Emir BardakçıXiaomi launched a tease of what might be considered a new generation of smartphone camera technology within the Xiaomi range, aptly titled as Xiaomi 17 Ultra Leitz Edition or, as it is recognized globally, as Leitzphone. Issued directly by Lei Jun on Weibo, this new offering includes a rotating camera ring intended to help make manual cameras a part of mobile photography. Recognized as the Leica-centric variant of the Xiaomi 17 Ultra, this product indicates Xiaomi’s long-term initiative of linking innovative hardware with expert optical technology.
A Novel Hardware Solution for Smartphone Camera Photography
“The most notable difference of the Xiaomi 17 Ultra Leitz Edition is that it has a rotatable camera ring with a circle design on the back. Unlike the typical camera modules that solely serve decorative functions, the ring is fully functional. With it, the camera can easily switch between levels of photography in the event of macro or zoom photography with the physical rotation of the ring. This feature is dubbed the “Master Zoom Ring”.
The standard version of the 17 Ultra retains the same rounded design for the cameras, but without the rotating system. Another difference that can easily be noticed is the brand positioning, since the standard model sports the ‘Ultra’ lettering on the rear panel, whereas the Leitz Edition model uses the red Leica logo standing in place of the ‘ Ultra’ lettering.
Advanced Leica Telephoto System
A lot of importance is given by Xiaomi to the telephoto camera in the Xiaomi 17 Ultra series. According to initial specs, Leitz Edition features several firsts in the industry as certified by Leica.
Key telephoto highlights:
- Leica 200MP Optical Zoom camera
- 1/1.4-inch large telephoto sensor
- World’s first Leica APO-certified mobile telephoto lens
- 3G + 5P floating lens structure
- Optical zoom range of 75mm to 100mm (3.2x–4.3x)
This design is intended to provide better color reproduction, lower chromatic aberrations, and more consistent image quality across various focal lengths. Xiaomi’s design emphasizes optical optimization over heavy post-processing.
Complete Camera Configuration Details & Essential Specs
Apart from the telephoto setup, the expected shooting hardware on the Xiaomi 17 Ultra Leitz Edition consists of a well-rounded triple-camera setup. The primary camera comes coupled with the 50MP OV50-series 1-inch sensor, focusing on high dynamic range and night photography. The sensor comes in combination with the 200MP Samsung ISOCELL HPE periscope camera and 50MP ultra-wide lens.
On the performance front, the device comes with the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor, which will provide top-class power management. The 6,800mAh power cell supports all this, as the brand has been concentrating on increasing the capacity of batteries without making their thickness increased.
Owing to the rising cost of memory components, the expected price escalation is around 500-1,000 yuan compared to the earlier series. Xiaomi has been anticipated to unveil the prices formally soon. The expected launch is currently limited to China alone, though the international launch under the “Leitzphone” brand has yet to be ascertained.
Xiaomi’s vision for The Leitz Edition
Xiaomi 17 Ultra Leitz Edition captures Xiaomi’s wider image-centric strategy: a shift of focus from “software-centric improvements” to hands-on, tangible creativity. With Master Zoom Ring, a mechanical interface, Xiaomi is catering to a segment of “photography enthusiasts who prioritize quality in every single shoot.”
Rather than a direct competitor or a variant of the Xiaomi 17 Ultra standard model, it is a specific solution for a particular type of client with a focus that is solely centered on image capture. This also points towards a possible continuation or further development of innovative camera technology based on hardware through Leica by Xiaomi.
