Xiaomi 17 Ultra Leica Edition Review: Is it a camera king? -

There are phones that focus on specs, and then there are those that aim to evoke a feeling. The Xiaomi 17 Ultra Leica Edition definitely falls into the latter category. From the moment you lift the lid of the box to that satisfying click of the physical camera ring, this device sets itself apart from the typical Android flagship. It’s designed to feel like a camera first—a Leica, to be exact—and a smartphone second.

After diving into every detail you provided, here’s a thorough, human-style exploration of what truly makes this Ultra stand out.

Unboxing Experience: Pure Premium, No Compromises

Xiaomi doesn’t play it safe here. The box itself is large and unapologetically premium, instantly signaling that this is not a regular flagship. Inside, the experience feels closer to unboxing a professional camera than a phone.

You get the Xiaomi 17 Ultra Leica Edition with bold Leica branding, and Xiaomi leans hard into the photography-first identity. The Leica lens cap is not just a gimmick—it actually protects that massive camera module and reinforces the camera-like vibe. The Leica-branded polishing cloth feels premium, almost Apple-level in quality, while the wrist strap (lanyard) makes the phone feel surprisingly comfortable to carry like a compact camera.

The box also includes a 100W charger, although it still uses a USB-A port, paired with a braided USB-A to C cable. A premium protective case is included as well, and even that case has its own integrated moving ring to match the phone’s design language. It’s one of the most thoughtfully packed Ultra phones Xiaomi has ever done.

Design & Build: Functional Luxury Done Right

Xiaomi made a bold design choice this year by going with a completely flat display, moving away from quad-curved panels. It instantly improves usability and makes the phone feel more purposeful rather than flashy.

The aluminum frame has a fine textured pattern on both sides, which isn’t just for looks—it genuinely improves grip and makes the phone feel solid and secure in hand. Around the back, Xiaomi uses a dual-material finish: the bottom 75% is wrapped in vegan leather, while the top section uses a fiberglass finish, visually separating the camera-focused area from the rest of the phone.

The Leica Edition stands apart with subtle but confident Leica branding and a physical control ring around the camera module, which becomes a key part of the overall experience rather than a decorative element.

Hardware & Performance: Built for Power Users

Under the hood, Xiaomi goes all out. The phone is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 5, paired with a massive 16GB of RAM. Storage options are generous, starting at 512GB and going all the way up to 1TB, which makes perfect sense for a camera-centric device that encourages heavy photo and video usage.

The 6800mAh battery is huge by flagship standards and instantly sets expectations for long endurance. Charging is equally serious, with 90W wired charging, 50W wireless charging, and even reverse wireless charging for accessories.

This is clearly a phone built for users who hate compromises.

Software: HyperOS 3 on Android 16

The Xiaomi 17 Ultra Leica Edition runs HyperOS 3 based on Android 16. While this is a Chinese variant, Google services can be installed easily, which removes a major concern for global users.

HyperOS continues Xiaomi’s approach of blending customization with performance, and on hardware this powerful, the experience feels smooth, fast, and well-optimized.

Camera System: The True Reason This Phone Exists

This is where the Xiaomi 17 Ultra Leica Edition stops behaving like a smartphone and starts behaving like a professional imaging tool.

The 50MP main camera uses a massive 1-inch-type sensor with an f/1.7 aperture, allowing exceptional light intake and natural depth. The 50MP ultra-wide camera supports autofocus, making it far more versatile than typical ultra-wide sensors.

But the real magic lies in the 200MP telephoto lens. Instead of fixed steps, it offers continuous optical zoom between 75 mm and 100 mm, roughly 3.2x to 4.3x, which is rare and incredibly useful for real-world photography.

On the front, Xiaomi doesn’t cut corners either, offering a 50MP selfie camera.

The standout feature is the physical control ring around the camera module. It can be customized to control zoom, exposure, or filters, provides haptic feedback, and even acts as a quick camera launcher. It feels tactile, responsive, and genuinely addictive to use.

Leica’s influence shines through the software as well, with modes like Leica Authentic, Leica Vibrant, and classic monochrome profiles inspired by Leica M9 and M3 cameras. These aren’t gimmicks—they dramatically change the mood and character of photos.

Durability & Extras: Ultra Means Ultra

The phone carries IP68 and IP69 ratings, offering serious protection against water and dust. Xiaomi also adds satellite communication, a feature exclusive to the 17 Ultra Leica Edition, pushing it further into premium flagship territory.

Price & Value: Aggressive for What You Get

The 16GB + 512GB variant is priced around 7000 yuan in China. Considering the hardware, camera system, and Leica-specific additions, this pricing feels aggressive but fair for a true Ultra flagship.

Xiaomi 17 Ultra Leica Edition key specifications

Design: Flat display with dual-material vegan leather back
Performance: Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 with 16GB RAM
Battery: Massive 6800 mAh with fast wired & wireless charging
Camera: 1-inch 50MP main + 200MP continuous zoom telephoto
Leica Touch: Physical control ring and classic Leica color modes
Durability: IP68/IP69 with satellite communication support