Xiaomi has pulled out all the stops with the Xiaomi 17 Ultra, its latest flagship smartphone now available for pre-order in China. Powered by the cutting-edge Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor, this beast packs a Leica-tuned quad-camera system—including a groundbreaking 200MP periscope telephoto with continuous optical zoom—and a whopping 6,800mAh silicon-carbon battery. Starting at around $995, it aims to challenge premium rivals like Samsung and Apple in the 2026 high-end market.
Sleek Design and Stunning Display
Ditching the curved edges of past models, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra sports a flat 2D design that’s both modern and durable. At the front sits a 6.9-inch M10 LTPO AMOLED screen with 2,608 x 1,200 resolution, 120Hz adaptive refresh rate, and a blistering 3,500 nits peak brightness. Protection comes from Dragon Crystal Glass 3.0, paired with IP66, IP68, and IP69 ratings for top-tier dust and water resistance. Slim at just 8.29mm, it balances power with portability.
Camera System Redefines Mobile Photography
The real showstopper is the rear camera array, co-engineered with Leica for pro-level results. The 50MP main shooter uses a massive 1-inch Light Fusion 1050L sensor with LOFIC tech for superior dynamic range in tricky lighting.
But the star is the 200MP periscope telephoto on a 1/1.4-inch Samsung HPE sensor, delivering true continuous optical zoom from 75mm to 100mm via mechanical lens movement—no digital cropping needed for sharp, native-resolution shots. Rounding it out: a 50MP ultrawide with autofocus and 115° field of view, plus a 50MP front camera for selfies.
Leica Edition Brings Physical Controls
For photography enthusiasts, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra Leica Edition elevates the experience with a dual-tone finish and a mechanical zoom ring around the camera module. Twist it to tweak exposure, white balance, or focal length, just like a Leica M-series camera. It also unlocks exclusive Leica Moment modes (3:2 aspect ratio) and an encryption chip for secure data handling—all on the same core specs.
Flagship Power and Endurance
Under the hood, the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 pairs with up to 16GB LPDDR5X RAM and 1TB UFS 4.1 storage. The 6,800mAh battery supports 90W wired, 50W wireless, and 22.5W reverse charging. Connectivity shines with Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6.0, and satellite communication. It ships with HyperOS 3 on Android 16.
Pricing and Availability
Pre-orders are live in China, with sales kicking off December 27:
- Standard Model:
- 12GB/512GB: CNY 6,999 (~$995)
- 16GB/512GB: CNY 7,499 (~$1,065)
- 16GB/1TB: CNY 8,499 (~$1,210)
- Leica Edition:
- 16GB/512GB: CNY 7,999 (~$1,140)
- 16GB/1TB: CNY 8,999 (~$1,280)
No global launch date yet, but expect it in Q1 2026. Xiaomi fans in India and beyond—stay tuned for pricing on Flipkart or Amazon.