The Xiaomi 17 Ultra, a collaborative creation with Leica, has officially made its global debut after its initial release in China late last year. This innovative device distinguishes itself with a refined, slender build and a top-tier camera system, offering remarkable photographic specifications and functionalities. It promises to deliver class-leading performance, elevating the mobile photography experience for users worldwide.
The Xiaomi 17 Ultra showcases a sleek, minimalist aesthetic, available in classic black, pristine white, and an eye-catching "Starlit Green." It marks a significant design evolution as the first model in Xiaomi's flagship Ultra series to feature an entirely flat display, complemented by an exceptionally thin bezel that enhances its streamlined profile. Despite its slender form, measuring merely 8.29 millimeters (0.32 inches) in thickness and weighing 218 grams (7.7 ounces), it is Xiaomi’s most compact and lightweight Ultra handheld to date. The device's internal structure is fortified with a high-strength aluminum alloy, ensuring both durability and minimal weight. Powering this advanced smartphone is a substantial 6,000mAh battery, a robust Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 mobile platform, and an impressive Type 1 main camera sensor.
The display is equally impressive, featuring a 6.9-inch Xiaomi HyperRGB OLED screen with a resolution of 2608 x 1200 pixels, achieving a peak brightness of 3,500 nits, and offering a dynamic refresh rate from 1 to 120Hz. This display supports the DCI-P3 color gamut, capable of rendering 68 billion colors, and is enhanced with HDR10+ and Dolby Vision technologies, ensuring a visually immersive experience.
While the phone's design is striking, its camera system, co-engineered with Leica, is the true highlight. At its core is the Leica 1-inch Ultra Dynamic Camera, which integrates a revolutionary Light Fusion 1080L image sensor with LOFIC HDR technology. This 50-megapixel Type 1 image sensor utilizes specialized mechanisms and embedded capacitors to manage excess electrical charge in pixels, substantially boosting full-well capacity and thereby improving HDR imaging. This cutting-edge sensor is paired with a 23mm equivalent f/1.67 wide-angle lens.
The telephoto camera on the Xiaomi 17 Ultra features a significant 200-megapixel Type 1/1.4 image sensor, coupled with a 75-100mm equivalent periscope telephoto lens. This lens incorporates Leica's advanced optical technology, introducing an apochromatic (APO) design for the first time in such a device. Additionally, this telephoto lens supports macro photography, capable of focusing as close as 30 centimeters (11.8 inches).
Completing the camera array is the ultra-wide camera, equipped with a 50-megapixel Type 1/2.76 Samsung JN5 image sensor and a 14mm equivalent f/2.2 lens. Xiaomi emphasizes that these sophisticated cameras are constructed around Leica’s UltraPure optical design, utilizing lenses crafted from premium materials to minimize interference and sharpen focus. The main camera features a 1G+6P hybrid lens design, employing a precise multi-coating process with advanced manufacturing techniques to ensure pristine light transmission and prevent artifacts like refraction, blur, and ghosting.
The front-facing camera features a 50-megapixel sensor and a 90-degree field of view, ideal for high-quality selfies and video calls. For videography enthusiasts, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra supports recording at up to 8Kp30 and 4Kp120 with Dolby Vision HDR. It also includes log video recording capabilities up to 4Kp120 and integrates the Academy Color Encoding System (ACES) for superior color management.
To further enhance the photographic and videographic experience, Xiaomi has introduced two upgraded photography add-ons. The Xiaomi 17 Ultra Photography kit adds a 48-gram grip to the phone, complete with physical camera controls such as a shutter release and command dials. The Xiaomi 17 Ultra Photography Kit Pro offers a grip designed in the classic Leica style, featuring a slip-resistant texture and an integrated 2,000 mAh battery that also functions as a power bank. Both the shutter button and a thumb support rest are detachable, offering greater flexibility.
The Xiaomi 17 Ultra is now being rolled out across various international markets, including regions in Asia and Europe. While pricing may differ by market, the device's starting price in China is 6,999 yuan, which converts to approximately $1,020 or 863 euros at current exchange rates. Regional prices are subject to variation.