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Affordable Xiaomi smartphone makes expensive gaming phones unnecessary | Game review

Xiaomi 17T Gaming Test
ⓘ Notebookcheck (Marcus Herbrich)
Xiaomi 17T Gaming Test
Is a mid‑range smartphone like the Xiaomi 17T, powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 8500, strong enough to run modern Android games? This gaming test examines whether its performance can deliver high frame rates in today’s top titles and whether it offers enough power to satisfy gamers.

Our review shows that the Xiaomi 17T delivers strong performance thanks to the Dimensity 8500, reaching high frame rates in GFXBench. More than 30 fps is a very good result for a mid-range device. By comparison, a Galaxy A57 manages only 14 fps here, while a Pixel 10a reaches 20 fps. You can find all benchmark results and measurement data for the Xiaomi 17T in our review. Prices start at around $700, available on Amazon.com.

But how does Xiaomi’s mid-range model perform beyond graphics benchmarks? We’ll examine the gaming capabilities of the current T-series using two demanding Android games. 

Is the Xiaomi 17T the best mid-range smartphone for gamers?

For gamers, the Xiaomi 17T also offers many features that are essential for a powerful gaming experience, including a bright 1,268p OLED panel, a Game Turbo mode, and a long-lasting battery. However, high and stable frame rates combined with a high level of detail are essential for a good gaming experience. 

When it comes to truly demanding games, such as Genshin Impact, the Xiaomi 17T holds its own. It runs this fantasy action RPG at its full frame-rate potential on Android (60 fps) without any significant frame drops. At maximum graphics settings, our measurements averaged nearly 60 fps.

This excellent performance continues in PUBG Mobile. Here, gamers can enjoy up to 120 fps at low graphics settings. High-frame-rate (HFR) gaming beyond 60 fps is even possible at medium graphics settings (HD), where we measured an average frame rate of over 89 fps. At high detail settings (UHD), smooth gameplay at 60 fps is also possible. 

Is a mid-range smartphone, such as the Xiaomi 17T with the MediaTek Dimensity 8500, sufficient for playing modern Android games? Yes, gamers won’t get a noticeably higher or more stable frame rate even with a current high-end or gaming phone.

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Xiaomi 17T Mali-G720 MP8, Dimensity 8500, 512 GB UFS 4.1 Flash; PUBG Mobile; Smoothest: Ø117.4 (97-121) fps
Xiaomi 15T Mali-G720 MP7, Dimensity 8400, 512 GB UFS 4.1 Flash; PUBG Mobile; Smoothest: Ø89.3 (79-91) fps
Xiaomi 17T Mali-G720 MP8, Dimensity 8500, 512 GB UFS 4.1 Flash; PUBG Mobile; HD: Ø88.8 (81-91) fps
Xiaomi 15T Mali-G720 MP7, Dimensity 8400, 512 GB UFS 4.1 Flash; PUBG Mobile; HD: Ø59.8 (58-61) fps
Xiaomi 17T Mali-G720 MP8, Dimensity 8500, 512 GB UFS 4.1 Flash; PUBG Mobile; Ultra HD: Ø59.6 (54-61) fps
Xiaomi 15T Mali-G720 MP7, Dimensity 8400, 512 GB UFS 4.1 Flash; PUBG Mobile; Ultra HD: Ø40 (39-42) fps
Xiaomi 17T Mali-G720 MP8, Dimensity 8500, 512 GB UFS 4.1 Flash; Genshin Impact: Ø59.9 (52-61) fps
Xiaomi 15T Mali-G720 MP7, Dimensity 8400, 512 GB UFS 4.1 Flash; Genshin Impact: Ø59.5 (50-61) fps

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> Expert Reviews and News on Laptops, Smartphones and Tech Innovations > News > News Archive > Newsarchive 2026 08 > Affordable Xiaomi smartphone makes expensive gaming phones unnecessary | Game review
Marcus Herbrich, 2026-08-15 (Update: 2026-08-15)