Apple's new iPhone 17 lineup hit the market this morning, and Xiaomi President and General Manager Lu Weibing, a partner, wasted no time in sharing his perspective. The verdict? He called it "definitely the biggest year of change for iPhone." It's not just flattery - when a top competitor admits that Apple is resetting the bar, the entire industry pays attention. It's a pivotal moment, with every major brand, including Xiaomi, now poised to match or surpass Apple's latest moves. Innovation is the name of the game, and Xiaomi is in the spotlight for delivering platforms like HyperOS and upcoming products like the Xiaomi Pad 7.Market is ready for a real disruption
Lu’s comments put an end to the noise: He signaled that this year is about real transformation, not just incremental upgrades. “This year will be a big year for the shape of mobile phones, it’s worth waiting for,” he told the audience and investors. In other words, be prepared for a market that is hungry for real innovation, not just another spec bump.
A significant upgrade
Lu didn’t just give a general shout-out. He highlighted three areas that could reshape market dynamics and consumer demand from a business perspective:
- iPhone 17 Standard Reaches Premium
Lu praised the standard iPhone 17, calling it “really powerful”—a nod to Apple’s decision to finally bring a 120Hz refresh rate display to the base model. In the past, Apple has held back on features, but now, mainstream users get access to top-tier technology.
iPhone Air: New benchmark for slim devices
The newly announced iPhone Air model is “amazing” in Lu’s eyes. Its ultra-thin profile could set a new trend, potentially reigniting consumer interest in lightweight, premium phones.
Pro model: Distinctive—and controversial—design
Lu acknowledged the Pro variant’s new unibody aluminum build as “very recognizable.” In a crowded market, the design has drawn mixed reactions, but standing out is crucial.
These changes are more than just cosmetic. By introducing meaningful upgrades across the board, Apple is raising customer expectations. This is a clear signal: brands like Xiaomi need to continue to innovate aggressively, delivering both value and breakthrough technology to stay competitive.
