available in 12GB+256GB and 12GB+512GB variants, it is priced at KRW 799,800 (approx. USD 600) and KRW 879,800 (approx. USD 660), respectively.
Alongside the phone, Xiaomi launched three AIoT devices: the REDMI Headphones Neo with active noise cancellation and 72-hour battery life, the Xiaomi Smart Camera C201 with 1080P video and AI human detection, and the Rainbow Batteries featuring leak-proof design for use in remote controls, wireless mice, and smart home devices.
Notably, Xiaomi used this launch to underscore its South Korea strategy. Xiaomi Korea General Manager Summer Peng stated that South Korea is a key global market for Xiaomi. By making the 17T available in Korea as part of its global debut, Xiaomi aims to gather consumer feedback from a market known for high-end smartphone adoption and rapid acceptance of new technologies.
Industry observers note that in a market long dominated by Samsung and Apple, Xiaomi is strengthening its brand presence through enhanced imaging, AI features, and a growing ecosystem of smart devices. The question remains whether Xiaomi can expand its share in Korea's premium smartphone segment as its product lineup and localization efforts deepen.