Xiaomi Unveils 17 Ultra, Its New Flagship Model

Xiaomi officially unveiled the 17 Ultra smartphone on its new product launch event held in Beijing, alongside wearable offerings such as the Watch 5 Series and Buds 6. The launch event also introduced a series of smart home appliances, such as Smart Home Screen 11, Mijia Diffused Ceiling Light, and Mijia Central Air Conditioner Dual Fan Pro.

Chinese vendor also announced the upgrade of the cooperation between Xiaomi and Leica. Building upon the joint R&D foundation, the two parties are introducing a new strategic co-creation model, with Xiaomi 17 Ultra being the first product born from this new collaborative framework. This approach integrates Leica's expertise in professional optics, aesthetic philosophy, and interaction principles from camera manufacturing to thoroughly reinvent the mobile imaging experience.

Xiaomi 17 Ultra is the first model in the Ultra line to feature a flat display, while continuing the overall design of the 17 Series. The ultra-thin bezel display and clean, linear form give the device a more streamlined appearance. With a thickness of 8.29mm, it is the thinnest Ultra model Xiaomi has released to date. The device is available in four color options, including White, Black, Purple, and Green.

For photography enthusiasts, Xiaomi introduces two updated sets of photography kits. Both feature a redesigned ergonomic form factor for improved handling and now support magnetic attachment. For daily usage, Xiaomi also launches an ultra-thin composite fiber case, designed to preserve a caseless feel. The new flagship model is equipped with a triple-camera system consisting of a 14mm ultra-wide lens, a 23mm Leica 1-inch ultra dynamic camera, and a Leica 200MP 75-100mm optical zoom telephoto camera, designed to cover a wide range of shooting scenarios. Improvements in optical design and image processing enable cleaner and more accurate night photography, supporting more consistent results in low-light environments.

17 Ultra is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 Mobile Platform. With the 3D Dual-Channel IceLoop System and a new capillary structure, Xiaomi 17 Ultra achieves a 50% improvement in thermal conductivity compared to the previous generation. The smartphone also boasts a state-of-the-art display, featuring a 120Hz LTPO refresh rate and 3500 nits peak brightness. It has a 6800mAh battery packed into the thinnest Xiaomi Ultra body ever, with 90W wired HyperCharge, 50W wireless HyperCharge, and 90W universal PD PPS charging. Dual stereo speakers come with brand-new AI noise reduction. Additionally, IP66, IP68, and IP69 certifications ensure adequate water and dust resistance, allowing worry-free usage under complex environments.

The device also comes in a special “by Leica“ version. It was designed with direct involvement from the original Leica team, and inspired by the classic Leica M-series cameras. The back panel features a dual-tone design, where the textured leather complements a matte finish. The exclusive Leica Camera Ring inherits the classic operational logic of cameras and reimagines it in a new form for the smartphone, with the embedded 20 high-strength ball bearings adding an extra smooth tactile feel.