Emir BardakçıThe world of mobile photography has just escalated in a huge way with the launch in China today of the Xiaomi 17 Ultra. Not only has it come up with a Xiaomi HyperOS 3 which is revolutionary in every sense of the term, but it also boasts a massive 6800mAh battery that leaves all other smartphones in 2026 in the lurch. Even though fans are still relishing the benefits of “Xiaomi 15 Ultra,” this new smartphone comes with the Snapdragon 8 Elite processor and sports a 2D flat screen. This smartphone marks the culmination of the relationship between Xiaomi and Leica, providing all that “Xiaomi fans” have been waiting for in their dreams.
A Revolutionary Camera System
The Xiaomi 17 Ultra breaks the mold with its innovative primary camera design, touted as the “best camera ever designed” by the company. It comes with the Leica 1-inch “Light Master” camera sensor, the light Hunter 1050L, which comes with the revolutionary ultra-HDR technology of LOFIC. This makes it possible to take spectacular images at night with controlled highlights and maintain rich detail. Additionally, there is also a “Fireworks Mode” designed for capturing colors of the night sky without overexposure.
The Age of 200MP Optical Zoom
One area that stands out with this device is its support for 200MP optical zoom offered by Leica lenses. With the 1/1.4 ”large image sensor and 3G+5P telephoto optical design, the device provides continuous optical zooming from 75mm to 100mm. Thus, it offers uninterrupted picture clarity that doesn’t lose quality due to cropping, thereby entering a new era for all other devices with their mobile photography capabilities due to the optical zooming feature offered by this device.
It provides flawless super telephoto images even at 200mm and 400mm with the lens having the ability to handle optical outputs at all these distances.
Performance & Battery Life
Technologically, the phone runs on the Fifth Generation Snapdragon 8 Elite Mobile Platform, made using TSMC’s third-generation 3nm process. The CPU brings a huge boost in computing power despite consuming lower power. It requires a huge cooler to dissipate all the heat that it produces during operation. For this purpose, it has a dual-path three-dimensional ring cooling pump.
Massive 6800mAh Jinshajiang Battery
One of the most amazing upgrades has to be the battery capacity. The Chinese variant comes with a whopping 6800mAh Xiaomi Jinshajiang battery, and this is expected to result in super-long battery life for the smartphone and cater to the needs of heavy users as well. It must be mentioned here that the Global variant is expected to come with a 6000mAh capacity because of different safety standards in different regions. The smartphone comes with the capability to be charged with a whopping 90W and 50W wireless charging as well.
Design and Display Excellence
Xiaomi has at last equalized premier camera capabilities with ergonomic comfort. The Xiaomi 17 Ultra comes with a 6.9-inch ultra-narrow four-sided equal-bezel straight screen. The 2D flat screen ensures there are no issues of accidental touches, in addition to an immersive screen experience. The device measures an amazingly thin 8.29mm, making it the slimmest Ultra device so far. The DECO mini design helps in promoting one-handed use convenience.
Strong Build Quality
The device is quite durable as evidenced by IP66, IP68, and IP69 certifications for protection against both dust and water. Whether it is withstanding water jets or immersion, an environmental test device like the Xiaomi 17 Ultra is capable of withstanding challenging environmental conditions.
Each device is available in four vastly beautiful colors: Starry Green, Cool Smoke Purple, Starry Green/White-Black versions, as well as Black/White colors.
Leitzphone by Xiaomi: The Ultimate Edition
Alongside its standard offering, it also launched what it termed as a special edition globally known as “Leitzphone by Xiaomi” while in China, it was called “Xiaomi 17 Ultra Leica Edition.” This special or limited-edition design is characteristic for its red label design inspired by Leica, its zoom ring, and its mid-frame knurl inspired by photography. This is targeted at those who believe in the “mind-body unity” offered by cameras.
Exclusive Features
The Leitzphone from Xiaomi has a gift box which consists of a magnetic protective case, a lens cap, and a lanyard. The new addition is only equipped with a feature named “Leica Moment,” which has a retro version of Leica M9 and M3 quality. It will be announced as Leitzphone on global.
Software and Ecosystem
The device is powered by the brand new Xiaomi HyperOS 3, which features extensive interconnectivity with the Apple environment. Users can now operate their Xiaomi smartphones directly on an iPhone or Mac, additionally allowing them to share clipboards effortlessly.
Pricing and Market Availability
The Xiaomi 17 Ultra has officially launched in the Chinese market, positioning itself as a premium contender in the flagship segment. The pricing structure reflects the significant advancements in the device’s optical zoom capabilities and the new silicon-carbon battery technology. Currently, these configurations are exclusive to China, with international pricing to be confirmed upon the global release for both. The device is available in multiple memory and storage combinations to cater to professional users and content creators.
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Xiaomi 17 Ultra (12GB RAM + 512GB Storage): 6,999 Yuan (approx. $995)
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Xiaomi 17 Ultra (16GB RAM + 512GB Storage): 7,499 Yuan (approx. $1,066)
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Xiaomi 17 Ultra (16GB RAM + 1TB Storage): 8,499 Yuan (approx. $1,209)
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Leitzphone by Xiaomi (16GB RAM + 512GB / 1TB): 7,999 Yuan (approx. $1,138)
Xiaomi 17 Ultra and 17 Ultra Leica Comparison
| Feature | Xiaomi 17 Ultra (Standard) | Xiaomi 17 Ultra Leica Edition (Leitzphone) |
| Design Aesthetics | Glass back with 4 color options (Starry Green, Cool Smoke Purple, Black, White). | Classic Leather Patchwork design, Knurled Mid-frame, and iconic Leica Red Label. |
| Camera Controls | Standard touch interface. | Master Zoom Ring integrated into the lens module for physical focus and zoom adjustment. |
| Exclusive Imaging | Standard Leica Summilux tuning and filters. | “Leica Moment” Mode: Exclusive access to Leica M9 (CCD texture), Leica M3, and MONOPAN 50 profiles. |
| Connectivity | Xiaomi Starry Sky Communication System (5G/Wi-Fi 7). | Beidou + Tiantong Dual-Satellite Communication for global coverage without cellular signal. |
| Security | Standard Titan Security. | Dedicated Security & Privacy Encryption Chip for enhanced data protection. |
| Box Contents | Phone, Charger, Cable, Standard Case. | Exclusive Gift Box: Includes Leica Magnetic Protective Case, Lens Cap, Lanyard, and Cleaning Cloth. |
| Starting Price (China) | 6,999 Yuan (approx. $995) | 7,999 Yuan (approx. $1,138) |
