Xiaomi has officially raised the bar in the ultra-premium smartphone segment with the launch of the Xiaomi 17 Ultra in China. Positioned as a device for power users and mobile photography enthusiasts, the new Ultra flagship blends cutting-edge silicon, advanced optics, and an old-school camera control feature that many photographers have long missed — a physical manual camera ring.
Launched alongside a special Leica Edition, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra signals a strong focus on imaging innovation while maintaining the brand’s aggressive approach to performance, battery technology, and industrial design.
A Physical Camera Ring Makes a Comeback
The standout feature of the Xiaomi 17 Ultra is undoubtedly its manual camera control ring, integrated into the massive circular camera module on the rear. Unlike touch-based zoom sliders, this ring offers tactile precision, delivering a DSLR-like experience on a smartphone.
On the Leica Edition, the ring is engineered with 20 precision ball bearings, capable of detecting movements as small as 0.03mm. Rotating the ring automatically launches the camera app and, depending on user preference, can be customised to control optical zoom, manual focus, or exposure compensation. This feature alone sets the 17 Ultra apart in a market dominated by software-only camera controls.
Leica-Branded Triple Camera System
Xiaomi continues its collaboration with Leica, equipping the 17 Ultra with a powerful triple rear camera setup designed for versatility and professional-grade output.
At the core is a 50MP primary camera using a 1-inch Light Fusion 1050L sensor, ensuring superior light capture, dynamic range, and natural depth of field. This is complemented by a 200MP periscope telephoto camera that supports continuous optical zoom between 75mm and 100mm, allowing smooth transitions across focal lengths without relying on digital cropping.
Rounding out the setup is a 50MP ultra-wide camera with autofocus, making it suitable not just for landscapes but also for close-up macro photography. Together, the system is engineered to handle everything from wide scenic shots to highly detailed telephoto images.
Leica Edition: Design Meets Heritage
The Xiaomi 17 Ultra Leica Edition pushes the experience further with a design inspired by Leica’s iconic M-series cameras. It features a dual-tone finish, textured leather back panel, and the instantly recognisable red Leica badge.
In addition to hardware changes, the Leica Edition includes exclusive Leica film simulations, recreating the colour science and tonal characteristics of classic Leica cameras. These profiles are aimed at photographers who prefer a distinct, cinematic look straight out of the camera, minimising the need for post-processing.
Display: Bigger, Brighter, Better
On the front, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra sports a 6.9-inch flat LTPO AMOLED display with a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate. The panel delivers a peak brightness of up to 3,500 nits, making it one of the brightest smartphone displays currently available.
This ensures excellent outdoor visibility, rich HDR playback, and smooth scrolling across apps and games. The flat design will also appeal to users who prefer precision touch input over curved edges.
Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 Powerhouse
Under the hood, Xiaomi has equipped the 17 Ultra with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor, the company’s latest flagship chipset. Built for high-end performance and improved power efficiency, the processor is paired with up to 16GB of RAM and 1TB of internal storage, catering to heavy multitaskers and content creators.
The device runs on HyperOS 3.0, Xiaomi’s latest software layer, offering enhanced system optimisation, improved privacy controls, and tighter ecosystem integration.
Record Battery Capacity in a Slim Body
Despite being the thinnest Ultra phone Xiaomi has ever made at just 8.29mm, the 17 Ultra packs a massive 6,800mAh silicon-carbon battery. This marks the largest battery ever included in a Xiaomi Ultra device.
Charging capabilities are equally impressive, with support for 90W wired fast charging and 50W wireless charging, ensuring minimal downtime even for power users.
Built for Durability
The Xiaomi 17 Ultra doesn’t compromise on durability. It comes with IP66, IP68, and IP69 ratings, offering resistance against dust, high-pressure water jets, and submersion. This makes it one of the most rugged premium smartphones currently on the market.
Pricing and Availability
Pricing for the Xiaomi 17 Ultra starts at CNY 6,999 (approximately Rs 89,455) for the standard model. The more premium Leica Edition is priced from CNY 7,999 (around Rs 1,02,235).
Both variants are set to go on sale in China starting December 27. Xiaomi has not yet confirmed global availability, but international markets, including India, are expected to follow in the coming months.
👉 Also Read: Apple iOS 26.3.
A Clear Statement in the Ultra Segment
With the 17 Ultra, Xiaomi is making a clear statement: smartphones can still innovate in meaningful ways. By combining a physical camera control ring, top-tier Leica optics, a massive battery, and Qualcomm’s latest flagship chipset, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra positions itself as one of the most compelling ultra-premium smartphones of the year.
For photography enthusiasts and power users alike, this launch signals a bold step forward in mobile technology.
