Xiaomi has officially unveiled its new flagship smartphone, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra, in China. The launch, which occurred on China's Christmas Day, marks a significant push by the company to dominate the high-end market with a device that blurs the line between smartphone and professional camera. The phone introduces several industry-first features, most notably a periscope telephoto lens capable of true continuous optical zoom, setting a new benchmark for mobile photography.
A Design Shift and Premium Build
The Xiaomi 17 Ultra represents a notable departure from the curved-screen designs of its predecessors, adopting a flatter, more angular aesthetic. It features a large 6.9-inch M10 LTPO AMOLED display with a 2,608 x 1,200-pixel resolution, a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate, and an impressive peak brightness of 3,500 nits. For durability, Xiaomi has equipped the phone with its proprietary Dragon Crystal Glass 3.0 and secured IP66, IP68, and IP69 ratings, making it highly resistant to dust, water, and high-pressure water jets. Early hands-on photos from industry insiders showcase the device in a standard white finish and a unique "Starry Green" colorway, which features a dark green base with subtle speckles for a premium, textured look.
Xiaomi 17 Ultra Key Specifications
- Display: 6.9-inch M10 LTPO AMOLED, 120Hz adaptive refresh rate, 3500 nits peak brightness
- Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5
- RAM/Storage: Up to 16GB LPDDR5X / 1TB UFS 4.1
- Rear Camera System:
- Primary: 50MP, 1-inch Light Fusion 1050L sensor with LOFIC
- Telephoto: 200MP periscope, 1/1.4-inch Samsung HPE sensor, continuous optical zoom (75mm-100mm)
- Ultrawide: 50MP, 115˚ FOV, autofocus
- Front Camera: 50MP
- Battery & Charging: 6,800mAh, 90W wired, 50W wireless, 22.5W reverse wired
- Durability: IP66/68/69, Dragon Crystal Glass 3.0
- OS: HyperOS 3 (based on Android 16)
- Special Edition: Leica Edition adds a mechanical zoom ring, dual-tone design, and exclusive software modes.
The Camera System: A Leap Forward in Mobile Optics
The centerpiece of the Xiaomi 17 Ultra is its Leica-tuned quad-camera system, which is headlined by two revolutionary components. The primary camera uses a 50MP 1-inch Light Fusion 1050L sensor with LOFIC technology for exceptional dynamic range. The true star, however, is the 200MP periscope telephoto lens. Utilizing a 1/1.4-inch Samsung HPE sensor, this system provides continuous optical zoom between 75mm and 100mm focal lengths. This mechanical movement allows users to zoom seamlessly within this range without any loss in native resolution from digital cropping, a first for smartphones. The system is rounded out by a 50MP ultrawide lens with autofocus and a 115˚ field of view.
The Leica Edition: Tactile Controls for Pros
Alongside the standard model, Xiaomi introduced a special Leica Edition. This variant shares all the core hardware but adds physical, tactile controls inspired by traditional Leica cameras. It features a dual-tone design and, most intriguingly, a mechanical zoom ring encircling the camera module. This physical dial allows for manual adjustment of exposure, white balance, and focal length, offering a hands-on, professional photography experience. The Leica Edition also includes exclusive software features like Leica Moment modes with a classic 3:2 aspect ratio and an encryption chip for enhanced data security.
Performance and Endurance Powerhouse
Under the hood, both models are powered by the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset, paired with up to 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM and 1TB of UFS 4.1 storage. Despite its powerful internals and large display, Xiaomi managed to fit a massive 6,800mAh silicon-carbon battery into a chassis just 8.29mm thick. The device supports 90W wired charging, 50W wireless charging, and 22.5W reverse wired charging. For connectivity, it includes Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6.0, and two-way satellite communication. It runs on Android 16-based HyperOS 3.
Xiaomi 17 Ultra Pricing (China Launch)
| Model | Configuration | Price (CNY) | Approx. USD |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Edition | 12GB + 512GB | CNY 6,999 | ~$995 |
| Standard Edition | 16GB + 512GB | CNY 7,499 | ~$1,065 |
| Standard Edition | 16GB + 1TB | CNY 8,499 | ~$1,210 |
| Leica Edition | 16GB + 512GB | CNY 7,999 | ~$1,140 |
| Leica Edition | 16GB + 1TB | CNY 8,999 | ~$1,280 |
| Sales begin December 27, 2025. Global launch expected Q1 2026. |
Pricing, Availability, and Market Context
The Xiaomi 17 Ultra series is available for pre-order in China, with official sales beginning on December 27. The pricing is competitive for a flagship of its caliber, starting at CNY 6,999 (approx. USD 995) for the 12GB/512GB standard model. The Leica Edition commands a premium, starting at CNY 7,999 (approx. USD 1,140). Industry reports suggest Xiaomi accelerated this launch to get ahead of anticipated industry-wide price hikes for smartphones in 2026. While there is no confirmed global launch date yet, an international release is expected in the first quarter of 2026, though the international model may feature a slightly different battery specification.