Xiaomi sub-brand Redmi has launched the Redmi 17C in China as a new budget smartphone. Once known for bringing value-for-money phones to the market, the brand has also been hit hard by the ongoing RAM crisis and has, in turn, downgraded the specs of the Redmi 15C successor.
Redmi 17C Specifications and Features
The Redmi 17C features a slightly smaller 6.88-inch 120 Hz LCD display with HD+ resolution. For context, the Redmi 15C sports a 6.9-inch panel with the same specifications. The panel also offers TÜV Low Light, Flicker Free and Circadian Friendly certifications and 600 nits of brightness.
Under the hood, the smartphone draws its power from the Helio G81 Ultra processor, which also powers the 15C. However, the Redmi 17C caps the RAM at 4 GB, unlike the predecessor, which offered an 8 GB variant too. Meanwhile, the base storage option has also been downgraded from 128 GB to just 64 GB.
Thankfully, it runs on Android 16-based HyperOS 3 update out of the box and not on HyperOS 2 like the Poco C81x.
Even the battery capacity has been reduced from 6,000mAh to just 5,160mAh. Charging speeds have taken a hit as well, being downgraded from 33W on the 15C to just 18W on the 17C.
The same downgrade story follows in the camera department, where the Redmi 17C comes with a single rear 13 MP lens, down from 50 MP on the 15C. Meanwhile, the selfie camera has also been reduced from 8 MP to 5 MP on the 17C.
Connectivity options remain intact, with the Redmi 17C sporting a side-mounted fingerprint scanner, a single speaker, Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 5.4, a 3.5mm headphone jack and 4G connectivity. However, it misses out on an IP rating, unlike its predecessor, which came with an IP64 rating.
Pricing-wise, it starts from 799 Chinese yuan (approximately Rs 11,500) for 4 GB + 64 GB and is already up for sale via the Xiaomi China e-store. The phone comes in Sea Breeze Blue, Danxia Red and Black colourways.
