The Xiaomi 17 Pro is unusual enough to tempt someone who normally buys and repairs iPhones. In the supplied video, an Apple-focused reviewer returns from China with a white Xiaomi 17 Pro and an obvious question: can a phone with familiar iPhone-like styling, a second screen on its back and unfamiliar Chinese software feel comfortable to an Apple user?
His answer after a little over a week is encouraging, but qualified. He likes the build, the fast fingerprint reader and the ability to frame selfies with the rear cameras. He also finds HyperOS unexpectedly easy to learn because so much of its interface resembles iOS. The compromises come from the China-market software, parts of which remain in Chinese even after he selects English.
This is an editorial analysis of the linked unboxing and early-use video, not independent Belliste testing or a full long-term review. The reviewer mainly used the phone as a secondary device around his home and had not yet completed the US carrier experiment he planned for a later video.
Why an iPhone User Bought the Xiaomi 17 Pro
The reviewer ordinarily covers Apple devices, so his purchase is not a routine Android upgrade. While traveling in China, he decided to buy the Xiaomi 17 Pro, a model he had wanted to try since seeing its secondary display integrated into the camera area. He deliberately chose white to compare its appearance with his own white iPhone 17 Pro.
He was not especially happy with what he paid, although he considered the purchase less expensive than sourcing the same phone in the United States. Later in the video, he cites approximate US reseller prices of around $1,100 new and examples near $750 used, close to his own purchase price. Those are personal market observations from the recording period, not verified current retail prices or official US pricing.
Unboxing: A Charger, Case and Screen Protection
The Xiaomi box is noticeably longer than the iPhone packaging beside it. Inside the reviewed China-market package, the reviewer finds a 100W charging adapter, a USB-A-to-USB-C cable, a basic protective case and a SIM ejector tool. He initially mistakes the cable for USB-C-to-USB-C before correcting himself, a useful reminder that the actual accessory should be checked rather than inferred from the charging rating.
The included case is a slim, hard-shell design with openings for the cameras and rear display. The reviewer finds it snug and comfortable, though not especially substantial as drop protection. Both the main and rear screens on his device arrive with pre-applied plastic protectors, which he appreciates while waiting to choose accessories of his own.
These inclusions make the unboxing feel generous compared with the iPhone box he shows. However, the contents reflect the unit he bought in China. Buyers considering an imported phone should confirm the charger plug, cable and case included by their particular seller.
Design: Familiar From the Front, Different From the Back
The reviewer is immediately taken with the white finish. The phone looks clean and premium in his hands, and the rear display gives the broad camera area a purpose beyond styling. The bundled case preserves access to that screen, allowing him to keep the distinctive feature visible while protecting the phone.
There is also a deliberate resemblance to the iPhone 17 Pro. The reviewer likes that visual familiarity rather than treating it as a reason to dismiss the Xiaomi. The important distinction is that Xiaomi has turned the camera island into an interactive surface, something he does not expect to find on his iPhone.
HyperOS Setup and the China ROM
The first boot leads into Xiaomi's HyperOS setup, where the reviewer has to navigate menus on a device originally configured for China. He selects English, connects to Wi-Fi and proceeds without transferring data from another phone. He also skips account and AI setup features that he does not yet understand, preferring to explore the system gradually.
Once configured, the interface feels familiar to him. He notices iPhone-like widgets, gestures, app icons and control-center organization, and considers those similarities helpful for someone moving from iOS. His experience is not evidence that HyperOS and iOS are functionally identical, but it explains why he adapts more quickly than he expected.
The China ROM creates more concrete obstacles. Some built-in interfaces remain in Chinese, notably the widgets page and parts of search, even though English input and search results are possible. The reviewer replaces several stock apps with alternatives he knows, including Gboard, Chrome, Google Calendar and Apple Music. These are practical adjustments rather than proof that every China-market feature will behave as it would on a globally configured Android phone.
Google Play and Banking Apps: Promising, Not Guaranteed
The reviewer succeeds in installing Google Play Store and says he has been able to use apps such as Cash App and PayPal on his particular device. That is reassuring for his setup, especially because he was concerned about relying on a Chinese software build outside China. It is not a compatibility guarantee for all Google services, payment systems, banking apps or future software versions.
His hope for a global or European ROM is also presented as a wish, not a confirmed release plan. Buyers importing this model should check network bands, software language support, notifications, updates and their essential apps before purchasing. None of those questions is resolved by a successful first week of mostly home use.
Fingerprint Unlocking vs iPhone Face ID
The under-display fingerprint sensor makes a particularly good impression. After completing setup, the reviewer finds it nearly instantaneous and says its position is easy to locate naturally with his thumb. He expected to miss Face ID more than he did, but reports adapting quickly to fingerprint unlocking.
He also explores face unlocking and decides against enabling it. The device presents the option as a two-dimensional face scan, and the reviewer notes its weaker security characteristics compared with the depth-based authentication he knows from his iPhone. His preference for the fingerprint sensor is therefore about both convenience and his own security expectations.
The Rear Screen's Best Use: Better Selfies
The secondary display is the feature that drew the reviewer to the Xiaomi 17 Pro in the first place. After a week, he still finds it distinctive and enjoyable, particularly because it lets him use the rear cameras while seeing a preview of himself. He mentions experimenting with selfies, including pictures of his cat, rather than presenting a controlled camera comparison.
Not every feature works smoothly for him yet. He has not managed to get all the notifications he wants to appear on the rear screen, and he is unsure whether the issue is a setting, software behavior or his own unfamiliarity. The video does not establish the cause, so it would be misleading to describe this as a confirmed universal defect.
This distinction matters to buyers. A second display is more valuable when it solves a clear task, such as framing a photograph, than when it merely duplicates notifications. In this early account, the photography use case is already convincing to the reviewer, while the broader utility remains unfinished business.
What the Video Does Not Test
Despite the word review, this video is primarily an unboxing, setup walkthrough and first-week account. It does not supply controlled battery endurance figures, a standardized camera comparison, gaming benchmarks or extensive mobile-network testing. The reviewer explicitly says he has spent most of his time with the phone at home and intends to use it more seriously later.
That limit is important when comparing the Xiaomi 17 Pro with the iPhone 17 Pro. The video establishes that the Xiaomi feels well built, is easy for this particular iPhone user to learn and can run several of his preferred apps. It does not yet establish which phone has better cameras, battery life, long-term reliability or US network compatibility.
Verdict: An Appealing Import With Software Caveats
The Xiaomi 17 Pro leaves a strong first impression. The reviewer likes the white finish, included accessories, responsive fingerprint scanner and rear display, and he finds the iOS-like HyperOS interface less intimidating than expected. Those are meaningful positives from someone who rarely uses Android phones.
The China ROM is the largest practical reservation. Some menus remain untranslated, app compatibility requires extra attention and the reviewer has not finished testing notifications or daily carrier use. His positive experience should therefore be read as a promising beginning rather than a definitive recommendation for every buyer.
For an enthusiast willing to configure an imported phone, the Xiaomi 17 Pro offers a distinctive way to use the rear cameras and a surprisingly approachable interface. For someone who needs effortless local software support, banking compatibility and dependable network behavior from day one, the unanswered questions matter at least as much as the hardware.
