Xiaomi has unveiled the Xiaomi 17 Ultra, marking an upgraded partnership with Leica through a new “Strategic Co-creation Model.” The device features a triple camera system with a Leica 1-inch sensor, 200MP optical zoom telephoto, and Leica APO certification in the thinnest Ultra body to date at 8.29mm.
At a Beijing launch event, Xiaomi introduced the Xiaomi 17 Ultra alongside the Xiaomi Watch 5 Series, Buds 6, and various smart home appliances. The smartphone represents the first product born from Xiaomi and Leica’s new collaborative framework, which integrates Leica’s century-old expertise in professional optics and aesthetic philosophy from the product’s inception. This 8.29mm device is the thinnest Ultra model Xiaomi has released and the first in the Ultra line to feature a flat display. The triple-camera system consists of a 14mm ultra-wide lens, a 23mm Leica 1-inch ultra dynamic camera built on a Light Fusion 1050L sensor with LOFIC HDR technology, and a Leica 200MP 75-100mm optical zoom telephoto camera with Leica APO certification. The device is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 Mobile Platform, features a 6800mAh battery with 90W wired and 50W wireless HyperCharge, and includes a 120Hz LTPO display with 3500 nits peak brightness.
Xiaomi continues pushing the boundaries of mobile imaging with the 17 Ultra, following our coverage of the Xiaomi 15 Ultra earlier this year. The new model introduces several refinements in both industrial design and optical performance, positioning it as a compelling tool for content creators who need a capable secondary camera or a run-and-gun device.
Xiaomi 17 Ultra colors. Credit: XiaomiUltra-slim form factor with refined ergonomics
The Xiaomi 17 Ultra breaks new ground as the first model in the Ultra line to feature a flat display, departing from the curved screens of previous generations. At 8.29mm thick, the device achieves the slimmest profile in Ultra series history while maintaining a 6800mAh battery capacity. Xiaomi accomplished this through design refinements, including a micro-curved aluminum alloy frame, increased body curves, reduced camera module diameter, and higher camera module placement to improve ergonomics and in-hand balance.
The device is available in four color options: White, Black, Purple, and Green. For photography enthusiasts, Xiaomi offers two updated photography kits featuring a redesigned ergonomic form factor and magnetic attachment capability. An ultra-thin composite fiber case maintains a near-case-less feel for daily usage.
Xiaomi 17 Ultra Lenses. Credit: XiaomiLeica 1-inch sensor with LOFIC HDR technology
The centerpiece of the imaging system is the Leica 1-inch ultra dynamic camera, built on a Light Fusion 1050L sensor incorporating LOFIC HDR technology. According to Xiaomi, this sensor delivers a full well capacity 6.3 times greater than the previous generation 1-inch sensor used in the 15 Ultra. The increased well capacity translates to improved highlight control and shadow detail retention in high-contrast scenes, particularly useful for backlit situations and night environments where content creators often struggle with exposure latitude.
The 23mm equivalent main camera addresses one of the persistent challenges in mobile imaging: maintaining detail in both highlights and shadows without resorting to aggressive computational processing that can introduce artifacts.
Leica 200MP 75-100mm optical zoom telephoto camera. Credit. Xaiomi200MP telephoto with true optical zoom
Where the Xiaomi 17 Ultra distinguishes itself from competitors is the Leica 200MP 75-100mm optical zoom telephoto camera. Unlike digital zoom implementations that crop into a fixed sensor, this system employs three precisely matched lens groups and a prism, with the second and third lens groups moving independently to adjust focal length and focus. Throughout the entire 75-100mm equivalent range, the camera utilizes the full 1/1.4-inch telephoto sensor without digital cropping, maintaining native 200MP image quality.
The telephoto features a Leica APO optical lens design, using three custom glass material lenses to reduce chromatic aberration at the hardware level. This design ensures all colors converge at the same focal point, eliminating color fringing common in telephoto smartphone images. The lens significantly reduces purple and green fringing even in high-contrast scenes, and the exceptional optical quality earned the Xiaomi 17 Ultra the distinction of being the first Xiaomi flagship to receive Leica APO certification.
Xiaomi 17 Ultra Leica edition. Credit: XiaomiWhat about the ultra-wide camera?
Rounding out the triple-camera system is a 14mm ultra-wide lens designed for landscape and architectural photography. Across the entire camera array, Xiaomi 17 Ultra features a Leica UltraPure optical design with G+P lens group, significantly minimizing linear arc ghosting and contributing to more stable image quality in challenging lighting conditions.
While Xiaomi’s press materials focus primarily on still photography capabilities, the company has not yet detailed video specifications for the 17 Ultra. The previous Xiaomi 15 Ultra offered 4K/120fps recording, 10-bit Log support across all focal lengths, and Dolby Vision recording at 4K 60fps. Whether the 17 Ultra maintains or expands these video features remains to be confirmed.
The Master Ring Mechanism. Credit: XiaomiPerformance and display specifications
Under the hood, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra runs on the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 Mobile Platform, featuring an improved CPU structure and Adreno 840 GPU with ultra-large graphics cache. Xiaomi’s 3D Dual-Channel IceLoop System with a new capillary structure achieves a 50% improvement in thermal conductivity compared to the previous generation, important for sustained video recording sessions.
The display features a 120Hz LTPO refresh rate and 3500 nits peak brightness. Xiaomi’s HyperRGB technology enhances screen power efficiency, matching 2K display clarity with power consumption lower than typical 1.5K displays. Xiaomi Shield Glass 3.0 provides drop resistance up to 20 times that of ordinary strengthened glass.
Xiaomi 17 Ultra. Credit: XiaomiXiaomi 17 Ultra by Leica limited edition
Xiaomi also announced the Xiaomi 17 Ultra by Leica, a limited edition variant designed with direct involvement from the original Leica team. Inspired by classic Leica M-series cameras, the back panel features a dual-tone design with textured leather complementing a matte finish. The knurled middle frame is engraved with “LEICA CAMERA GERMANY” and features the prestigious Leica red dot badge.
The exclusive Leica Camera Ring reimagines classic camera operational logic for smartphones, with 20 high-strength ball bearings providing smooth tactile feedback for focus adjustment. Xiaomi has used a precision mechanical transmission structure with an internal detection of a minimum 0.03mm displacement. A dedicated sealing design maintains IP66/IP68/IP69 dust and water resistance ratings.
This edition features the exclusive Leica Essential mode, which recreates the image qualities of two iconic Leica cameras. The Leica M9 style uses a RAW-to-RGB Style Transfer model trained on hundreds of thousands of photos captured by actual Leica M9 cameras. The Leica M3 style digitally models the color response, tonality, and grain of Leica MONOPAN 50 film, producing authentic black-and-white film-like images.
The Xiaomi 17 Ultra by Leica introduces CAI Photo Authenticity Protection technology, which adds a digital signature to every photo through a dedicated security chip, verifying real origin versus AI-generated content. This edition exclusively features a dual-satellite system supporting both Tiantong and Beidou networks, allowing messaging and calling in remote areas with weak cellular signals.
Pricing and availability
The Xiaomi 17 Ultra is priced at RMB 6,999 yuan (approximately USD $960) for the 12GB+512GB configuration, RMB 7,499 yuan (approximately USD $1,030) for 16GB+512GB, and RMB 8,499 yuan (approximately USD $1,165) for 16GB+1TB.
The Xiaomi 17 Ultra by Leica is priced at RMB 7,999 yuan (approximately USD $1,095) for 16GB+512GB and RMB 8,999 yuan (approximately USD $1,235) for 16GB+1TB.
Both models will go on sale on Mi.com, Xiaomi Store, and other official channels at 10 AM on December 27th, 2025.
Can you see Xiaomi overtake Apple by introducing a better product to take photos and video? Don’t hesitate to let us know in the comments below!