Xiaomi Introduces the 17 Ultra Leica Edition with an Innovative Zoom Feature

Premier Specs like a 1-inch Sensor, 200MP Telephoto Camera, and Extremely Bright Display

Xiaomi has unveiled its latest top-tier smartphone, the 17 Ultra partnered with Leica, which might make you reconsider your current phone's camera capabilities. This device is packed with features, including a significant 1-inch sensor paired with a 50MP f/1.67 main camera and an advanced 200MP periscope telephoto lens. A standout addition is a unique manual zoom ring that engages the camera automatically upon rotation.

Both the standard and Leica editions of the Xiaomi 17 Ultra are powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor. They boast up to 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM and a capacious 1TB of UFS 4.1 storage. The smartphones also feature a 6.9-inch AMOLED display with a refresh rate of 120Hz and capable of achieving a peak brightness of 3,500 nits. Complementing the main and telephoto cameras, there's a 50MP ultrawide lens and a 50MP front camera. Energy efficiency is enhanced by a 6,800mAh silicon-carbon battery, supporting up to 90 watts of wired and 50 watts of wireless charging.

Leica's Influence on Design and Functionality

The Leica edition of the 17 Ultra carries distinctive design elements synonymous with Leica's reputation. This includes a dual-tone finish, a front red dot icon for status, textured body edges, and simulated film aesthetics such as Leica's Monopan 50 black and white. The zoom ring not only substitutes for numerous on-screen taps but also boasts sensitivity to movements as slight as 0.03mm, and users can adjust it for multiple functions including exposure control and manual focusing.

Exclusive to this model are features like the 'Leica Moments' 3:2 image aspect ratio, a specialized encryption chip, and connectivity across dual satellites. In line with its special edition standing, the device is packaged in a unique box containing a lens cap, lanyard, magnetic protective case, and a branded cleaning cloth.

Market Position and Cost Considerations

A consideration for potential buyers is the price point. Although devices available within the Chinese market often have lower prices compared to those in North America, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra by Leica and its standard counterpart are priced at CNY 7,999 (approximately $1,140) and CNY 6,999 (around $995) respectively for models with 512GB of storage and 16GB of RAM. These prices position the devices alongside the latest flagship models from other competitors such as Pixel and Galaxy.