Xiaomi 17: Compact Phone, Surprisingly Big Battery
▼ Summary
– Xiaomi has globally launched the Xiaomi 17 and 17 Ultra flagship phones, including a special Leica-branded Leitzphone edition, but not the 17 Pro model.
– The phones will be available in the UK, Europe, and other markets, with the 17 starting at £899 and the Ultra from £1,299, while the limited Leitzphone costs significantly more.
– The standard Xiaomi 17 is a compact flagship with a 6.3-inch display, strong battery life from its 6,330mAh cell, and a capable quad-camera system, all with 50-megapixel sensors.
– The larger 17 Ultra features a 6.9-inch display and an advanced camera system highlighted by a periscope telephoto lens with 200 megapixels and continuous optical zoom.
– The Leitzphone edition emphasizes the Leica partnership with special branding, software features, a rotatable camera ring, and included accessories like a case with a lens cap.
Xiaomi has officially unveiled its latest flagship smartphones, the Xiaomi 17 and 17 Ultra, for global markets, alongside a special Leica-branded Leitzphone edition. Notably absent from this international launch is the 17 Pro model, which debuted earlier in China featuring a unique secondary display beside its rear camera array. These new devices are positioned to compete directly with other premium offerings, promising a blend of high-end performance and distinctive design.
The standard Xiaomi 17 is designed as a compact yet powerful flagship. It features a 6.3-inch OLED screen, making it relatively small by today’s standards, and is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor. A standout feature is its substantial 6,330mAh silicon-carbon battery, which delivers exceptional endurance for a phone of its size. In practical use, the battery consistently lasts a full day and beyond with typical usage, significantly outperforming many similarly sized competitors from brands like Apple and Samsung. The camera system is equally impressive, boasting 50-megapixel sensors across all its rear lenses and the front-facing selfie camera, offering remarkable image quality for a device with such a form factor.
Stepping up, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra adopts a more substantial approach. It houses a larger 6.9-inch display and tips the scales at 218 grams. Interestingly, it packs a slightly smaller 6,000mAh battery, though real-world testing indicates it provides battery life comparable to the standard model. The true centerpiece of the Ultra is its advanced photographic hardware. It utilizes 50-megapixel sensors for the main, ultrawide, and selfie cameras, with the primary lens benefiting from a large one-inch type sensor. The telephoto camera is particularly groundbreaking, featuring a 200-megapixel sensor with a 1/1.4-inch size and continuous optical zoom ranging from 3.2x to 4.3x (equivalent to 75-100mm). This system produces natural background blur and performs admirably even in challenging low-light conditions, building upon but substantially advancing beyond earlier innovations like Sony’s zoom technology.
The collaboration with Leica is further emphasized with the launch of the Leitzphone. This limited-edition version of the 17 Ultra is adorned with Leica branding throughout its hardware and software, includes exclusive photographic filters and styles, and introduces a functional rotatable ring around the rear camera for zoom control. It represents the first Leitzphone model produced by Xiaomi and comes bundled with premium accessories like a dedicated case with a lens cap.
Pricing for these new models positions them firmly in the flagship tier. The Xiaomi 17 will retail for approximately £899 or €999, while the 17 Ultra starts at £1,299 or €1,499. The exclusive Leitzphone edition commands a premium price of around £1,699 or €1,999, reflecting its increased storage, memory, and bundled items.
Beyond the smartphones, Xiaomi’s announcements at MWC included a variety of companion products. These encompass a remarkably slim magnetic power bank, the new Pad 8 and Pad 8 Pro tablets, and a versatile smart tag compatible with both Google’s and Apple’s device-tracking networks.
(Source: The Verge)
