Xiaomi 17 Ultra just went full camera nerd
Xiaomi 17 Ultra is now official in China. It brings a 1-inch Leica camera, 200MP periscope zoom, Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, and a huge 6,800mAh battery. Prices start at CNY 6,999.
Xiaomi’s Ultra phones have always chased camera bragging rights. The 17 Ultra doesn’t slow down. It’s now official in China, and it doubles down on imaging, battery life, and premium hardware. There’s also a Leica edition this year that leans fully into camera-nerd territory.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Xiaomi has launched the Xiaomi 17 Ultra and a Leica edition in China
- The headline specs are a 1-inch main sensor, 200MP periscope zoom, and 6,800mAh battery
- New Leica edition adds a mechanical zoom ring and camera-inspired design
- Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 powers the whole thing
- Prices start at CNY 6,999 (around $995)
Camera setup: the real reason this phone exists
Xiaomi is very clear about what matters here. The 17 Ultra ships with a Leica-branded triple camera system, and it’s one of the most stacked setups you’ll see on a phone right now.
- 50MP 1-inch Light Fusion 1050L main sensor with LOFIC tech
- 200MP Samsung HPE periscope telephoto (1/1.4-inch) with continuous optical zoom
- 50MP ultrawide camera with autofocus
In simple terms, the big primary sensor helps with low-light and cleaner photos, while the high-res periscope is built for zoom shots without the usual blur and digital mess. Xiaomi is clearly chasing people who actually zoom in, not just those who post spec sheets.
There’s also a 50MP selfie camera on the front, which is more than most people need, but it fits the “no weak links” theme.
Display and design: big, flat, and very bright
Around the front, the phone sticks to a flat panel. No waterfall curves this time.
- 6.9-inch M10 AMOLED LTPO display
- 120Hz refresh rate
- 2608 × 1200 resolution
- Up to 3,500 nits peak brightness
- Dragon Crystal Glass 3.0 protection
It’s a large screen, but it makes sense for media, photo editing, and general flagship use. You also get an in-display ultrasonic fingerprint scanner, which is faster and more reliable than optical ones.
The standard model comes in Black, Cool Smoke Purple, Starry Green, and White.
Performance, battery, and charging
Powering the phone is the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, paired with up to 16GB LPDDR5X RAM and up to 1TB UFS 4.1 storage.
- Chip: Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5
- RAM: up to 16GB
- Storage: up to 1TB
- Software: HyperOS 3.0 with built-in AI features
Battery life should be a strong point. Xiaomi has packed in a 6,800mAh silicon-carbon battery, which is huge for a flagship.
- 90W wired charging
- 50W wireless charging
- 22.5W reverse wired charging
This is the kind of battery setup that lets you stop thinking about chargers halfway through the day.
Xiaomi 17 Ultra Leica edition: for actual camera nerds
The Leica edition keeps the same core specs but adds hardware touches that clearly target photography fans.
- Mechanical zoom ring for focal length, exposure, and white balance
- Dual-tone design inspired by Leica M cameras
- Knurled frame and red Leica logo
- Leica Moment modes in 3:2 aspect ratio
You also get a security and encryption chip, dual-satellite communication, and a special retail box with extras like a lens cap, lanyard, magnetic case, and cleaning cloth.
Colours here are more restrained: Black and Off-White only.
Connectivity, durability, and extras
Xiaomi didn’t skip the checklist stuff either.
- IP66 / IP68 / IP69 ratings
- Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6.0, NFC
- Infrared sensor, dual SIM
- Stereo speakers, quad-mic array
- Hi-Res audio and satellite communication
It’s very much a “tick every box” flagship.
Launch timing and UAE availability: what to expect
Both models go on sale in China from December 27 via Xiaomi’s official online store.
Xiaomi 17 Ultra
- 12GB + 512GB: CNY 6,999 (~$995)
- 16GB + 512GB: CNY 7,499 (~$1,065)
- 16GB + 1TB: CNY 8,499 (~$1,210)
Xiaomi 17 Ultra Leica edition
- 16GB + 512GB: CNY 7,999 (~$1,140)
- 16GB + 1TB: CNY 8,999 (~$1,280)
Global and UAE availability haven’t been confirmed yet, but if previous Ultras are anything to go by, it won’t stay China-only forever.
FAQ
Is the Xiaomi 17 Ultra available outside China?
Not yet. For now, Xiaomi has only confirmed China sales starting December 27.
What makes the Leica edition different?
You get the same specs, plus a mechanical zoom ring, Leica-inspired design, special camera modes, and extra accessories in the box.
Is a 1-inch sensor actually useful?
Yes. A larger sensor usually means better low-light shots, more detail, and cleaner images compared to smaller phone sensors.
How big is a 6,800mAh battery in daily use?
Very big. It should comfortably last a full heavy day and likely push into two days for lighter users.
Will this replace a real camera?
For some people, yes. Especially with the Leica edition, Xiaomi is clearly targeting users who care more about photography than thinness.
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