Readers who have watched our review of the Xiaomi 15 Ultra may recall that the device left a rather underwhelming impression. The generational upgrades were modest, and the phone lacked truly distinctive features. After spending time with the Xiaomi 17 Ultra, however, the reasoning behind that becomes clear: Xiaomi appears to have reserved its most ambitious efforts for this generation.
In this hands-on article, we begin with the unboxing experience before focusing on the key upgrades that define the Xiaomi 17 Ultra.
Where to buy
Unboxing
Much like the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra arrives in a flatter and elongated package compared to previous generations. The contents are identical to those of the Pro Max variant, including documentation, a SIM ejector tool, a transparent protective case, and a USB-A to USB-C cable.
Xiaomi also includes the same 100W charger, although it is worth noting that the handset itself supports up to 90W wired charging.
Telephoto With True Optical Zoom
When discussing smartphone optical zoom, Sony’s Xperia 1 series is often the first reference point. With the Xiaomi 17 Ultra, that benchmark may need to be reconsidered. The telephoto sensor on this device is more than twice the size of Sony’s equivalent, paired with a lens constructed from three glass elements and certified under Leica’s APO standards.
While extensive sample testing is still underway, early impressions strongly suggest that this may be the most capable optical zoom camera currently available on a smartphone. Zoom transitions are exceptionally smooth, image quality remains consistent across focal lengths, and—crucially—optical zoom is fully usable during video recording. This lossless zoom experience is both practical and rare. Although the 75–100mm range may appear limited on paper, it proves to be well-judged for real-world photography.
Beyond the telephoto lens, the rest of the camera system largely maintains the standard set by the 15 Ultra. The ultra-wide camera retains a 14mm focal length rather than shifting to a less versatile 17mm, while the new 1-inch main sensor now incorporates LOFIC technology. At this point, the hardware specification leaves little room for complaint.
Leica Special Edition: More Than Specifications
Had only the telephoto lens received meaningful upgrades, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra might still have felt incremental. What truly elevates the device is the introduction of the Leica Special Edition.
In a market where hardware differentiation has become increasingly narrow, emotional value and brand identity play a critical role. The Xiaomi 17 Ultra by Leica addresses this directly. For the first time, the iconic Leica red dot appears on a Xiaomi handset, accompanied by a rotating zoom ring, exclusive Leica engravings on the frame, and dedicated Leica color profiles.
The attention to detail extends to the accessories. The Leica edition includes an additional Leica-branded lens cap, a lanyard, and a cleaning cloth. The charging cable is upgraded to a braided design, while the custom phone case accommodates the rotating zoom ring and integrates magnets compatible with MagSafe accessories.
Remarkably, this special edition is priced at only around $71 more than the standard model. At this price difference, it feels less like an optional variant and more like the definitive version of the Xiaomi 17 Ultra. For photography enthusiasts, it represents something closer to a pocketable Leica camera with genuine optical zoom rather than a conventional smartphone.
We were able to secure a pre-order of this Leica edition and will be sharing a more detailed assessment after extended use in the full review.
Other Upgrades
The remaining changes are more iterative in nature. With one camera removed from the array, the camera module is marginally smaller, contributing to a slight reduction in overall thickness. The circular volume buttons remain unchanged—hardly a functional upgrade, but a subtle design refresh nonetheless. There is still no dedicated camera control button on the frame, and the photography kit continues to omit a teleconverter.
As expected, the chipset has been updated to the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5. Given the early release timing, concerns about near-term obsolescence are minimal. The display matches that of the 17 Pro Max: a large, flat panel with a specialized pixel arrangement designed to balance sharpness and power efficiency.
Battery capacity stands at 6,800mAh, paired with 90W wired and 50W wireless charging. While not as extreme as the Pro Max configuration, it is more than sufficient for demanding daily use. Ultimately, this is Xiaomi’s most powerful smartphone to date—and easily the most compelling the company has produced so far.
Conclusion
To the best of our knowledge, until at least 2027, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra stands alone as the only smartphone combining a 1-inch main sensor with a telephoto camera capable of true optical zoom. Its imaging strategy diverges sharply from other “Ultra” flagships currently on the market.
Regardless of how the Xiaomi 17 Ultra is ultimately judged in long-term testing, the Leica Special Edition delivers a level of emotional appeal unmatched by its peers. In the coming weeks, we will share our real-world experience along with a full set of sample images during the New Year period.