When a China-only flagship lands on JerryRigEverything’s workbench, it’s bound to stir some curiosity. Zack Nelson’s latest durability test takes on the Xiaomi 17 Pro — a compact powerhouse that looks similar to an iPhone 17 Pro at first glance, but hides a few surprises under the hood.
The phone’s standout feature is its rear mini display tucked into the camera module, designed for quick controls or notifications. But the real test was whether Xiaomi’s premium build lives up to its flagship status.
Up front, the 6.3-inch AMOLED display is protected by Xiaomi’s in-house Dragon Glass 3.0, and it performs remarkably well. At level 6, the glass didn’t have any visible scratches, and at level 7, only light scratches showed up. As Zack Nelson pointed out, this is close to Corning’s Ceramic Shield 2 used on the iPhone 17 Pro in terms of scratch resistance. “Dragon Crystal is definitely better than any other Android phone we’ve seen yet,” he concluded. That’s a big achievement for a smartphone maker that’s working to reduce its reliance on outside suppliers for key components.
Not everything is equally impressive, though. Flip the phone over, and you’ll find a plastic back cover instead of glass. It’s a choice more common in mid-range phones, but one that does offer benefits — lighter weight, better drop resistance, and lower repair costs. Still, it’s a bit of a letdown in a phone priced close to $900.
The glass covering the rear display also uses standard material — it began scratching at level 6, just like we’ve seen for years. So, it’s not the same new Dragon Glass 3.0 used on the front.
The aluminum frame holds strong during the bend test, and despite a little flex, the phone survives without cracks or creaks. Even after the classic lighter flame test, the display bounces back quickly with no lasting burn marks.
In short, Xiaomi’s 17 Pro proves tough where it matters most — up front. The plastic core might disappoint purists, but its practicality is hard to argue with. Sometimes, durability trumps the premium feel.
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