- The Xiaomi 17 Ultra has been officially launched in China and will later arrive in global markets such as Spain and Europe.
- It features a triple 1-inch camera system and a 200MP periscope telephoto lens, developed in full co-creation with Leica.
- It features a 2K LTPO AMOLED flat screen, Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, HyperOS 3 and a battery of up to 6.800 mAh with 100W fast charging.
- Refined design with a thickness of 8,29 mm, new colors such as Starry Green and a clear focus on premium mobile photography.
The Xiaomi 17 Ultra is now official and is positioned as the Chinese brand's big bet, just like the Xiaomi 15 Ultra , to dominate the high-end market in the coming months. Initially launched in China, this model arrives on an unusual date for the industry, December 25th, as a kind of Christmas gift for its local market, while its global rollout is being prepared, with a particular focus on Europe and Spain.
Beyond the date, what truly sets it apart is its focus on photography. The device was conceived to be Xiaomi's most advanced camera phone , reinforcing its partnership with Leica and debuting a new co-creation model that goes far beyond simple color adjustments or filters.
Presentation, markets and launch strategy
Xiaomi itself confirmed on Weibo that the Xiaomi 17 Ultra would launch in China on December 25th at 19:00 PM local time. This translates to 12:00 PM in Spain , an unusual time for this type of announcement but one that guarantees significant media visibility during the Christmas shopping season.
In this first phase, the phone will be sold exclusively in the Chinese market , although the company has made it clear that the device is intended for international release. All signs point to its global launch taking place at a major international event , with many eyes on the upcoming MWC in Barcelona, a regular venue for Xiaomi's high-end European launches and models like the Xiaomi 16 Ultra.
This earlier release schedule marks a change of pace compared to previous generations like the Xiaomi 15 Ultra, which arrived later on the international market. This move aligns with the brand's strategy to get ahead of rivals like Samsung and its upcoming Galaxy S series, and to strengthen its position in the ultra-premium segment.
A design that continues the previous one, but is more polished and features a completely flat screen.
At first glance, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra doesn't stray from its predecessors, but it does refine many details. The standout feature on the back remains the large circular camera module designed by Leica , now better integrated into the chassis and complemented by a cleaner, more understated finish.
The device boasts a slim body, measuring just 8,29 mm thick (excluding the camera bump), with flat edges and a more comfortable feel in the hand. The brand has opted for a 2D flat screen , abandoning the sharp curves that so divided users. A slight curve remains at the corners to soften the grip, but the touch surface is completely flat, something many will appreciate to avoid accidental touches.
On the front, we find a 6,8-inch LTPO AMOLED panel with 2K (WQHD+) resolution, capable of adapting its refresh rate between 1 and 120 Hz to balance smoothness and power consumption. The maximum brightness reaches 3.500 nits , so HDR content and photos are easily visible even in direct sunlight, and the screen is protected by the new generation of Xiaomi Shield Glass 2.0.
In terms of materials, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra maintains a metal frame and glass back construction, with IP68 water and dust resistance certification . In other words, it retains the classic premium aesthetic of the Ultra range, but with a slightly more practical and less cluttered front.
Colors and finishes: the new Starry Green is turning heads
The Xiaomi 17 Ultra's color palette combines classic and new options. The brand continues to offer the traditional black and white finishes , two safe bets for those who prefer a discreet design that's easy to match with phone cases.
The big news is the Starry Green color , a dark green hue with a starry effect and mineral particles embedded in the back panel. This finish aims to simulate a metallic touch and a space-inspired aesthetic, something that is evident in the official images and makes it the most striking option of the trio.
Some leaks have also mentioned other color variations , such as a possible violet or a special version in Leica's classic red , intended for specific markets or limited editions. While not all of these versions are confirmed for Europe, they do demonstrate Xiaomi's intention to experiment more with visual identity in the Ultra range.
Whatever the color, the circular camera module keeps the Leica logo clearly visible in the center, reinforcing the idea that photography is the axis around which the entire design of the device revolves.
Total co-creation with Leica: the definitive leap in mobile photography
One of the most significant changes in the Xiaomi 17 Ultra isn't immediately apparent, but it marks a turning point in the collaboration between the two brands. Xiaomi and Leica have moved from a simple R&D collaboration model to a complete co-creation scheme , working together from the initial design phases of the camera system.
This means that Leica is involved in the optical architecture, the selection and design of sensors, the computational processing algorithms, and the image philosophy . The goal is for the photographic experience to have its own distinctive, recognizable, and consistent character across all focal lengths, rather than being limited to filters or color profiles.
In official statements, Xiaomi itself speaks of a "new starting point for optics" and a revolution in night vision and telephoto lens creation . The brand emphasizes that it has sought to rely less on artificial intelligence to "enhance" the photo and focus more on the quality of the optical hardware and sensor.
This focus is especially noticeable in the telephoto lens, the main technical protagonist of the set, but also in the one-inch main sensor with specific technology to expand the dynamic range and in the uniform color treatment between all the cameras.
A triple camera system with a 1-inch sensor and a 200MP telephoto lens
The Xiaomi 17 Ultra abandons the quad-camera setup of some previous models and opts for a more specialized triple-camera arrangement , in which each sensor has a very clear role. The idea is to prioritize the quality of each module over simply adding cameras for marketing purposes, a trend already seen in the Xiaomi 15 Ultra.
The heart of the system is a 1-inch main sensor from the OmniVision family (Light Fusion/Light Hunter 1050L), with a resolution of 50 megapixels and an f/1.67 aperture . This sensor debuts LOFIC technology , designed to expand the dynamic range and prevent highlights from being "blown out" in complex scenes, while also reducing noise in night photography.
Alongside this sensor is a 50-megapixel ultra-wide-angle lens with a 14mm equivalent focal length , ideal for landscapes, architecture, and creative shots. The calibration has been carefully monitored to maintain the same color signature as the main camera , a crucial factor when switching between lenses for photos and videos.
The biggest leap forward, however, is in the telephoto lens. Xiaomi integrates a 200MP periscope telephoto lens based on the Samsung ISOCELL HPE (1/1,4”) sensor, covering a focal range of 75mm to 100mm with approximately 3x to 4,3x continuous optical zoom . Instead of relying on digital cropping, the lens physically moves to deliver real magnification throughout that entire zoom range.
This telephoto lens features a floating lens structure and has earned Leica Apochromatic (APO) certification , a proprietary optical standard for high-end lenses that improves chromatic aberration correction and sharpness in high-contrast scenes. It also includes a macro mode , allowing for close-up shots with a level of detail rarely seen in a periscope zoom lens.
Night photography, video, and camera experience
With this hardware, the brand claims the Xiaomi 17 Ultra aims to address the typical shortcomings of mobile photography , especially in night scenes and with telephoto lenses. The combination of a large 1-inch sensor, LOFIC technology, and APO optics promises to improve detail in both shadows and very bright highlights.
The collaboration with Leica is also evident in the image processing : classic Leica modes (with different color and contrast styles) are retained, but finer adjustments have been added for those seeking a less artificial image. The result, according to the first samples shown by the brand, is photos with more natural textures and less over-processing.
In terms of video, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra is capable of recording in 8K resolution and offers various cinematic modes, as well as advanced AI-based functions, although the stated philosophy is to rely on artificial intelligence to help, not to compensate for lens or sensor deficiencies.
On the front, the selfie camera also takes a leap forward, with a 50-megapixel sensor designed to improve both video calls and vlogging. The brand is focusing on greater clarity and stability in the front camera , a feature increasingly valued by content creators.
Maximum power with Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 and HyperOS 3
Beyond photography, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra boasts hardware worthy of a flagship device. Inside, it features the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 , the most powerful SoC in the brand's current lineup, manufactured using a 3nm process and designed to deliver improvements in both raw performance and energy efficiency.
This processor is paired with up to 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM and up to 1TB of UFS 4.1 storage , configurations designed for users who handle large volumes of photos, videos, and resource-intensive apps. Variants with 12GB of RAM and 512GB of storage have also been mentioned in the Chinese market at more affordable prices.
The operating system is HyperOS 3 , based on Android 16 , which focuses on greater integration with Xiaomi's product ecosystem (tablets, televisions, watches, smart home devices, etc.) and a new image processing system that takes advantage of the three rear cameras. It also incorporates new AI features for multitasking, photo and video editing, and intelligent resource management.
In terms of connectivity, the device is ready for the coming years: it offers 5G, WiFi 7, Bluetooth 5.6 and a USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 port , guaranteeing high speeds in both networking and file transfer, a relevant feature for those who work with audiovisual material from their mobile device.
Battery, fast charging and autonomy
One of the areas where Xiaomi has focused its efforts is battery life. The Xiaomi 17 Ultra features a silicon-carbon battery with a capacity of up to 6.800 mAh , a very high figure for a phone of this thickness and weight. Some previous rumors even mentioned configurations close to 7.000 mAh, which makes it clear that the brand has prioritized long-lasting battery life, even with intensive camera use.
For charging, the device supports 100W wired fast charging and up to 80W wireless charging (depending on the region and final configuration), so it is possible to recover a good part of the battery in a few minutes if you have the appropriate chargers.
Xiaomi has also improved internal heat dissipation , an important aspect considering the combination of a powerful processor, large battery, and fast charging. The idea is to keep temperatures under control during both gaming sessions and extended video recording.
Although there is still no official data on its battery life in real-world scenarios in Europe, on paper the combination of high-capacity battery, LTPO screen and efficient chip points to a fairly comfortable experience for everyday use, even for those who overuse the camera or streaming content.
Price in China and what we can expect in Europe and Spain
In the Chinese market, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra is clearly positioned in the ultra-premium segment . Initial price reports indicate configurations starting at around 6.999 yuan for the 12GB RAM and 512GB storage version, and reaching up to 8.499 yuan for the 16GB RAM and 1TB model.
Converted directly, these figures translate to slightly more than 800-1.000 euros , but it's worth remembering that prices in Europe are usually higher due to taxes, tariffs, and distribution costs. It wouldn't be unreasonable to expect a starting price of around 1.400-1.500 euros for the Spanish market, in line with what the brand has done with previous generations.
The big question, aside from the price, is when it will arrive in Spain and the rest of Europe . Given past experience, Xiaomi might take advantage of a major international trade show, such as the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, to launch the 17 Ultra and the rest of the Xiaomi 17 family globally.
Until that happens, the model will remain exclusive to China , but the brand's communication strategy makes it clear that its ultimate goal is to establish itself as a leading alternative in mobile photography in the European market as well.
Based on everything we've learned so far, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra appears to be a phone that doesn't aim to revolutionize design, but rather to take what already worked well a step further, focusing primarily on a very ambitious triple-camera system , deeper collaboration with Leica, and a combination of power, screen, and battery on par with the top-of-the-line models. It remains to be seen how all this will translate into the real-world experience in Spain and what its final price will be in our market, but on paper, it looks set to be one of the phones to watch very closely in the premium segment.
