Xiaomi Admits Near-Release of Ultra-Thin Smartphone Similar to iPhone Air Was Suddenly Cancelled
Design and features of the iPhone are frequently adopted by Chinese smartphone vendors to attract user interest. Xiaomi, for instance, has designed the Xiaomi 17 Pro and Xiaomi 17 Pro Max with rear camera modules reminiscent of the iPhone 17 Pro, albeit polished with interactive screens.
It has been revealed that Xiaomi had also prepared a smartphone similar to the iPhone Air, rumoured to be called the Xiaomi 17 Air, but the project was ultimately cancelled at the last minute. This was disclosed by Xiaomi President Lu Weibing during a recent live broadcast.
According to Weibing, the decision to cancel the device was based on user experience. While an ultra-thin and lightweight design is aesthetically appealing, it was determined that such a form factor requires too many compromises regarding battery endurance and performance. Weibing explained that as a device becomes thinner, it becomes increasingly difficult to equip it with large batteries, adequate cooling systems, and powerful hardware suitable for daily use.
Due to these considerations, Xiaomi concluded that a phone as thin as the iPhone Air could not meet the standards of user experience the company aims to provide. Consequently, the project was abandoned, as reported by KompasTekno via Gizmochina on Monday (18/5/2026).
Prior to Lu Weibing’s public explanation, leaks regarding Xiaomi’s thin smartphone had already circulated online. Initial glimpses of the device appeared in a video shared by leaker Bald Panda in January 2026. In the video, the device was claimed to be the Xiaomi 17 Air.
In terms of design, the thin phone appeared similar to the iPhone Air but featured a dual rear camera setup arranged horizontally. Early renders also showed an extremely slim body, with a thickness estimated at approximately 5.5 mm, slightly thinner than the iPhone 17 Air, which is expected to be around 5.6 mm.
Despite the initial design leaks, it is reported that the Xiaomi 17 Air never progressed beyond the prototype stage. Reports suggest the project was ultimately cancelled, making commercial production highly unlikely. Therefore, the leaked designs are regarded as internal design explorations by Xiaomi rather than a preview of an upcoming product launch.