Xiaomi Unveils 17 Ultra With 1-Inch Leica Sensor, 200MP Zoom to Rival iPhone 17 Pro [Video]

Xiaomi has announced its latest flagship devices, bringing the Xiaomi 17 smartphone series and Pad 8 tablet lineup to the global market. Positioned to compete with Apple's high-end hardware, the new devices emphasize Leica-engineered cameras, high-capacity batteries, and Qualcomm's newest silicon.



The phone lineup centers on the standard Xiaomi 17 and the higher-end 17 Ultra. Both run on Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 Mobile Platform, delivering the processing power needed for heavy multitasking and on-device AI features. Durability is a clear focus this year. The phones feature an aluminum alloy frame and Xiaomi Shield Glass protecting an OLED display that peaks at 3,500 nits of brightness. The Ultra model also introduces Xiaomi's custom M10 panel and HyperRGB technology for improved clarity and power efficiency.


The camera system is where the Ultra attempts to differentiate itself. Extending its partnership with Leica, Xiaomi equipped the 17 Ultra with its first 1-inch LOFIC main camera sensor designed to improve dynamic range. It also includes a 200MP Leica telephoto camera with a 75–100mm mechanical optical zoom, expandable to a 400mm equivalent through advanced sensor technology. That approach contrasts with the one Apple took with the iPhone 17 Pro and its 8x optical zoom. For video, the Ultra supports Dolby Vision or ACES Log recording at up to 4K 120fps on both the main and telephoto cameras.



Meanwhile, the standard Xiaomi 17 features a Light Fusion 950 main sensor, a Leica 60mm floating telephoto lens, and support for 4K 60fps Dolby Vision and Log recording.

To power the hardware, Xiaomi is using its new Surge Battery architecture featuring 16% silicon content for improved energy density. The standard 17 packs a 6,330mAh battery into an 8.06mm chassis, while the 17 Ultra houses a 6,000mAh cell in an 8.29mm frame. The Ultra supports 90W wired HyperCharge and 50W wireless charging, while the standard model reaches 100W wired HyperCharge and 50W wireless charging. The series also supports 100W PD-PPS charging compatibility.



Alongside the main lineup, Xiaomi also unveiled a specialty device marking a century of Leica heritage. The Leica Leitzphone features a nickel-anodized aluminum body and a physical, knurled Leica Camera Ring dial designed to mimic the feel of a traditional lens, along with a Leica-tuned interface and an Essential mode inspired by classic Leica cameras.


On the tablet side, the new Xiaomi Pad 8 Series targets the premium segment currently occupied by the M5 iPad Pro. The Pad 8 and Pad 8 Pro both feature 11.2-inch 3.2K displays with up to 800 nits of brightness and 144Hz refresh rates. They measure just 5.75mm thick while housing a 9,200mAh battery. The Pro model runs on the Snapdragon 8 Elite Mobile Platform and supports 67W HyperCharge, while the standard version uses the Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 Mobile Platform with 45W turbo charging. Software upgrades under Xiaomi HyperOS 3 include a PC-level browser, enhanced split-screen window management, and system-level AI tools.



Pricing for the Xiaomi 17 starts at EUR 999, with the 17 Ultra starting at EUR 1,499. The Leica Leitzphone is priced at EUR 1,999. The Pad 8 and Pad 8 Pro start at EUR 449.9 and EUR 549.9, respectively. Customers in eligible markets will also receive trial offers for Google AI Pro, YouTube Premium, and Spotify Premium.

Take a look at the videos below for more details...