Xiaomi launches 17 Ultra flagship with Leica camera partnership

Chinese consumer electronics company Xiaomi has officially launched the Xiaomi 17 Ultra, a new smartphone device featuring a large camera bump and a partnership with German camera manufacturer Leica. The partnership provides camera software and sensibilities to the device. With this launch, Xiaomi enters the global market to compete against established players including Apple, Samsung, and Google. In the U.S., discussions about top camera phones largely center around Apple’s iPhone, the Samsung Galaxy series, and Google’s Pixel, whereas consumers in Asia and parts of Europe have a wider range of choices.

The device features a 6.9-inch screen with a 1200 x 2608 resolution, a 120Hz refresh rate, and a peak brightness of 3,500 nits. It is powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 processor, paired with 16GB of RAM and memory options of either 512GB or 1TB. The device is equipped with a 6,000 mAh battery, which is possibly one of the best outcomes of the silicon/carbon-ion technology used by Xiaomi. This battery can last for a couple of days of light to medium usage. For charging, the phone supports 90W wired charging using either the supplied charger or any charger compatible with PD 3.0 or PPS, which are fast charging standards. It also supports 50W wireless charging with Xiaomi’s own charger.

The camera system features a 50-megapixel main camera with an f/1.67 aperture and a 1-inch type sensor, which is a large camera sensor size for mobile devices. This main camera supports 23mm, 28mm, and 35mm framing. It is accompanied by a 200-megapixel telephoto lens offering continuous optical zoom from 3.2x to 4.3x, with quick focal length settings at 75mm, 85mm, 90mm, and 100mm. The setup also includes a 50-megapixel ultrawide camera with an f/2.2 aperture and a 50-megapixel selfie camera. To differentiate the device, Xiaomi is introducing specialized hardware accessories. The Photography Kit connects via Bluetooth, while the Photography Kit Pro connects via USB-C, featuring a 2,000 mAh battery and a ring for compatible 67 mm camera filters. These accessories might help Xiaomi gain momentum in the global market against competitors like Vivo, which offers the Vivo X300 Ultra with a 2.35x telephoto extender, and Oppo’s Find X9. Because of the earlier launch of its phone, Xiaomi might enjoy this market momentum.

The pricing for the device and its accessories in Europe is structured as follows:

• Xiaomi 17 Ultra: €1,499
• Photography Kit: €99.99
• Photography Kit Pro: €199.99

Why it matters

The Xiaomi 17 Ultra is a new flagship device that leverages a partnership with Leica and specialized photography hardware accessories to compete in the global smartphone market against established players like Apple, Samsung, and Google.