Xiaomi 17 Ultra Unveiled: A Photographic Powerhouse with a Leica Twist
Today marked a significant moment in the smartphone arena as Xiaomi pulled back the curtain on its highly anticipated Xiaomi 17 Ultra. But in a delightful surprise, the company didn't just introduce one flagship, but two. Alongside the standard model, a special Leica Edition was announced, promising exclusive photographic experiences that will undoubtedly excite shutterbugs and tech enthusiasts alike.
Display and Performance: A Symphony of Brilliance and Power
The Xiaomi 17 Ultra boasts a stunning 6.9-inch flat M10 OLED LTPO display, an absolute feast for the eyes with its 2608x1200 resolution and a sharp 420 PPI. Imagine colors bursting to life with a peak brightness of 3500 nits, complemented by HDR10+ and Dolby Vision support, ensuring every image and video is rendered with breathtaking fidelity. The adaptive refresh rate, seamlessly shifting between 1Hz and 120Hz, guarantees buttery-smooth scrolling and an immersive visual experience, whether you're gaming or browsing.
Eye comfort is paramount, and Xiaomi has addressed this with advanced features like DC dimming and an impressive 1920 Hz PWM dimming. The screen is further protected by the robust Xiaomi Ceramic Glass 2.0, offering peace of mind against everyday wear and tear. With full RGB pixels and TÜV Rheinland certification, you can be assured of comfortable viewing for extended periods.
Under the hood, this beast is powered by the cutting-edge Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor. Featuring two potent Oryon cores clocked at a blistering 4.6 GHz, alongside six high-performance cores running at 3.62 GHz, and the powerful Adreno 840 GPU, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra is engineered for unparalleled speed and efficiency. To keep this powerhouse cool, a sophisticated dual liquid cooling system has been implemented, meticulously designed to dissipate heat from both the processor and the camera module, resulting in a remarkable 50% improvement in thermal conductivity. This means you can push the device to its limits without worrying about overheating.
Leica's Photographic Prowess: Redefining Mobile Photography
The true star of the show is undoubtedly the camera system, developed in collaboration with the legendary Leica. The main camera features a revolutionary 1-inch Light Fusion 1050L sensor, co-engineered with Leica, delivering a phenomenal 50MP resolution and an astonishing native dynamic range of 14EV. For those moments when light is scarce, the LOFIC ultra-dynamic range technology promises to capture unparalleled detail in low-light conditions, turning night into day.
Prepare to be amazed by the Leica telephoto lens, boasting a staggering 200MP sensor and a continuous optical zoom that offers lossless magnification from 75mm all the way to 100mm, with a digital extension reaching an impressive 400mm. This incredible versatility is further enhanced by Leica APO certification, a floating lens design (3G+5P), and the ability to capture stunning macro shots from as close as 30 cm. The ultra-wide camera, equipped with a 50MP sensor and a 115° field of view, also excels in macro photography, allowing you to get as close as 5 cm to your subject. And for those selfie aficionados, the 50MP front-facing camera supports crisp 4K video recording at 60fps, ensuring your self-portraits are always top-notch.
Endurance and Connectivity: Powering Through Your Day and Beyond
Fueling this technological marvel is a colossal 6800 mAh Jinshajiang battery, the largest ever seen in a Xiaomi Ultra model. This behemoth supports blazing-fast 90W wired charging and a convenient 50W wireless charging. For your accessories, it also offers 22.5W reverse wired and 20W reverse wireless charging capabilities. Moreover, the battery embraces the universal PPS protocol with 90W support, ensuring broader compatibility with a wide range of chargers.
Despite its robust features, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra maintains an impressive profile, weighing in at 223.4g and a remarkably slim 8.29mm, making it the thinnest Ultra model to date. Security is handled by an advanced ultrasonic in-display fingerprint scanner, while the immersive audio experience is delivered by stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos. Connectivity is also cutting-edge, with USB-C 3.2 Gen 2, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6.0, NFC, and even satellite communication capabilities.
Durability is a key consideration, and the Xiaomi 17 Ultra excels with an impressive IP66, IP68, and IP69 rating for water and dust resistance, providing confidence in its resilience against the elements.
The Leica Edition: A Photographer's Dream Accessory
The Xiaomi 17 Ultra Leica Edition is where tradition meets innovation. Available in sophisticated black and cream-white finishes, the rear panel is elegantly designed to evoke the iconic aesthetics of Leica M-series cameras. A standout feature is the 'Master Zoom Ring,' a textured bezel encircling the camera module, allowing for intuitive, tactile control over focal length, white balance, and exposure – a truly authentic camera-like experience.
Software enhancements are equally impressive. The Leica Edition boasts an exclusive 'Leica Moment' mode, featuring M9-inspired color reproduction, a faithful simulation of the M3 + MONOPAN 50 black and white film, and the classic 3:2 aspect ratio. For enhanced privacy, the phone incorporates a dedicated encryption chip, and it also supports satellite communication across BeiDou and TianTong networks.
Xiaomi has curated a premium unboxing experience for the Leica Edition, presenting it in a special gift box that includes a magnetic protective case, a Leica lens cap, a carrying strap, and a cleaning cloth – every detail tailored for the discerning photographer.
Pricing and Availability: Securing Your Piece of Photographic History
The standard Xiaomi 17 Ultra is priced competitively, starting at approximately $980 for the 12GB/512GB variant, with 16GB/512GB models at around $1050, and the top-tier 16GB/1TB configuration at approximately $1190. For those seeking the ultimate Leica experience, the Leica Edition is available for pre-order at approximately $1120 for the 16GB/512GB version and $1260 for the 16GB/1TB model.
Pre-orders are now open in China, with open sales commencing on December 27, 2025. This launch promises to set a new benchmark in the premium smartphone segment, especially for mobile photography enthusiasts.
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