Sure, maybe the Xiaomi 17 and the Xiaomi 17 Pro series feel like they are out to get the iPhone 17. But the holy grail of the Xiaomi 17 series is on a completely different level. Not only does it get Leica imaging, but this year, coinciding with Leica’s 100th anniversary, it gets a special model called the Xiaomi 17 Ultra by Leica. And trust me, this one is out to sweep photography enthusiasts off their feet.
The Ultra’s signature large, round camera module on this special model now features a functional stainless steel ring that you can assign photography functions to. And yes, it rotates. A quick twist can instantly launch the camera. You can decide how sensitive the rotation is, which camera mode it opens into, and what the ring controls. Zoom. Exposure. Lens switching. More. I kid you not. Xiaomi has boldly gone where no smartphone maker has gone with the Xiaomi 17 Ultra by Leica.
Also, for the first time, the iconic red circular Leica logo has escaped Leica cameras and landed on a non-Leitz smartphone. That alone says a lot about Leica’s commitment to this flagship.
This special edition ships like a proper collector’s kit. Inside the box, you get a 100 W charging brick, though charging tops out at 90 W, plus 50 W wireless fast charging. There is a braided USB cable, a Leica red wristlet, a silver lens cover with the Leica logo debossed, a Leica-branded lens cloth, and a matching color phone case that is essentially a replica of the phone’s back, complete with the Leica “Coca-Cola” logo and Xiaomi branding exactly where they appear on the device itself.
Aesthetically, the phone retains the dual-tone camera-inspired design. The camera module has been shifted slightly upward, allowing your index finger to rest more naturally when holding the phone. The module is also a bit thinner this time. You get a true flat-edge design, independent plus and minus volume buttons, a function button, and the engraving “LEICA CAMERA GERMANY” on the left side. At 8.46 mm thick, it is slimmer than the Xiaomi 15 Ultra, though it weighs about the same at 229.8 g, thanks largely to that stainless steel ring and its mechanism that comes with it.
Hardware outside of imaging mirrors the 17 Pro Max, including the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 and a 6.9-inch AMOLED display with 120 Hz refresh rate, 2,608 × 1,200 resolution, up to 3,500 nits brightness, 1-nit ultra-low brightness, DC dimming, and Xiaomi Longjing Glass 3.0.
Leica’s influence extends deep into the software. You get Leica camera styles inspired by the M3 and the M9, a Leica-designed UI, fonts, weather visuals, and more. Imaging hardware is serious. A 1-inch 50 MP Light Hunter main camera with ƒ/1.67 aperture and OIS anchors the system. A 200 MP optical zoom camera delivers 3.2–4.3× optical zoom with telephoto macro capability. There is also a 50 MP ultra-wide camera with a 115° field of view and 5 cm macro support. Up front sits a 50 MP selfie camera with autofocus and a 90° field of view.
Power comes from a massive 6,800 mAh battery. Other highlights include Beidou and Tiantong satellite communication, LPDDR5X memory, UFS 4.1 storage, USB-C 3.2 Gen 2, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4 with dual-Bluetooth, NFC, MiPay, a 3D ultrasonic fingerprint sensor, and the full suite of flagship sensors.
There is also a “lesser” Ultra, which drops the stainless steel ring and Leica-designed UI, but keeps the rest intact. Oh, did we mention that this device is IP66, IP68, and IP69 rated for dust and water resistance? Yep. This affords the device up to 6 meters of water resistance. Not that you should take it for a dive, but you’d have peace of mind that rain and an accidental dive in the pool will not kill it.
The Xiaomi 17 Ultra by Leica has launched in China, starting at 7,999 yuan [CH], while the regular 17 Ultra starts at 6,999 yuan [CH].
And here’s couple of images of the Xiaomi 17 Ultra:
Images: Xiaomi [CH].