Xiaomi officially unveiled its new flagship smartphone, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra, in China on December 25, 2025. This device highlights a major step forward in mobile photography, featuring a 200-megapixel (MP) Leica-engineered periscope telephoto camera. The phone, developed under an upgraded "Strategic Co-creation Model" with Leica, aims to set new standards for smartphone imaging.^{[1][2][3][4][5][6]} Sales for the Xiaomi 17 Ultra began in China on December 27, 2025, through Xiaomi's official online store.^[1][7][2][4] ### Redefining Mobile Photography The Xiaomi 17 Ultra boasts a sophisticated triple rear camera system. Its most notable feature is the 200MP periscope telephoto lens, which uses a large 1/1.4-inch Samsung HPE sensor. This camera offers continuous optical zoom, allowing users to smoothly adjust focal lengths between 75mm and 100mm, equivalent to 3.2x to 4.3x optical magnification.^{[1][5][8][6][9]} This design helps maintain high image quality across the zoom range, unlike traditional telephoto cameras that often rely on digital processing between fixed zoom levels.^[8][9] The periscope lens is also Leica APO-certified, a significant achievement for a smartphone camera.^{[4][8][6][10]} This certification means the lens design effectively minimizes chromatic aberration, which reduces color fringing and results in sharper, more accurate images, especially at higher zoom levels.^[4][8][10] Xiaomi stated this telephoto module uses three precisely matched lens groups and a prism to overcome traditional image quality limitations in mid-to-long focal lengths.^[4] The main camera features a 50MP 1-inch Light Hunter 1050L sensor (also referred to as Light Fusion 1050L) with an f/1.67 aperture.^[1][5][6] This sensor incorporates LOFIC (Lateral Overflow Integration Capacitor) technology, which significantly enhances dynamic range.^{[1][5][6][10]} This technology allows the camera to capture more detail in both bright highlights and deep shadows, making it ideal for challenging scenes like fireworks or night cityscapes.^[6][10] Completing the rear setup is a 50MP ultrawide camera, offering a 14mm focal length and a 115-degree field of view, capable of 5cm macro shots.^[1][8][6] For selfies, the phone includes a 50MP front-facing camera.^[1] The partnership with Leica has evolved into a "Strategic Co-creation Model," moving beyond joint research and development.^[2][4] This deeper collaboration integrates Leica's century-old expertise in optics and aesthetic philosophy directly into the smartphone's imaging system from its inception.^[4] Matthias Harsch, CEO of Leica Camera AG, previously noted that the partnership combines optical precision with technological innovation, bringing new forms of expression to smartphone photography.^[11] ### Power and Visual Excellence Under the hood, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra is powered by Qualcomm's latest Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 system-on-chip (SoC), built on a 3-nanometer process.^{[1][12][2][5][8][6]} This powerful processor ensures top-tier performance for demanding applications, gaming, and advanced AI features integrated into the phone's software. The device comes with up to 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM and up to 1TB of UFS 4.1 storage, providing ample space and speed for users.^{[1][12][2][5][8][10]} The smartphone features a large 6.9-inch M10 AMOLED LTPO display.^{[1][12][2][5][8][6]} This screen offers a dynamic refresh rate that adjusts from 1Hz to 120Hz for smooth visuals and power efficiency.^[1][2][6] It delivers a sharp 2608 x 1200-pixel resolution and can reach an impressive peak brightness of up to 3,500 nits, ensuring excellent visibility even in bright sunlight.^{[1][12][2][5][8][6]} The display is protected by Xiaomi's durable Dragon Crystal Glass 3.0.^[1] Notably, the 17 Ultra is the first in Xiaomi's Ultra line to feature a flat display, a shift from previous curved panels, which the company says improves handling.^[4][10] The Xiaomi 17 Ultra is equipped with a substantial 6,800mAh silicon-carbon battery, the largest ever in a Xiaomi Ultra series phone.^[1][6] It supports rapid charging with 90W wired fast charging and 50W wireless charging.^[1][2][5][6] Additionally, it offers 22.5W wired reverse charging, allowing users to power other devices.^[1][2] To manage heat from its powerful components, the phone includes a new heat dissipation system with a dual-path self-driven ring cold pump, enhancing cooling efficiency by 50% compared to its predecessor.^[6] ### Premium Design and Software The Xiaomi 17 Ultra showcases a refined design, measuring 8.29mm in thickness, making it the thinnest Ultra model released by Xiaomi to date.^[4][6] The device maintains a premium aesthetic with a micro-curved aluminum alloy frame and a distinct circular camera island on the back, co-branded with Leica.^[4][6][10] It is available in a variety of colors, including Black, Off-White, Cool Smoke Purple, and Starry Green.^{[1][7][13][4][6]} A special Xiaomi 17 Ultra Leica Edition offers additional features, including a unique design inspired by Leica M-series cameras.^[1][4] This edition includes a mechanical zoom ring around the camera module, which allows users to physically adjust focal length, exposure, and white balance for more tactile control over their photography.^[1][4][8][6] The phone also boasts robust durability with IP66, IP68, and IP69 ratings for dust and water resistance, ensuring it can withstand various environmental conditions.^[1][4][8][6] The smartphone runs on Xiaomi's HyperOS 3.0, which comes with several integrated AI features.^[1][2] This operating system aims to enhance cross-ecosystem connectivity and user experience.^[4] Lu Weibing, President of Xiaomi, emphasized that the goal of the Xiaomi 17 Ultra is to create a flagship camera smartphone that offers stress-free everyday use.^[6] ### Pricing and Market Strategy The Xiaomi 17 Ultra is positioned as a high-end offering in the competitive smartphone market. In China, the standard model starts at CNY 6,999 (approximately $995) for the 12GB RAM and 512GB storage configuration.^{[1][7][14][2][5]} The 16GB RAM and 512GB storage variant is priced at CNY 7,499 (about $1,065), while the top-tier 16GB RAM and 1TB storage model costs CNY 8,499 (around $1,210).^{[1][7][14][2][5]} For the Xiaomi 17 Ultra Leica Edition, prices begin at CNY 7,999 (roughly $1,140) for the 16GB RAM and 512GB storage option, and go up to CNY 8,999 (approximately $1,280) for the 16GB RAM and 1TB storage version.^{[1][7][14][2]} Xiaomi's CEO, Lei Jun, indicated that the decision to skip directly to the "17" series name, bypassing a "16" model, was a strategic move to directly compete with Apple's iPhone 17 series in the premium segment.^[6] The launch of the Xiaomi 17 Ultra underscores the company's commitment to innovation in mobile imaging and its ambition to challenge established players in the global flagship smartphone market.^[6][15]

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