Whether it’s just a trend or not, the rear display isn’t going away soon. Xiaomi clarified that the company is committed to improving the rear display panel with its next Android device.
Xiaomi made some noticeable waves with the release of the Xiaomi 17, 17 Pro, and 17 Pro Max in China. The company didn’t make the notion that it copied some of Apple’s design cues and even naming scheme a secret. Still, it managed to include something the US giant didn’t – a flagship-level rear display right over the camera array.
Xiaomi states that the company’s next generation of Android devices will utilize a rear display similar to the one on the Xiaomi 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max (via MyDrivers). An increase in investment in R&D is expected to follow, Lu Weibing notes in the livestream.
That could indicate a bigger display or one that’s capable of more than a few proprietary features. Lu Weibing also noted that there are upcoming updates to the existing rear display, including one to add real-time translation.
In any case, it’s a commitment to sticking to the design trend for at least one more device lineup.
The Xiaomi 17 Pro’s rear display can be used for several features, including personalized wallpapers and dynamic notifications. It is a 2.66-inch OLED display, similar to one seen on the Motorola Razr 60 Ultra or Galaxy Z Flip 7, though the phone doesn’t unfold.
The release of the Xiaomi 17 series proved to be a massive success. The Xiaomi 17 Pro Max set a day-one record for the number of sales made after release. The company also saw a 20% increase YoY for its flagship series.
With how much attention the rear display on Xiaomi’s 17 series garnered, it wouldn’t be surprising if more OEMs experimented with the design choice. With a few design categories on the table, like Qi2 and foldables, the next couple of years will likely be some of the most varied we’ve seen since flip/slide phones.
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