Xiaomi has officially confirmed the launch of the Xiaomi 17 Ultra Leica Edition in China, scheduled for December 25 at 7pm local time. The premium smartphone will arrive alongside the standard Xiaomi 17 Ultra, expanding the company’s flagship 17 series that already includes the Xiaomi 17, 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max. Following its launch, the device will be available for purchase through the Xiaomi China online store in multiple colour options.
According to Xiaomi, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra Leica Edition will feature a circular rear camera module, continuing the brand’s collaboration with Leica. While the company has not yet clarified whether the Leica Edition will differ in hardware or design from the regular Ultra variant, the special edition packaging highlights co-branding from both Xiaomi and Leica, suggesting a strong focus on photography.
Adding to the excitement, a recent leak claims the Xiaomi 17 Ultra may introduce a rotary dial integrated around the circular camera module. This dial is rumored to allow users to smoothly zoom in and out while recording videos or capturing photos, offering a DSLR-like experience on a smartphone. Xiaomi has not officially confirmed this feature, so it remains speculative for now.
On the camera front, Xiaomi CEO Lei Jun has already revealed that the Xiaomi 17 Ultra will feature a Leica-powered one-inch Light and Shadow Master primary sensor using the Light and Shadow Hunter 1050L sensor. This setup includes LOFIC ultra-high dynamic range technology, which is designed to significantly improve light handling and contrast. The phone is also confirmed to carry a Leica-tuned 200-megapixel telephoto lens with continuous optical zoom support.
In terms of performance, reports suggest the Xiaomi 17 Ultra will be powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor built on a 3nm architecture. It is expected to pack a large 6800mAh battery with support for 100W wired fast charging. The handset is teased to launch in black white and green colour options, though pricing details are yet to be announced.
With cutting-edge camera technology powerful hardware and a unique design approach, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra Leica Edition is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated flagship smartphone launches of the year.