Xiaomi has officially introduced the Xiaomi 17 Ultra, and this time the focus is clearly on users who enjoy hands-on photography. The new flagship combines powerful hardware with a unique physical camera control, aiming to deliver a more immersive shooting experience rather than relying only on software-based controls.
Physical Camera Control Makes a Comeback
One of the standout design elements of the Xiaomi 17 Ultra is the large circular camera module on the back. Surrounding this module is a manual control ring, a feature rarely seen on modern smartphones. Instead of tapping on-screen sliders, users can rotate this ring to interact directly with the camera, making adjustments feel more precise and natural.
Xiaomi launched the phone in China alongside a special Leica Edition, which takes this physical control concept even further and targets serious photography enthusiasts.
Leica-Branded Camera Setup
The Xiaomi 17 Ultra uses a triple rear camera system developed with Leica. At the core is a 50MP primary camera built around a 1-inch Light Fusion 1050L sensor, designed to capture more light and finer details.
Alongside it is a 200MP periscope telephoto camera that supports continuous optical zoom from 75mm to 100mm, allowing smooth zoom transitions without sudden jumps. The third camera is a 50MP ultrawide lens with autofocus, making it suitable for wide shots as well as close-up photography. Together, these cameras are built to cover a wide range of shooting scenarios.
Leica Edition Focuses on Manual Photography
The Xiaomi 17 Ultra Leica Edition adds more depth to the physical control ring. The ring is engineered with 20 precision ball bearings and can detect extremely small movements, down to 0.03mm. Rotating it automatically opens the camera app, and users can assign functions such as manual focus or exposure adjustment based on their preferences.
Design-wise, this edition draws inspiration from Leica’s M-series cameras, featuring a dual-tone finish, textured leather elements, Leica’s signature red badge, and exclusive film-style colour profiles that mimic classic Leica photography looks.
Display and Performance
On the front, the phone features a 6.9-inch flat LTPO AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate. The panel reaches a peak brightness of 3,500 nits, making it suitable for outdoor use and HDR content.
Performance is handled by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor, paired with up to 16GB of RAM and 1TB of internal storage. The phone runs HyperOS 3.0, Xiaomi’s latest software platform.
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Battery, Charging, and Build
Despite housing Xiaomi’s largest Ultra-series battery, the phone remains slim at 8.29mm. It includes a 6,800mAh silicon-carbon battery, supporting 90W wired charging and 50W wireless charging.
For durability, Xiaomi has equipped the device with IP66, IP68, and IP69 ratings, offering strong resistance against dust and water.
Price and Availability
In China, the standard Xiaomi 17 Ultra is priced from CNY 6,999, which converts to roughly Rs 89,455. The Leica Edition starts at CNY 7,999, or around Rs 1,02,235. Both versions are scheduled to go on sale starting December 27.
Final Thoughts
The Xiaomi 17 Ultra is not just about powerful specifications; it’s about changing how users interact with smartphone cameras. By bringing back a physical control ring and pairing it with high-end Leica-tuned hardware, Xiaomi is clearly targeting photography lovers who want more control from their phones. The Leica Edition adds even more character, making the 17 Ultra one of the most distinctive flagship launches this year.
