The Xiaomi 17 Ultra is making waves with its innovatively designed physical zoom ring feature that is mounted directly on its camera design. Coupled with its Leica lens and its 200MP telephoto lens, it is no surprise that it is attempting to bridge the gap between smartphones and professional cameras.
It is finally here! For months now, speculations have been circulating online about an upcoming Xiaomi device codenamed the Xiaomi 17 Ultra Launching Today, but now it is finally here to give us a glimpse of what’s to come for smartphone photography. As some of you might have been following closely with what’s been happening in the world of tech lately, you might know that Xiaomi’s been trying to break barriers with their “Ultra” series of smartphones.
Nowadays, they have taken this concept to another level altogether with a new addition that most of us have learned to see with DSLR lenses: a manual control!
A Real Camera Feel: The Zoom Ring
The feature that has received the most attention is the presence of a physical zoom ring on this camera island of the Xiaomi 17 Ultra. This is not just a cosmetic feature. It also allows you to use the zoom system manually by twisting it, which gives you a response that a screen cannot quite deliver. It’s as if you were to hold a Leica in your hands instead of some slab of glass. This feature is only found on the Leica edition of the Xiaomi 17 Ultra and is used to control the new 200MP periscope camera system.
Design and the New “Starry Sky” Look
One of the things that Xiaomi has been able to do with this phone is keep it remarkably slim. With a thickness of 8.29mm, this phone has been touted as the thinnest Ultra phone that the corporation has ever built. The design of the back of this phone is interesting in a couple of ways. While the traditional Black and White offerings remain, it is the Starry Sky Green that has everyone up in Arms. It comes with minute mineral particles that reflect light to give the phone the effect of a night sky. Contrary to the former models, this phone has a flat screen on the front side.
What is Under the Hood?
In terms of performance, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra sports the latest generation of the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset. This is engineered to take intense image processing and gaming in its stride. But Xiaomi knows that nothing runs itself, so a massive 6,800mAh battery powers the device. Even if you spend the entire day clicking away with that Leica- optimized camera rig, the 100W fast charging coupled with 80W wireless charging would not have you waiting for long.
The Leica Camera System
Xiaomi 17 Ultra Leica Edition sports a triple camera rear setup. The primary camera is a 1-inch sensor from OmniVision and is amazing for night shots. However, it is the 200MP telephoto camera that is the highlight of this camera system. With the innovative “Master Zoom Ring,” you can C-SMOOTH and SMOOTH switch between 3x and 4.3x optical zoom. With continuous zoom capabilities, you no longer have to sacrifice quality when trying to frame a shot that is simply perfect as you view it. Leica has even taken efforts to optimize color science to deliver a natural tone that has a Leica quality to the shadows.
The Anticipated Cost and Availability in India
Although the launching process is going on in China as of now, people worldwide are already bothered about the pricing. Coming towards the pricing in the Chinese market, it starts at around CNY 6,499 for the basic variant. If we consider the pattern that the previous models followed, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra smartphone pricing in the Indian market might land between Rs. 1,09,999 and Rs. 1,15,000. It’s a high pricing point, but if you’re looking for the best camera on your smartphone, there’s none like the one that comes at this pricing point.
Reviews: First Impressions
Feedback received so far has been positive, with people who have managed to lay eyes on the device claiming that the physical ring is indeed not just a gimmick but something that does change the way one takes a picture with the device. The flat screen would also be a relief to people who are tired of curved screens.
There have been observations made regarding the camera bump being quite massive, and it is true; however, this is the only way in which one can have a 1-inch camera and a 200MP Zoom lens in a device like this one.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What is the function of the physical zoom ring in a Xiaomi 17 Ultra camera?The physical zoom ring around the camera island allows users to manually and tactilely control the continuous optical zoom, similar to a professional camera lens.
2. Is the Xiaomi 17 Ultra Launching Today coming to India?
While the initial launch is in China, it is expected to reach global markets and India by early 2026, possibly around March.
3. What are the color options for the Xiaomi 17 Ultra?
It is available in Black, White, a unique Starry Sky Green with mineral textures, and a soft Purple gradient.
4. How big is the battery in the new Xiaomi 17 Ultra?
The phone features a 6,800mAh battery that supports 100W wired and 80W wireless fast charging.
Disclaimer: Specifications and pricing are based on launch event details and regional availability. Final retail features may vary by country.
