Xiaomi 17 Ultra Leica Edition: Rotating Camera Zoom Revealed
▼ Summary
– Xiaomi launched its flagship 17 Ultra phone, which replaces the 17 Pro’s rear display with an optional manual zoom ring built into the camera island on the Leica edition.
– The Leica edition features unique design touches, reprogrammable controls, custom software effects, and physical accessories, but is otherwise identical to the regular model in core specs like the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset.
– The phone’s camera system is a major focus, featuring a 50MP main sensor and a single 200MP periscope telephoto lens offering continuous optical zoom from 3.2x to 4.3x.
– Pricing starts at approximately $1,000 for the regular 17 Ultra and $1,140 for the Leica edition.
– A global launch is planned for 2026, with its timing and the inclusion of the Leica model still unconfirmed.
Xiaomi has unveiled its latest flagship smartphone, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra, introducing a novel rotating camera zoom ring exclusive to a special Leica Edition model. This feature marks a significant departure from the secondary rear display found on the 17 Pro, offering photographers a tactile, manual control method directly integrated into the phone’s camera module. The Leica Edition distinguishes itself with unique branding, a textured side finish, and specialized software enhancements.
The rotating zoom ring is the standout addition, providing a hands-on method for adjusting the camera’s zoom level. Users can also reprogram this physical ring to control exposure or focus settings, adding a layer of customization for creative shooting. The Leica partnership extends beyond hardware, incorporating exclusive film simulation effects within the camera software. The package is rounded out with premium physical accessories, including a lens cap and a branded cleaning cloth, enhancing the overall photography-centric experience.
Beyond these distinctive touches, the Leica Edition shares its core specifications with the standard Xiaomi 17 Ultra. The device is driven by the powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor and can be configured with up to 16GB of RAM and 1TB of storage. It features a large 6.9-inch OLED display and is powered by a substantial 6,800mAh silicon-carbon battery, ensuring strong performance and longevity.
As expected from Xiaomi’s Ultra series, the camera system is the centerpiece. It boasts a 50-megapixel main camera utilizing a one-inch-type sensor with a wide f/1.7 aperture, complemented by matching 50MP sensors for the ultrawide and selfie cameras. The most notable photographic upgrade is the telephoto system. The phone consolidates two lenses into a single, highly capable 200-megapixel periscope camera. This lens offers a continuous optical zoom range from 3.2x to 4.3x, a feature pioneered in smartphones by Sony. It also incorporates a variable aperture that adjusts between f/2.4 and f/3.0, allowing for greater control over depth of field and light intake.
Pricing for the new flagship starts at ¥6,999 (approximately $1,000) for the standard 17 Ultra. The feature-rich Leica Edition commands a premium at ¥7,999 (around $1,140). While Xiaomi has announced plans for a global release of the 17 Ultra in 2026, specific timing remains unclear. It is also uncertain whether the special Leica model will be part of the international rollout. Given that the Xiaomi 15 and 15 Ultra saw their worldwide debut at MWC 2025, a similar launch event for the 17 series in the coming months appears to be a strong possibility.
(Source: The Verge)
