Technology and Science06 April, 20261 min read
Xiaomi 17 Ultra Launches as a Leica-Certified Photographic AI Tool
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Leica partnership marks milestone in Xiaomi's mobile photography strategy. Optical zoom capability is part of the Leica Edition.
Launch and Market Position
Xiaomi launched the 17 Ultra on December 25 as a co-engineered product with Leica. The phone will initially be sold in China with a planned European launch in early 2026. It is positioned at the high end with a price exceeding €1,500.
Camera Hardware and Optics
The 17 Ultra features a Leica-certified 50-megapixel 1-inch main sensor with a Summilux lens. It includes a telephoto periscope lens with continuous optical zoom certified as Leica APO. The phone includes external attachments for one-handed video and photo controls.
Photographic Software and Experience
Xiaomi and Leica co-developed 12 photographic profiles and proprietary LUTs. The phone incorporates LOFIC HDR and multi-frame processing. The Leica Special Edition features a mechanical rotary ring for continuous zoom control.
Screen, Processor, and Other Hardware
The phone uses Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 processor. It features a 6.9-inch AMOLED screen with a 120Hz refresh rate. The screen has an ultra-bright 3,500 nits peak brightness.
Unique Features and Market Impact
The phone includes a microSD card slot supporting over 1TB of additional storage. A Leica Special Edition adds a mechanical rotary ring for zoom control. Xiaomi aims to leverage Leica's heritage to elevate mobile photography.