Xiaomi explains why it scrapped an iPhone Air-style ultra-thin phone

Chinese smartphone vendors often adopt the iPhone’s design and features to attract consumers. For example, Xiaomi designed the Xiaomi 17 Pro and Xiaomi 17 Pro Max featuring a rear camera module in the style of the iPhone 17 Pro, albeit with an interactive screen. In fact, Xiaomi had prepared an iPhone Air-style smartphone, rumored to be the Xiaomi 17 Air, but it was ultimately cancelled at the last minute. This was revealed in statements by Xiaomi President Lu Weibing in a recent live stream. However, Xiaomi later decided to cancel the phone at the last minute. The reason, according to Weibing, was based on user experience concerns. A phone that is thin and light would require many compromises, including battery durability and performance. Although the iPhone Air-style design is attractive. Weibing explained that the thinner the device, the harder it is to fit a large battery, an appropriate cooling system, and sufficient hardware for everyday use. For this reason, Xiaomi concluded that an iPhone Air-thin phone could not meet the standard of experience Xiaomi aims to provide to users. As a result, the project was cancelled, according to KompasTekno’s aggregation from Gizmochina, Monday, 18 May 2026. Before Lu Weibing disclosed details, leaks of the thin Xiaomi phone had circulated online. Early renders appeared in a video posted by tipster Bald Panda in January 2026. In the video, the device is claimed to be the Xiaomi 17 Air. Design-wise, the slim phone looks similar to the iPhone Air, but features a dual rear camera setup. Xiaomi appears to arrange the two cameras horizontally. The early render shows a very slim body, estimated at about 5.5 mm, thinner than the iPhone 17 Air’s thickness of around 5.6 mm. Although the early render design had been revealed publicly, the Xiaomi 17 Air is said to never have progressed to a prototype. Reports say the project was ultimately cancelled, making commercial production unlikely. Thus, the leaked renders are regarded as internal design explorations rather than previews of a product slated for release. Overall, the circulating design leaks provide only a rough glimpse of the project Xiaomi had developed, though it never progressed to launch.