Key Highlights
- Xiaomi launches the Xiaomi 17 Ultra ahead of MWC 2026 in Barcelona
- The phone features a 200MP telephoto camera with variable optical zoom
- A special Leica Edition adds camera-style controls and classic Leica modes
- Xiaomi also unveils a smart tracker tag, ultra-slim magnetic power bank, and new wearables
Xiaomi has unveiled the Xiaomi 17 Ultra, a camera-focused flagship smartphone, alongside a slate of new devices ahead of Mobile World Congress 2026 in Barcelona. The launch also includes a smart tracking tag, an ultra-slim magnetic power bank, a new smartwatch, earbuds, and an electric scooter.
The Xiaomi 17 Ultra positions imaging as its core focus. It builds on Xiaomi’s long-running partnership with Leica, blending hardware, software, and physical accessories to mimic a dedicated camera experience.
What makes the Xiaomi 17 Ultra camera stand out?
The Xiaomi 17 Ultra ships with a triple-camera setup, but one sensor dominates the conversation.
At the center is a 200-megapixel telephoto camera with a variable focal length of 75mm to 100mm. This allows optical zoom between 3.2x and 4.3x without switching lenses. As a result, users can zoom smoothly while preserving detail.
The primary camera uses a 50MP 1-inch sensor with an f/1.67 aperture, aimed at improving low-light capture and dynamic range. Meanwhile, a 50MP ultra-wide camera with an f/2.2 aperture handles landscape and group shots.
Together, the setup targets users who rely on optical zoom, portrait depth, and consistent image quality across focal lengths.
How does Leica shape the Xiaomi 17 Ultra experience?
Xiaomi’s partnership with Leica goes beyond branding this year.
The phone uses Leica-branded lenses and includes custom color profiles inspired by classic Leica cameras. These filters aim to reproduce Leica’s contrast and tonal balance rather than push aggressive saturation.
Xiaomi also introduced a special Leica Edition of the phone This version features:
- A nickel-anodized aluminum alloy body
- A rotating physical ring that mimics camera zoom controls
- A dedicated Leica Essential Mode
Leica Essential Mode recreates image styles inspired by the Leica M9 and Leica M3, focusing on minimal processing and natural grain.
What powers the Xiaomi 17 Ultra?
Performance hardware matches the phone’s flagship ambitions.
The Xiaomi 17 Ultra runs on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, the same processor used in the Galaxy S26 series.
Up front, the phone features a 6.9-inch HyperRGB OLED display protected by Xiaomi Shield Glass 3.0. The screen targets high brightness and color accuracy, especially for photo review and editing.
Battery capacity reaches 6,000mAh globally, while the China variant increases it to 6,800mAh. Charging support includes:
- 90W wired charging via USB PD-PPS
- 50W wireless HyperCharge
Why is Xiaomi adding camera-style accessories?
Xiaomi is extending the camera concept beyond the phone itself.
The company introduced two snap-on accessories:
- Xiaomi 17 Ultra Photography Kit
- Xiaomi 17 Ultra Photography Kit Pro
Both accessories add physical shutter buttons and video controls. The Pro version goes further. It includes a leather-style finish, zoom controls, and a 2,000mAh built-in battery. It connects via USB-C and enables a new Fastshot mode designed for quick captures.
These add-ons suggest Xiaomi wants users to treat the phone as a modular camera, not just a smartphone.
What are the Xiaomi 17 Ultra prices in Europe?
Xiaomi confirmed availability across the EU and the UK.
Pricing details:
- Xiaomi 17 starts at €999
- Xiaomi 17 Ultra starts at €1,499
- Leica Edition with 16GB RAM and 1TB storage costs €1,999
- Photography Kit: €99.99
- Photography Kit Pro: €199.99
What else did Xiaomi launch alongside the phone?
Xiaomi’s launch event covered far more than smartphones.
Smart tracker tag
Xiaomi unveiled a smart tracking tag that works with Apple Find My and Google Android Find Hub. The tag weighs 10 grams, runs on a button cell battery, and lasts over a year. Pricing starts at €14.9.
Ultra-slim magnetic power bank
The new power bank measures just 6mm thick, weighs 98 grams, and carries a 5,000mAh battery. It supports 22.5W wired charging and 15W wireless charging, with magnetic attachment for compatible phones.
Xiaomi Watch 5
The Xiaomi Watch 5 packs a 930mAh battery, rated for up to six days. It includes gesture controls and can generate a 60-second health report using heart rate, SpO₂, stress, and sleep data.
Conclusion
With the Xiaomi 17 Ultra, Xiaomi is signaling a clear direction ahead of MWC 2026.
The company is blending high-resolution imaging, optical zoom flexibility, physical camera controls, and modular accessories into one ecosystem. At the same time, it is expanding into tracking devices, power solutions, and wearables.
