In a move that signals its aggressive push into the premium smartphone segment, Xiaomi has unveiled its latest flagship, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra. Announced on December 25th in Beijing, a public holiday in China (Christmas Day), the device is positioned as a "peak imaging technology flagship" and represents a significant evolution in Xiaomi's partnership with Leica. Beyond its imaging prowess, the launch was marked by a surprising and strategic announcement: deep integration with Apple's ecosystem, a first for any Android manufacturer.
A New Era of Mobile Imaging with Strategic Leica Collaboration
The Xiaomi 17 Ultra is the first product born from the newly upgraded "Strategic Co-creation" model between Xiaomi and Leica. This partnership moves beyond joint R&D to fully integrate Leica's professional optics, design aesthetics, and interactive philosophy into the smartphone. The core achievement is what Xiaomi calls the beginning of the "optical zoom era" in mobile photography. Instead of relying on digital cropping from multiple fixed lenses, the 17 Ultra's periscope telephoto lens supports continuous optical zoom from 75mm to 100mm. This allows for 200-megapixel optical output at any focal point within that range, preserving detail that is typically lost in digital processing. The telephoto lens has also earned Leica's APO (Apochromatic) certification, a hallmark of the highest optical standards in Leica's camera lineup, signifying exceptional control over chromatic aberration.
Xiaomi 17 Ultra Key Specifications & Pricing
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 |
| Display | 6.9-inch, "Super Pixel" technology |
| Main Camera | 1-inch Leica "Light Hunter" sensor with LOFIC tech |
| Telephoto Camera | 200MP, 75-100mm continuous optical zoom, Leica APO certified |
| Battery & Charging | 6800mAh, 90W wired, 50W wireless |
| Durability | Dragon Crystal Glass 3.0, IP68 & IP69 rated |
| Thickness | 8.29mm |
| Starting Price | CNY 6999 (12GB+512GB) |
| Leica Edition Price | From CNY 7999 (16GB+512GB) |
Groundbreaking Cross-Platform Interoperability with Apple Devices
Perhaps the most headline-grabbing feature is the 17 Ultra's unprecedented interoperability with Apple's ecosystem. Announced by Xiaomi Group President Lu Weibing, the new "Mi Share" functionality allows an iPhone to act as a mirroring controller for the Xiaomi 17 Ultra. Users can project their Xiaomi phone's screen onto an iPhone and perform tasks like ordering food or accessing transit QR codes without switching accounts between devices. Furthermore, Xiaomi has implemented a "Miracle Desktop" feature that enables seamless cross-device mirroring and unlocking across the Apple "trinity" of iPhone, iPad, and Mac. For users who carry two phones, the 17 Ultra also supports mutual mirroring control with another Xiaomi device, creating a "two-in-one" interconnected experience.
Apple Ecosystem Integration Features
- iPhone Mirroring: Full screen projection and control of Xiaomi 17 Ultra from an iPhone.
- Miracle Desktop: Seamless cross-device mirroring and unlocking across iPhone, iPad, and Mac.
- Dual Xiaomi Phone Control: Mutual mirroring and control between two Xiaomi phones for a unified experience.
Flagship Specifications Across the Board
The Xiaomi 17 Ultra is built as a no-compromise flagship. It is powered by the top-tier Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 processor, cooled by a dual-loop vapor chamber system for sustained performance. The display is a large 6.9-inch panel with what Xiaomi calls "super pixels" for higher clarity and lower power consumption, protected by the latest Dragon Crystal Glass 3.0. A substantial 6800mAh battery supports 90W wired and 50W wireless fast charging. The device also comes with comprehensive connectivity features, including UWB for precise device finding, enhanced "Xingchen" communication technology, and dual IP68/IP69 ratings for dust/water and high-pressure water jet resistance. Remarkably, Xiaomi has managed to pack all this into its thinnest Ultra body to date, at just 8.29mm.
The Leica Edition: A Mobile Tribute to a Camera Legend
Alongside the standard model, Xiaomi introduced the "Xiaomi 17 Ultra Leica Edition," a special model celebrating both Xiaomi's 15th and Leica's 100th anniversaries. This version is a comprehensive re-imagining of the phone as a Leica camera tool. It features a classic Leica red dot logo on the body—a first for any phone—and a redesigned physical "Master Zoom Ring" on the side. This ring allows for intuitive control over zoom, focus, exposure compensation, and white balance, mimicking the tactile feel of a traditional camera. The software includes film simulation modes painstakingly recreated from Leica's iconic M9 and M3 cameras, offering a distinct, classic photographic aesthetic.
Pricing, Strategy, and Xiaomi's High-End Ambition
The Xiaomi 17 Ultra starts at CNY 6999 for the 12GB+512GB variant, with the 16GB+512GB model priced at CNY 7499 and the 16GB+1TB at CNY 8499. The exclusive Leica Edition commands a premium, starting at CNY 7999 for 16GB+512GB and CNY 8999 for the 1TB version. This launch caps off a transformative year for Xiaomi, which has seen it close its "Human x Car x Home" ecosystem loop, begin production of its own smartphone chip, and expand aggressively into premium markets with its SU7 Ultra car and home appliances. The 17 Ultra, with its bold cross-ecosystem play and imaging leadership, represents Xiaomi's confident stride onto the global stage as a "hardcore tech leader," directly challenging established players not just on hardware, but on the very experience of a connected digital life.