Tech Blog #231 | Xiaomi 17 Ultra : A True Leica Collaboration..

Xiaomi’s Ultra series has always been its showcase for camera technology. This year with the Xiaomi 17 Ultra, the company seems to double down on that idea by working closely with Leica and trying to bring serious imaging chops to the flagship space. The result feels like a bold statement from Xiaomi, but it’s also a bit of a mixed bag once you look closer.

The Xiaomi 17 Ultra comes with a 6.9-inch 120Hz LTPO AMOLED display with a 1.5K resolution. It has very high peak brightness and is protected by Dragon Crystal Glass 3. The panel is flat instead of curved, which can help reduce accidental touches and make everyday use feel more predictable.

Under the hood, it uses the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset built on the 3nm node with the Adreno 840 GPU. Paired with up to 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM and 1TB of UFS 4.1 storage, performance is flagship calibre for gaming, multitasking, and heavy apps. It runs Android 16 with HyperOS 3, just like most new Xiaomi phones, and the UI feels polished and responsive.

But of course, the cameras are the main show here. The rear setup has three Leica-tuned cameras. The main shooter uses a 50MP 1-inch sensor with optical image stabilisation, which should be excellent for capturing light and detail. There’s also a 50MP ultrawide and a 200MP periscope telephoto with continuous optical zoom from about 3.2x to 4.3x. This kind of optical zoom range is rare to see without jumping between two fixed focal lengths.

Video recording goes up to 8K, and selfie lovers get a 50MP front camera. Leica’s involvement and the hardware on offer here promise serious image quality. That said, some users online are questioning whether the change from the previous Ultra model’s four camera units to a more simplified three camera setup is actually an improvement in real-world use. Some also feel Xiaomi could have done more with macro and other niche photography modes.

Battery life takes a big step up too. Xiaomi packs a 6800mAh silicon-carbon battery and supports 90W wired and 50W wireless charging, along with reverse charging options. This is one of the largest batteries you’ll see in a flagship, and Xiaomi managed to keep the phone relatively slim and balanced in the hand despite this big cell.

The build feels premium with solid IP ratings for dust and water resistance, stereo speakers, a 3D ultrasonic in-display fingerprint sensor, and all the modern connectivity standards like Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4.

So, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra brings a big battery, powerful performance, and a camera system that aims high with Leica tuning and continuous optical zoom. But it also raises a few questions. Some parts feel like evolutionary upgrades rather than revolutionary leaps, and the camera changes will divide opinions among photography enthusiasts. Buyers who want maximum imaging flexibility and strong overall performance will find a lot to like here. If you’re expecting a dramatic redesign or a huge list of new features over last year’s Ultra, your expectations might be tempered once you spend some time with it.