- The Xiaomi 17 Ultra is the first smartphone developed under Xiaomi and Leica’s new Strategic Co-creation Model.
- The device features a Leica-engineered triple camera system, including a 1-inch main sensor and a 200MP telephoto lens with true 75–100mm optical zoom.
- The Xiaomi 17 Ultra introduces the first flat display in the Ultra lineup and is the thinnest model in the series at 8.29mm.
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Xiaomi has officially released the Xiaomi 17 Ultra to global markets at Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2026, expanding availability after its initial debut in China in December 2025. The launch brings Xiaomi’s latest flagship smartphone to international consumers and highlights a significant evolution in the company’s long-standing partnership with Leica.
The Xiaomi 17 Ultra is the first smartphone developed under a newly announced “Strategic Co-creation Model” between Xiaomi and Leica, an initiative that’s said to be redefining smartphone photography through deeper integration of optical engineering and imaging design.
Xiaomi and Leica expand their strategic partnership
At MWC 2026, Xiaomi confirmed that its collaboration with Leica has advanced beyond the earlier joint research and development framework. The new strategic co-creation model involves collaboration from the earliest stages of product design, which permits Leica’s optical expertise and visual philosophy to influence the imaging system from concept to final implementation.
According to Xiaomi, this strategy is intended to deliver a more refined and consistent photography experience. Notably, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra is the first device developed under this enhanced partnership system.
Xiaomi 17 Ultra specifications and features
Refined design with first flat display in the Ultra series
The Xiaomi 17 Ultra boasts a noticeable design shift, becoming the first Ultra-series device to feature a flat display. While it retains the broader design concept of the Xiaomi 17 lineup, the device adopts a cleaner, more linear aesthetic with ultra-thin bezels that emphasize symmetry and visual simplicity.
At just 8.29mm thick, the smartphone is the thinnest Ultra model Xiaomi has released to date. Ergonomic refinements include a micro-curved aluminum alloy frame for improved grip comfort, a reduced camera module ring, and a repositioned camera layout that improves balance during one-handed use.
The device carries an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance and features upgraded dual stereo speakers with AI-based noise reduction to improve clarity during calls and media playback.
Large LTPO OLED display with enhanced brightness and efficiency
The Xiaomi 17 Ultra features a 6.9-inch M10 OLED LTPO display. The screen supports a variable refresh rate ranging from 1Hz to 120Hz, which offers smoother scrolling and improved battery efficiency during static content viewing. With peak brightness reaching 3500 nits, the display gives improved outdoor visibility. It also supports HDR10+ and Dolby Vision for enhanced contrast and color accuracy when streaming compatible content.
Despite the large display, the phone measures just 8.29 mm thick, making it the thinnest Ultra model Xiaomi has produced so far.
Leica-engineered triple camera system
A central highlight of the Xiaomi 17 Ultra is its Leica-engineered triple camera system, which supports a wide range of shooting scenarios from ultra-wide landscape photography to detailed telephoto capture. The system includes a 14mm ultra-wide lens, a 23mm Leica 1-inch Ultra Dynamic main camera, and a Leica 200MP telephoto camera that supports optical zoom across the 75mm to 100mm equivalent range.
The main camera is built on the Light Fusion 1050L sensor and incorporates LOFIC HDR technology. Xiaomi states that the sensor offers a full-well capacity 6.3 times greater than the previous generation, which improves highlight retention and shadow detail in high-contrast or backlit scenes.
The telephoto camera uses three precision-matched lens groups and a prism to achieve true optical zoom across its focal range. It utilizes the full 1/1.4-inch sensor throughout the zoom range, maintaining native 200MP image quality without relying on digital cropping.
Moreover, the telephoto lens features Leica’s APO optical design, which uses custom glass elements to reduce chromatic aberration and eliminate color fringing. Xiaomi says this makes the 17 Ultra its first flagship smartphone to receive Leica APO certification.
Flagship performance and advanced cooling system
The Xiaomi 17 Ultra is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor and is paired with 16GB of RAM, which puts it within the premium flagship category. To maintain performance under sustained workloads, Xiaomi has integrated its 3D Dual-Channel IceLoop cooling system.
The system features a redesigned capillary structure that the company claims improves thermal conductivity by up to 50 percent compared with the previous generation, helping maintain stable performance during gaming, video recording, and multitasking.
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Battery capacity and fast charging support
The device houses a 6000mAh battery designed to support extended usage throughout the day. It supports 90W wired fast charging and 50W wireless charging, along with PPS charging compatibility for broader charger support.
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Photography Kit accessories expand shooting capabilities
Alongside the smartphone, Xiaomi launched two optional accessories for photography enthusiasts. The standard Photography Kit includes a 270mAh battery with magnetic contact charging, a two-stage shutter button, a dedicated video button, and a grip with a hand strap for improved handling. It also includes a magnetic charging cable and carries an IP54 rating for dust and splash resistance.
The Photography Kit Pro offers expanded controls and extended battery capacity. It includes a two-stage trigger, a video button, a customizable dial, a zoom lever, and thumb support for improved stability during shooting. The accessory also features a versatile filter adapter ring and a larger 2000mAh battery. Connected via USB Type-C, the grip can function as a power bank and supports 90W wired HyperCharge. Like the standard kit, it carries an IP54 rating for dust and splash resistance.
Pricing, colors, and availability
The Xiaomi 17 Ultra is available in Black, White, and Starlit Green color options. In Europe, pricing is set at €1,499 for the 16GB + 512GB variant, while the 16GB + 1TB version is priced at €1,699. The Photography Kit is priced at €99, and the Photography Kit Pro costs €199. Xiaomi has begun rolling out the device across several European markets.
Overall, with the global debut of the Xiaomi 17 Ultra at MWC 2026, Xiaomi continues to strengthen its position in the premium smartphone segment. The device boasts a refined design, a high-brightness LTPO display, flagship-level performance hardware, and a Leica co-engineered imaging system developed under a deeper strategic partnership.
