In a strategic shift, Xiaomi has announced the early launch of its next flagship imaging phone, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra. The move, explained by company president Lu Weibing, is a direct response to user demand for a premium camera phone ahead of China's Lunar New Year holiday. However, this user-centric timing comes with a notable consequence: a confirmed price increase, driven by rising component costs. The announcement, made during a live broadcast on December 20, 2025, also detailed a deeper collaboration with Leica, promising a fundamental redesign of the phone's optical system.
Key Specifications & Pricing Comparison
| Feature | Xiaomi 15 Ultra | Xiaomi 17 Ultra (Announced) |
|---|---|---|
| Launch Price | CNY 6,499 | At least CNY 6,599 |
| Camera Partner | Leica | Leica (Strategic Co-creation) |
| Key Camera Highlight | 1-inch main sensor | New-gen 1-inch main sensor & Leica APO telephoto |
| Launch Context | Standard annual cycle | Early launch for Chinese Lunar New Year |
| Primary Reason for Price Change | N/A | Rising memory & component costs (AI demand) |
Xiaomi Responds to Fan Demand with Early Launch
The decision to bring forward the Xiaomi 17 Ultra's release schedule was not part of the original product roadmap. During a live stream, Xiaomi Group President Lu Weibing stated that the company had received significant feedback from its community, with many users expressing a desire for the new Ultra model to be available before the Chinese Lunar New Year. The rationale was practical: they wanted to capture high-quality family photos and memories during the important holiday period. In response, Xiaomi accelerated its timeline, scheduling the official unveiling for the week following the announcement, ensuring the device would be in users' hands well before the festivities begin in early 2026.
Timeline of Events
- December 20, 2025 (UTC+0): Xiaomi President Lu Weibing hosts live broadcast, announcing early launch, price, and camera details for the Xiaomi 17 Ultra.
- Week of December 22, 2025: Scheduled official unveiling of the Xiaomi 17 Ultra.
- Early 2026: Chinese Lunar New Year period; target timeframe for users to utilize the new phone for holiday photography.
A New Era of Collaboration with Leica
Beyond the timing, the core story of the Xiaomi 17 Ultra revolves around a transformed partnership with German optics giant Leica. Lu Weibing emphasized that this is more than just camera tuning. Starting with the 17 Ultra, the two companies have adopted a "strategic co-creation model," where Leica is involved from the very inception of the product's development. This means Leica's expertise in professional optics, mechanical design, and aesthetic philosophy is being integrated into the hardware and software from the ground up, rather than being applied as a final layer of calibration.
The Heart of the Upgrade: A Next-Gen Optical System
The tangible result of this deeper collaboration is what Xiaomi calls a "next-generation optical system." The centerpiece is a new, custom 1-inch main camera sensor specifically engineered for mobile photography. Paired with this is a telephoto lens that has received Leica's APO (Apochromatic) certification, a designation typically reserved for high-end lenses that correct chromatic aberration for exceptional color fidelity and sharpness. Xiaomi claims this combination delivers "disruptive" improvements, particularly in challenging low-light scenarios and for telephoto creativity, aiming to set a new benchmark for mobile imaging.
Confirmed Price Increase and the Reasons Behind It
In a candid segment of the broadcast, Lu Weibing directly addressed the inevitable topic of cost. He confirmed that the Xiaomi 17 Ultra will see a price hike compared to its predecessor. The Xiaomi 15 Ultra launched at a starting price of CNY 6,499, but the 17 Ultra will start at a minimum of CNY 6,599, with Lu hinting the final price could be even higher. He attributed this increase primarily to soaring memory costs, driven by explosive demand from AI applications since late 2022. Lu noted that the industry faces a challenging period for component pricing through 2027, affecting not just processors and camera modules but also essential memory.
Positioning Value in a Rising Cost Market
Facing the reality of higher prices, Lu Weibing sought to contextualize the increase for consumers. He reminded viewers that at the launch of the Xiaomi 15 Ultra, he had described it as potentially the "last" Ultra model at that price point. While acknowledging the price jump is significant for buyers, he argued that the increase in the retail price is proportionally less severe than the surge in the company's overall bill of materials. The implication is that Xiaomi is absorbing some of the cost pressure to maintain what it views as a compelling value proposition for a top-tier imaging flagship.
The early launch of the Xiaomi 17 Ultra presents a fascinating case of a company prioritizing immediate user desire over a traditional marketing calendar. It successfully generates goodwill and practical utility for its customers. However, the accompanying price increase, openly explained through the lens of global supply chain pressures, sets a new financial benchmark for the series. All eyes will now be on the official unveiling next week to see if the promised revolutionary camera system justifies both the revised schedule and the higher cost, setting the stage for the 2026 flagship smartphone competition.