Battery testing of Xiaomi’s Redmi Note 17 4G shows that the cheaper phone can offer strong endurance, but the Redmi Note 17 5G is the better choice for users who want maximum battery life. Despite sharing the same 7,700mAh silicon-carbon battery, 45W charging and 6.99-inch 120Hz display, the 4G model fell behind its 5G sibling in several tests.

The Redmi Note 17 4G starts at $250 globally, while the 5G version costs $50 more. In Europe, the difference in list prices is €100, although discounts bring the tested 4G configuration to €230 and a 5G model with 6GB of RAM to €300 before an additional coupon.

Redmi Note 17 4G versus 5G battery life

The two phones use different chipsets. Xiaomi equips the 4G model with a 6nm Snapdragon 6s 4G Gen 2, while the 5G version uses a 4nm Snapdragon 4 Gen 4. Testing suggests the modem is a major factor in the difference between them.

The Redmi Note 17 4G recorded significantly shorter call time than the 5G phone. Its video playback result was also notably lower, while web browsing lasted about an hour less. The 5G model therefore offers both better endurance and slightly stronger performance, even for buyers who do not specifically need 5G connectivity.

The older Redmi Note 15 Pro 4G came close to the Note 17 4G’s Active Use Score despite having a smaller 6.77-inch display and a 6,500mAh battery. However, its Helio G200 Ultra chipset performed less effectively in gaming and web browsing tests.

Both phones take about 90 minutes to charge

The Redmi Note 17 4G and 5G reached 23% after 15 minutes of charging. At the 30-minute mark, they remained effectively level, with only rounding differences separating the results.

A full charge took around an hour and a half on the 4G model. The 5G version finished three minutes sooner, a difference small enough to fall within the margin of error. The results also indicate that the different chipsets did not materially affect charging time.

The Redmi Note 17 Pro, which combines an 8,340mAh battery with 67W charging, finished ahead of the Realme 16T despite the larger battery. That comparison suggests the standard Note 17 models could have benefited from faster charging hardware.

Redmi Note 17 4G is not a clear upgrade

The larger battery gives the Redmi Note 17 4G better endurance than the Redmi Note 15 4G, but other changes make the newer phone less straightforward as an upgrade. Its Snapdragon 6s 4G Gen 2 is described as a downgrade or side-grade from the older model’s Helio G100 Ultra, which performed better in benchmarks.

Xiaomi also replaced the Redmi Note 15 4G’s 108MP main camera with a 50MP module. The newer phone does have a larger 6.99-inch screen, although its 79.1mm width makes it a particularly large handset.

For buyers comparing the two current models, the test results favor the Redmi Note 17 5G. The 4G version offers a lower entry price, but the 5G model combines longer battery life with better performance and nearly identical charging speed.