Xiaomi’s dropping a photography bombshell just hours before the Xiaomi 17 Ultra launch. The Leica Edition isn’t just another co-branded phone—it’s got a rotating bezel around the camera island for physical zoom control. Think DSLR dials, but on your pocket rocket.
That Sweet Rotating Zoom Ring
Xiaomi’s official Weibo teaser video labels it “Master Zoom Ring.” Spin the bezel to zoom smoothly—no more greasy swipes on screens during golden hour shots. Perfect for creators ditching iPhone’s Camera Control button for something more tactile.
The standard Xiaomi 17 Ultra keeps the rounded camera module but skips the magic ring (and swaps Leica’s red dot for “Ultra” text). Both share killer Leica optics:
| Camera | Specs | Standout Feature |
|---|---|---|
| Main | 50MP 1-inch sensor | Low-light beast |
| Telephoto | 200MP periscope | APO lens (no color fringing) |
| Ultra-wide | 50MP | Versatile angles |
APO Lenses 101: Normal zooms suffer chromatic aberration (colors blur at edges). Leica’s APO tech uses exotic glass so every color focuses perfectly—razor-sharp moonshots incoming.
Early sample shots already flex dynamic range that rivals Sony’s Xperia 1 VII.
India Angle: With Xiaomi hiking prices (Samsung/Apple following), expect ₹90,000+ for Ultra. Leica Edition could hit ₹1,10,000. Launch in India Q1 2026?
Standard vs Leica: Spot the Diff
- Standard: “Ultra” branding, no rotating bezel.
- Leica: Red dot logo, physical zoom ring, premium vibes.
Xiaomi’s telephoto obsession continues—200MP periscope means 10x optical hybrid zooms without quality drop. Beats Galaxy S26 Ultra’s rumored setup?
This could make Xiaomi 17 Ultra the 2026 camera phone king. Launch livestream today—will the bezel steal the show?