Luxury device modifier Caviar has announced its latest lineup of Apple accessories, and this time, the company is stepping away from permanent chassis replacements.
Design Details
The new Genesis collection is a series of magnetic custom modules designed for the iPhone 17 Pro Max. Instead of dismantling the phone to apply precious metals, these new accessories function as high-end, snap-on backplates that attach magnetically to the device, sitting somewhere between a traditional phone case and a full custom modification.
The flagship model of the Genesis collection is the Relict, which is priced at $4,490 and limited to a production run of just seven units. The primary selling point of the Relict is a literal fragment of a Tyrannosaurus Rex fossil embedded into a checkmark-shaped decorative element on the back panel.
Relict
The rest of the module is constructed from lightweight aviation-grade titanium and alligator leather finished in a smoky gray-to-white Himalaya colorway, accented with blue jewelry enamel.
For buyers not looking to carry prehistoric fossils in their pockets, Caviar is offering four other models in the Genesis line, each limited to 99 pieces. The entry-level option is the $1,630 Proteus, which pairs blue hand-crafted crocodile leather with standard silver aviation titanium.
ProteusOrion
Stepping up the pricing tier are the Stimulus and Vector models, both priced at $1,910. These variants utilize black PVD-coated titanium frames and black crocodile leather, differentiated primarily by their enamel accents, orange for the Stimulus and black for the Vector.
StimulusVector
Rounding out the collection is the Orion, priced at $2,060. It features a gold PVD-coated titanium frame paired with blue crocodile leather and blue enamel detailing, designed to mimic the night sky.
All modules in the Genesis collection rely on a magnetic attachment system, allowing users to swap the heavy titanium and leather plates on and off without tools. Caviar says that the accessories are shipped in the company’s signature gift boxes.
Apple’s ultra-thin iPhone Air appears set to get a successor, and early details suggest that the company is addressing some of the shortcomings that held back the first-generation model. While the next version is still some time away, reports have shed light on a few notable upgrades and a possible launch timeline.
Second camera and better battery life tipped
According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple is working on a second-generation iPhone Air, internally codenamed V62, which could launch in spring 2027. At the same time, tipster Digital Chat Station has claimed that the iPhone Air 2 will be announced in Q1 2027.
The device is expected to retain the same slim design language but may arrive with meaningful hardware improvements. One of the biggest changes could be the addition of an ultra-wide camera.
The current iPhone Air features a single 48-megapixel rear camera, a decision that reportedly drew criticism from users looking for a more versatile photography experience. Adding a second 48-megapixel lens would bring the Air model closer to the standard iPhone lineup while still keeping a gap between it and the Pro models.
Battery life is another area Apple is said to be focusing on. Reports indicate that the company is exploring ways to improve endurance on the next-generation Air. It remains unclear whether this will come through a larger battery, internal design changes, improved efficiency, or a combination of these factors.
The iPhone Air 2 is also tipped to receive Apple’s A20 Pro chipset, the same processor expected to power the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max. This could give the thin and lightweight handset flagship-level performance despite its non-Pro positioning.
The reported spring 2027 launch aligns with Apple’s evolving iPhone release strategy. Instead of unveiling all models together, the company is expected to split launches across two seasons. Reports suggest that the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and Apple’s first foldable iPhone could debut in late 2026, while the standard iPhone 18, iPhone 18e, and iPhone Air 2 may follow several months later.
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A pretty exciting breakthrough has surfaced for Apple Silicon. A developer has figured out how to bypass restrictions on the M4’s Neural Engine (ANE) to enable on-device AI model training, something Apple has kept locked down so far.
Apple MacBook Air M4
Normally, the Neural Engine in M4 chips is mainly used for running (inference) pre-trained models efficiently. But security researcher and developer @0x0SojalSec announced on X that they successfully reverse-engineered the limitations. They’ve managed to unlock up to 15.8 TFLOPS of compute power for full training workloads, including backpropagation on transformer models.
Instead of relying on Apple’s usual Core ML or Metal frameworks, the team built a custom Model Intermediate Language (MIL) to talk directly to the Neural Engine. They keep everything in RAM to avoid slow storage writes, which makes the process surprisingly fast and stable. They even found a workaround using the exec() command to restart the process when training gets stuck, allowing it to checkpoint and keep going.
The developer has shared the project on GitHub, showing that it’s possible to train neural networks directly on the ANE hardware with minimal extra dependencies. Early tests show impressive results, like completing transformer training steps in just milliseconds on M4 chips.
Apple hasn’t officially enabled or supported training on the Neural Engine (they market it as delivering up to 38 TOPS for inference only). This reverse-engineering effort shows there’s a lot more potential hidden in these chips than most people realized.
This is big news for the AI community because it could turn regular Macs and iPads into much more capable local training machines for smaller models, reducing the need to rely on cloud services. It also sparks interesting discussions about Apple’s tightly controlled hardware-software approach.
It’ll be fascinating to see what else the community discovers as more people experiment with this. For now, it’s a promising step toward more powerful on-device AI experimentation in the Apple ecosystem.
Xiaomi 17T Pro and iPhone 17 represent two very different visions of a modern flagship smartphone. One focuses on delivering cutting-edge hardware, massive battery life, and feature-packed specifications, while the other relies on refined software, ecosystem integration, and Apple’s signature user experience. With both devices competing in a similar price range, the real question is whether premium hardware or polished optimization offers the better overall value.
Major Features:
Category
Xiaomi 17T Pro
iPhone 17
Winner
Build Quality
Gorilla Glass 7i
Ceramic Shield 2
Apple – Tougher screen protection
Display
144Hz AMOLED
120Hz LTPO OLED
Xiaomi – Smoother and more feature-rich panel
Brightness
3500 nits peak
3000 nits peak
Xiaomi – Higher peak brightness
Performance
Dimensity 9500
A19
Apple – Better optimization and efficiency
RAM
Up to 16GB
8GB
Xiaomi – More multitasking headroom
Storage
Up to 1TB
Up to 512GB
Xiaomi – Higher storage option
Main Camera
50MP Wide
48MP Wide
Xiaomi – Larger sensor advantage
Zoom Camera
50MP 5x Periscope
No dedicated telephoto
Xiaomi – Dedicated optical zoom lens
Ultrawide Camera
12MP
48MP
Apple – Higher-resolution ultrawide shots
Selfie Camera
32MP
18MP AF Camera
Apple – Better autofocus and consistency
Video Recording
8K, Log Recording
Dolby Vision 4K
Tie – Different strengths for creators
Battery
7000mAh
3692mAh
Xiaomi – Much larger battery capacity
Wired Charging
100W
Fast Charging
Xiaomi – Significantly faster charging
Wireless Charging
50W
25W MagSafe
Xiaomi – Faster wireless charging
Biometrics
Fingerprint Scanner
Face ID
Apple – More seamless authentication
Connectivity
IR Blaster
UWB, Satellite Features
Apple – More advanced connectivity tools
Audio
Hi-Res Audio, Dolby Atmos
Stereo Speakers
Xiaomi – Richer audio feature set
Software
Android 16, HyperOS 3
iOS 26
Apple – Better ecosystem integration
Value for Money
Priced around ₹75,000
Priced around ₹83,000
Xiaomi – More flagship hardware for less money
Disclaimer: Specs are based on available data. Actual performance may vary. Verify details from official sources before buying.
Design and Display
Build and Feel
The Xiaomi 17T Pro and iPhone 17 approach design from different directions. Xiaomi focuses on a premium flagship experience with Gorilla Glass 7i protection on both sides, an aluminum frame, and an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance. The phone also includes an under-display fingerprint scanner, dual SIM flexibility, and an infrared blaster. The iPhone 17 counters with Ceramic Shield 2 protection, an aluminum frame, IP68 certification, Face ID, satellite communication features, and Apple’s tightly integrated hardware ecosystem. Xiaomi feels more feature-packed, while Apple’s design philosophy prioritizes simplicity and consistency.
Display Quality
Xiaomi delivers a large AMOLED panel with a 144Hz refresh rate, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, extremely high peak brightness, and 3840Hz PWM dimming. The iPhone 17 offers a smaller LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED display with adaptive 120Hz refresh rate, excellent color accuracy, HDR support, and an anti-reflective coating. Xiaomi’s display appears more impressive on paper, especially for gaming and multimedia, while Apple’s panel often provides a more refined and natural viewing experience.
Verdict
The Xiaomi 17T Pro wins on display specifications and feature richness. The iPhone 17 remains appealing for users who prefer a cleaner interface and Apple’s polished display tuning.
Specifications Including Battery
Performance
The Xiaomi 17T Pro is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 9500 chipset paired with up to 16GB RAM and UFS 4.1 storage. This combination is designed for demanding gaming, multitasking, and long-term performance. The iPhone 17 uses Apple’s A19 processor with 8GB RAM and NVMe storage. Despite having less RAM, Apple’s optimization allows apps and games to run exceptionally smoothly. Xiaomi offers greater hardware flexibility, while Apple continues to maximize efficiency through software and hardware integration.
Battery and Charging
Battery capacity is a major advantage for Xiaomi. Its massive 7000mAh silicon-carbon battery is paired with 100W wired charging and 50W wireless charging, making battery anxiety almost irrelevant. The iPhone 17 features a 3692mAh battery with fast wired charging and 25W MagSafe wireless charging. Apple’s efficiency helps extend endurance, but Xiaomi’s battery and charging hardware operate on an entirely different level. Frequent travelers and heavy users are likely to appreciate the extra convenience.
Verdict
The Xiaomi 17T Pro delivers stronger specifications overall, particularly in battery technology, charging speed, and memory options. The iPhone 17 excels through optimization but trails in raw hardware value.
Camera
Main and Secondary Lenses
The Xiaomi 17T Pro features a versatile triple-camera system consisting of a 50MP main sensor, a 50MP periscope telephoto camera with 5x optical zoom, and a 12MP ultrawide lens. Leica tuning, advanced HDR processing, 8K recording, and professional video modes add further appeal. The iPhone 17 uses a dual-camera setup with 48MP main and 48MP ultrawide sensors. Apple’s image processing consistently delivers natural colors, excellent dynamic range, and reliable video quality. However, the absence of a dedicated telephoto camera limits its flexibility compared to Xiaomi.
Selfie Camera
Xiaomi includes a 32MP front camera capable of 4K recording and HDR10+ support. The iPhone 17’s front camera benefits from autofocus, Dolby Vision HDR recording, and Face ID hardware. While Xiaomi provides higher resolution, Apple continues to lead in selfie video consistency and ecosystem integration.
Verdict
The Xiaomi 17T Pro offers greater photographic versatility thanks to its dedicated periscope zoom lens and advanced video features. The iPhone 17 remains a strong choice for users who prioritize reliable point-and-shoot results and industry-leading video processing.
Pricing
The Xiaomi 17T Pro is priced around ₹75,000, while the iPhone 17 is priced around ₹83,000. Despite costing less, Xiaomi offers a larger and faster display, a significantly bigger battery, faster wired and wireless charging, more RAM options, and a dedicated telephoto camera. On pure hardware specifications, the Xiaomi package appears exceptionally aggressive for its price segment.
The iPhone 17 commands a higher price largely because of Apple’s ecosystem, long-term software support, strong resale value, and seamless integration with other Apple devices. For users already invested in Apple services, the premium may feel justified. However, buyers focused strictly on specifications and features will likely find Xiaomi’s offering more compelling.
Verdict
From a value-for-money perspective, the Xiaomi 17T Pro provides more flagship hardware while costing less. The iPhone 17 justifies its price primarily through ecosystem advantages and software experience rather than raw specifications.
Disclaimer: Prices are approximate and may vary based on country, region, launch timing, and applicable taxes. Always check whether the listed price is for a China unit or a global/international variant when purchasing.
Conclusion
The Xiaomi 17T Pro stands out with its 144Hz AMOLED display, 7000mAh silicon-carbon battery, 100W charging, Leica-tuned cameras, 5x periscope zoom lens, and higher RAM configurations. These features make it particularly attractive for gamers, power users, and photography enthusiasts seeking maximum hardware value.
The iPhone 17 differentiates itself through the A19 chip, Face ID, satellite connectivity, Apple Pay integration, long software support, and seamless interaction with the broader Apple ecosystem. The overall experience feels highly polished, with optimization often compensating for seemingly modest hardware specifications.
Verdict
For buyers seeking the strongest hardware package and overall value, the Xiaomi 17T Pro emerges as the more impressive smartphone. Its display, battery, charging, and camera versatility create a well-rounded flagship experience. The iPhone 17 remains an excellent choice for users committed to iOS and Apple’s ecosystem, but when comparing specifications, features, and price alone, Xiaomi delivers the stronger proposition.
Disclaimer: This comparison is based on the specifications provided and is intended for general informational purposes. Actual performance, camera results, battery life, and overall experience may vary depending on real-world usage, software updates, and individual preferences.
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