Xiaomi appears poised to shake up its flagship release strategy, with new rumors suggesting the high-end Xiaomi 17 Ultra could arrive before the end of the year. This would mark a significant departure from the company's established schedule and potentially give it a head start in the competitive premium smartphone market for 2026.
A Surprise December Launch
According to a prominent leak from Chinese tipster "Smart Pikachu" on Weibo, Xiaomi is preparing to announce the 17 Ultra imminently. The most striking claim is that pre-orders in China could open as early as December 15, 2025, with the announcement potentially slated for December 26. If accurate, this would place the phone's arrival nearly two months ahead of the late-February launch windows used for the Xiaomi 14 Ultra and 15 Ultra. This bold scheduling move suggests Xiaomi aims to make a major statement to close out 2025, potentially allowing Chinese consumers to get their hands on the device during the Christmas week.
Rumored Launch Timeline (China):
- Pre-order Window: December 15 - December 25, 2025
- Possible Announcement Date: December 26, 2025
- Historical Comparison: Previous Ultra models (14 & 15) launched in late February.
Expected Specifications and Camera Focus
The Xiaomi 17 Ultra is expected to maintain its position as the brand's ultimate camera-centric flagship. The core hardware is anticipated to align with the rest of the Xiaomi 17 series, headlined by Qualcomm's next-generation Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 system-on-chip. The camera system is generating significant interest, with rumors pointing to the continued use of a large 1-inch-type main sensor. However, the telephoto setup may see a notable change, potentially shifting from a dual-telephoto array to a single, high-resolution 200-megapixel telephoto lens, a configuration recently seen in competitors like the vivo X200 Ultra.
Key Rumored Specifications:
- Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5
- Main Camera: 1-inch-type sensor
- Telephoto Camera: Possible single 200MP lens (replacing dual-telephoto setup)
- Pricing: Similar to Xiaomi 15 Ultra in China.
Pricing and Global Availability
Early pricing rumors indicate the Xiaomi 17 Ultra may carry a price tag in China similar to its predecessor, the Xiaomi 15 Ultra. For global customers, the timeline is less clear. Historically, Xiaomi's Ultra models have been unveiled globally at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona, which is scheduled for early March 2026. It remains to be seen if the company will accelerate the international launch to align with the rumored earlier Chinese release or maintain the traditional MWC stage for its global debut.
Implications for the Market
An early launch for the Xiaomi 17 Ultra could have several ripple effects. It would position Xiaomi's top-tier offering against late-2025 flagships from other manufacturers much sooner than expected. Furthermore, the rumored camera specifications, particularly the large main sensor, could make it one of the last flagships to emphasize sheer sensor size before the industry potentially pivots to newer, more integrated imaging technologies. For tech enthusiasts and photography fans, a December launch would be an unexpected holiday season surprise, setting the stage for an intensely competitive start to 2026 in the high-end smartphone segment.