Xiaomi 17 Ultra Hands-On (By Leica Edition): Unboxing & Camera … Review: Better Than the Competition?
Smartphone photography has reached a plateau – until now. While the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra and iPhone 17 Pro Max deliver excellent results, Xiaomi’s latest flagship, the 17 Ultra by Leica, dares to be different. Not just with specs, but with soul. Co-developed with the legendary German optics house, this isn’t just another Android slab – it’s a love letter to classic rangefinder cameras, reimagined for the digital age. From its tactile zoom ring to its dual-tone vegan leather back, the Leica Edition feels like a tool for creators, not just consumers.
In The Hand
The moment you lift the Xiaomi 17 Ultra by Leica, you notice the weight – 230 grams of solid engineering. But it’s not just heft; it’s balance. The phone features a striking dual-tone design: the lower half wrapped in textured vegan leather, echoing the iconic Leica M series, while the upper section sports a sleek matte finish. Between them, a knurled aluminum frame engraved with “LEICA CAMERA GERMANY” provides a satisfying grip and a tactile nod to vintage cameras.
And then there’s the red dot. For the first time on a Xiaomi device, the legendary Leica red dot badge sits proudly on the back – not as decoration, but as a seal of imaging excellence. It’s subtle, elegant, and instantly recognizable.
But the real showstopper? The Master Zoom Ring. This rotating bezel encircles the camera island and isn’t just for show. Embedded with 20 high-strength ball bearings, it offers buttery-smooth rotation with precise haptic feedback. Turn it, and you’re not just adjusting zoom – you’re engaging with photography like a pro. An internal optical displacement sensor detects movements as tiny as 0.03mm, enabling surgical focus control. And yes, despite the moving parts, the phone retains its IP68 (and even IP69) dust and water resistance thanks to a clever sealing design.
Unboxing the Leica Edition feels like opening a premium camera kit. Inside the oversized box, you’ll find:
- Phone: The Xiaomi 17 Ultra by Leica in its signature dual-tone finish.
- Charger: A 100W GaN charger (even though the phone caps at 90W – nice bonus).
- Cable: Braided USB-A to USB-C cable.
- Case: Magnetic protective case with cutout for the zoom ring.
- Lens Cap: Metal Leica-branded cap that attaches magnetically.
- Accessories: Red wrist strap and microfiber cleaning cloth.
It’s clear Xiaomi wants you to treat this device like a camera – not just a phone.
Photo & Video Quality
Under the hood, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra by Leica packs serious firepower. The main camera uses a 50MP 1-inch-type sensor – the Omnivision OV50X, also known as Light Fusion 1050L – with LOFIC technology for superior dynamic range. In practice, this means stunning highlight retention and cleaner shadows, especially in high-contrast scenes like backlit portraits or sunset landscapes.
The telephoto system is where things get revolutionary. Instead of fixed focal lengths, Xiaomi introduces a continuous optical zoom from 75mm to 100mm (3.2x to 4.3x), powered by a 200MP periscope lens with Leica APO certification. This is the first smartphone lens with apochromatic correction, drastically reducing chromatic aberration – those annoying purple and green fringes around edges. The three moving lens groups inside allow true optical zoom without digital cropping, preserving detail across the entire range.
Daylight shots are crisp, vibrant, and full of depth. The ultrawide (50MP, 115° FoV) holds its own against rivals, with minimal distortion. Low-light performance is exceptional – thanks to the large sensor and advanced processing, night shots retain texture and avoid the over-smoothed look common in other flagships.
Selfies get a major upgrade too: a 50MP front camera with autofocus delivers sharp, natural-looking portraits with accurate skin tones.
Video capabilities include 8K@30fps and 4K@120fps recording on the main sensor, with Dolby Vision HDR support. While Xiaomi hasn’t emphasized video as much as stills, the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5’s powerful ISP ensures smooth, detailed footage. That said, some users report slight telephoto shake during handheld video – something to watch for if you’re filming on the go.
Comparison: Xiaomi 17 Ultra Hands-On (By Leica Edition): Unboxing & Camera … vs Rivals
How does it stack up against the competition? Let’s break it down:
- vs Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra: The S25 Ultra has a brighter 6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display (498 PPI vs 416 PPI) and slightly lighter build (218g). But the Xiaomi wins in zoom flexibility – its continuous optical zoom outperforms Samsung’s hybrid approach. Color science is more filmic on the Xiaomi, while Samsung leans toward punchy saturation. Battery life is comparable, though Xiaomi’s 6,800mAh cell edges ahead.
- vs iPhone 17 Pro Max: Apple’s computational photography remains unmatched in consistency, but the Xiaomi offers more manual control and a tactile shooting experience. The zoom ring gives it an edge for enthusiasts who want to “feel” their shots. Video stabilization is better on iPhone, but Xiaomi closes the gap with gyro-EIS and Dolby Vision.
- vs Vivo X300 Pro: Vivo leads in periscope zoom reach (up to 200x), but Xiaomi’s APO-certified optics deliver cleaner mid-range zoom with less chromatic distortion. Build quality and Leica tuning give Xiaomi a more premium feel.
Zoom range comparison:
- 0.6x – Ultrawide
- 1x – Main (23mm)
- 2x – Digital crop from main
- 3.2x–4.3x – Continuous optical zoom (75–100mm)
- 8.6x – Hybrid zoom
- 30x – Digital zoom
- 120x – Max digital (with AI enhancement)
Should You Upgrade?
Best for: Photography enthusiasts, Leica fans, and anyone tired of sterile smartphone designs. If you value tactile controls, optical innovation, and a camera-first philosophy, this is a compelling choice.
Pros: Revolutionary continuous optical zoom, Leica APO lens certification, premium build with zoom ring, excellent low-light performance, generous 6,800mAh battery.
Cons: China-only launch (for now), no dedicated camera shutter button, telephoto video stabilization could be better, slightly heavier than rivals.
At ¥7,999 (~$1,100) for the 512GB model, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra by Leica isn’t cheap – but it’s priced below the Galaxy S25 Ultra while offering a more unique, photographer-centric experience. If you’re ready to move beyond point-and-shoot smartphones and embrace a device that feels like a real camera, this might just be your next upgrade.
Tags: Xiaomi 17 Ultra, Leica Edition, smartphone camera, zoom ring, periscope zoom, APO lens, continuous optical zoom, Leica red dot, Android 16, Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, 200MP camera, 1-inch sensor, unboxing, flagship phone, photography phone
