REVIEW: REDMI Note 17 Pro Max’s massive battery makes it a ‘charge and forget’ gadget

REDMI Note 17 Pro Max. ABS-CBN News

MANILA — It is to the REDMI Note 17 Pro Max’s credit that it is easy to forget that you have it, which is what happened in the few weeks that a unit was available for review.

Not because it is unremarkable but because it slots easily into busy lifestyles that you don’t even have to think about it until you need it.

One of the biggest pain points of getting a new mobile phone is setting it up, especially when switching from a different operating system.

The prospect of migrating accounts, downloading apps and syncing them can sometimes lead typical middle-aged users to sigh and dream about simpler lives where not everything and everyone is connected to each other.

The REDMI Note 17 Pro Max removes that hurdle and offers setup through your other iOS or Android device. That gives the option to copy apps, photos, contacts and settings across devices.

Redmi Note 17 Pro Max. ABS-CBN News

Signing in through your Google account is even quicker still, and the phone was ready for use around 10 minutes after taking it out of the box.

Navigation is intuitive and new users will be able to figure out unfamiliar icons pretty quickly.

Its Snapdragon 6 Gen 5 processor also saves it from lagging during multitasking, the Waterloo of lower-end Android phones, and putting it squarely in flagship phone territory.

The REDMI Note 17 Pro Max 50MP main camera in daylight 

The Note 17 Pro Max has a 10,000mAh battery and promises “up to three days” of battery life and all-day use for a 20-minute charge.

With light use — messaging, Teams calls, social media, and some browsing — that three days may even be conservative. It took the better part of a work week before the Note 17 Pro Max issued its first reminder to charge the battery.

The battery can supposedly deliver up to 14 days of “light outdoor use”, so indoor use should not be a problem at all.

Even heavier use that involved livestreaming content, doomscrolling, and watching videos all day still saw at least a day between charges. And that charging was done more out of habit because the battery wasn’t even drained.

Xiaomi, on its website, says the battery can power through “up to 15 hours” of video recording, which is more than most people would need to do or test.

The long battery life removes the problem of bringing a power bank, and walking around with it inelegantly tethered to your phone.

The Note 17 Pro Max is, in fact, your power bank, with reverse charging for devices through a USB-C power and data cable. 

The REDMI Note 17 Pro Max doubles as a power bank with reverse charging through a USB-C cable 

Xiaomi promises up to six years of battery health, saving users from mid-day recharging and from praying they have enough juice for the commute for the foreseeable future. 

The battery also gives the Note 17 Pro Max a heft that makes it feel premium. At 229.5 grams, it isn’t heavy, but it does not feel like a plastic toy phone either.

The demo unit came with a phone protector, which may be more for the user’s peace of mind than for the phone.

The REDMI Titan Structure is dust and water — up to 2 meters, but don’t take it swimming — resistant and can withstand drops of up to 3 meters. Corning Gorilla Glass also protects the screen from scratches and drops.

In any case, the protector would cover the Cloud Blush photochromic finish that the demo unit came in. 

The 6.83-inch 1.5K CrystalRes AMOLED display provides crisp video viewing and the phone offers to adjust screen brightness to help reduce eyestrain and to ensure visibility outdoors.

The Note 17 Pro Max has dual speakers and is equipped with Dolby Atmos Hi-Res for clear audio — a capability tested during monitoring of Senate hearings and across podcast shows with varying sound quality. 

Xiaomi also promises 400 percent volume boost if needed.

The REDMI Note 17 Pro Max’s 50MP main camera in portrait mode. 

The REDMI Note 17 Pro Max has a 50MP main camera that Xiaomi touts as part of a “flagship-level” camera system that includes AI assist for portraits.

Processing options include an “AI Beautify” function to adjust colors and lighting, filters and the option to include a watermark.

The rear camera also features an underwater feature, allowing use at up to 2 meters deep and for up to 30 minutes, but Xiaomi recommends getting a waterproof case if the feature will be used often.

It also has a 32MP front camera for selfies and for video calls. As with many front cameras, it serves its purpose but is not a main feature. 

The REDMI Note 17 Pro Max 50MP main camera indoors  While powerful and capable, the cameras are not as big a selling point as the Note 17 Pro Max’s battery life and toughness.

More specialized units may be more apt for use cases that are heavy on photos and videos.

Selling from P30,999, the REDMI Note 17 Pro Max offers flagship-level features at a midrange price point and is for users looking for a phone that is quick to set up and who see gadgets more as tools instead of accessories.

Built to withstand the bumps, drops, and rigor of daily work life, the phone is perfect for those whose days could just as likely be filled with long meetings and unplanned time out of the office for field work or offsite tasks. 

The REDMI Note 17 Pro Max 50MP main camera indoors