Xiaomi has unveiled its flagship 17 Ultra Leica Edition smartphone, featuring advanced camera specs and a unique manual zoom ring. The device combines high-end hardware with Leica-inspired design elements, targeting photography enthusiasts. Prices start at around $1,140 for the special edition.
Xiaomi introduced the 17 Ultra Leica Edition on December 26, 2025, positioning it as a premium smartphone with exceptional camera capabilities. The phone boasts a 1-inch 50MP f/1.67 main sensor and a 1/1.4-inch 200MP periscope telephoto camera, alongside a 50MP ultrawide lens and a 50MP selfie camera. A standout feature is the manual zoom ring, which activates the camera upon rotation and allows precise control without screen interaction.
Both the Leica edition and the standard 17 Ultra are powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor, offering up to 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM and 1TB of UFS 4.1 storage. The 6.9-inch 120Hz AMOLED display reaches a peak brightness of 3,500 nits. Battery performance is supported by a 6,800mAh silicon-carbon cell, with 90W wired and 50W wireless charging options.
The Leica version includes distinctive touches such as a two-tone finish, a red dot emblem on the front, textured edges, and film simulations like the Monopan 50 black-and-white mode. Regarding the zoom ring, Xiaomi states that "its rotation [eliminates] the need for tedious screen taps... and can detect displacements as small as 0.03mm." This ring is also customizable for tasks like exposure compensation or manual focus. Additional exclusives encompass a "Leica Moments" 3:2 aspect ratio, a dedicated encryption chip, and dual-satellite connectivity. It ships in a premium box with accessories including a lens cap, lanyard, magnetic case, and cleaning cloth.
Pricing reflects its high-end status: the Leica edition starts at CNY 7,999 ($1,140), while the regular model is CNY 6,999 ($995), both with 512GB storage and 16GB RAM. These figures align with competitors like recent Pixel and Galaxy flagships, emphasizing Xiaomi's push into the luxury smartphone segment.
