Xiaomi has expanded its flagship lineup with the release of the Xiaomi 17 Ultra Leica Edition, a device that leans heavily into photography-focused hardware while introducing a rare physical control not commonly seen on modern smartphones: a manual zoom ring. The ring sits around the camera module and automatically launches the camera app when rotated, offering a tactile alternative to on-screen zoom controls.
At a hardware level, the 17 Ultra follows the current trend of pushing mobile camera specifications toward professional territory. The main camera uses a 1-inch 50MP sensor with an f/1.67 aperture, paired with a 200MP periscope telephoto sensor and additional 50MP ultrawide and front-facing cameras. While megapixel counts alone rarely tell the full story, the sensor sizes suggest Xiaomi is prioritizing light capture and flexibility over minimalism.
The manual zoom ring is the most distinctive element of the Leica Edition. According to Xiaomi, the ring detects extremely small movements and can be customized to control other parameters such as manual focus or exposure compensation. It represents a deliberate move toward physical interaction in mobile photography, echoing controls found on dedicated cameras rather than touch-only smartphones.
Beyond imaging, both the standard 17 Ultra and the Leica Edition share the same core specifications. They run on the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor, paired with up to 16GB of LPDDR5X memory and up to 1TB of UFS 4.1 storage. The 6.9-inch AMOLED display supports a 120Hz refresh rate and reaches a peak brightness of 3,500 nits, placing it firmly in the top tier for outdoor visibility.
Battery capacity is equally aggressive. A 6,800mAh silicon-carbon battery supports 90W wired charging and 50W wireless charging, addressing one of the common concerns associated with large, high-performance displays and camera systems.
The Leica Edition adds cosmetic and software distinctions rather than functional differences. These include a two-tone exterior finish, textured edges, a red Leica-style front accent, and film simulation modes such as Monopan 50 black and white. Additional features include a dedicated encryption chip, dual-satellite connectivity, and a 3:2 shooting mode branded as Leica Moments. The package also includes accessories like a lens cap, magnetic case, and branded cleaning cloth.
The standard Xiaomi 17 Ultra starts at around $995 USD for the 16GB RAM and 512GB storage configuration. The Xiaomi 17 Ultra Leica Edition is priced higher, beginning at approximately $1,140 USD for the same memory and storage tier.
At those levels, both models sit squarely in the ultra-premium smartphone category, competing directly with top-end flagships from Samsung, Google, and Apple rather than undercutting them as Xiaomi devices traditionally have.
