Metro Manila traffic has a way of draining your smartphone’s battery just as quickly as it drains your patience. Xiaomi is looking to make those long commutes a little less stressful with the local launch of the REDMI 17 4G and REDMI 17 5G in the Philippines. Both phones pack a 7,500mAh battery, putting battery life front and center in the sub-₱15,000 (sub-$238 approximately) segment.

The base REDMI 17 4G, with 4GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, is priced at ₱12,999 ($206). The REDMI 17 5G with the same memory configuration costs ₱14,999 ($238).

Xiaomi is also offering introductory discounts for early buyers, bringing the prices down to ₱11,999 ($190) and ₱13,999 ($222), respectively, from Oct. 23 to 31. Early adopters will likewise receive a bundled VIP Card with several after-sales benefits. Valued at up to ₱21,200 ($336), the package includes a free battery replacement within three years, a screen replacement within two years, and a back cover or lens replacement within two years. For budget-conscious buyers, these extras offer another reason to consider the REDMI 17 Series.

Xiaomi Philippines’ announcement

That 7,500mAh battery is one of the phones’ biggest selling points. Xiaomi claims the REDMI 17 4G can deliver up to 28 hours of video playback or 91 hours of music playback, while the 5G model stretches audio playback to up to 109 hours. When the battery finally needs a boost, 45-watt turbo charging can take it from empty to full in around 96 minutes. Both models support 22.5-watt wired reverse charging as well, letting you use your unit to top up wireless earbuds, smartwatches, or even a friend’s struggling smartphone.

There’s more to the REDMI 17 Series than battery life, too. The two handsets feature a 6.9-inch 120Hz AdaptiveSync display that adjusts its refresh rate to balance smooth visuals with power consumption. Corning Gorilla Glass 7i helps protect the screen, while the IP64 rating provides resistance to dust and splashes. Wet Touch technology is also on board, so you can keep scrolling even when your fingers or the screen get a little damp.

Under the hood, the standard REDMI 17 4G runs on an octa-core MediaTek Helio G91-Ultra chipset, while the REDMI 17 5G gets a Qualcomm Snapdragon 4 Gen 5 processor. Both run Xiaomi HyperOS 3 and support up to 12GB of RAM through memory extension to help keep multitasking smooth.

SEE ALSO: REDMI Note 17 Pro Max 5G review: The 10,000mAh marathon champ

For photography, the new devices feature a 50-megapixel AI dual-camera system on the rear and support simultaneous front and rear dual-view video recording. There’s also a Dynamic RGB Light system on the back panel that responds to notifications, gaming effects, and charging status, adding a little personality to the design.

With its big battery, fast charging, and useful extras, the REDMI 17 Series looks like a practical option for users who want a smartphone that can keep up with long days without stretching their budget too far. The two models share many of the same features, with 5G connectivity being one of the main differences to consider when choosing between them.

REDMI 17 4G and REDMI 17 5G specs

• 6.9-inch LCD display, up to 120Hz AdaptiveSync refresh rate, Corning Gorilla Glass 7i
• MediaTek Helio G91-Ultra processor (REDMI 17) / Qualcomm Snapdragon 4 Gen 5 (REDMI 17 5G)
• 4GB RAM (expandable up to 12GB via Memory Extension)
• 128GB storage
• 50-megapixel AI dual main camera
• Front-facing camera with dual-view video support
• 7,500mAh (typ) battery with 45W turbo charging, 22.5W wired reverse charging
• Dual stereo speakers with up to 300% volume boost
• Dynamic RGB Light system
• IP64 dust and splash resistance, Wet Touch Technology
• Xiaomi HyperOS 3
• Colors (4G): Black, Deep Blue, Oak Green, Lotus Purple
• Colors (5G): Black, Deep Blue, Vivid Orange (PU leather finish)

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