Xiaomi has officially unveiled the Xiaomi 17 Ultra, its most ambitious flagship smartphone yet, setting a new benchmark for mobile photography, performance and premium design as the brand closes out 2025. Launched first in China, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra reinforces Xiaomi’s Ultra positioning with a strong focus on professional-grade imaging developed in collaboration with Leica, alongside cutting-edge hardware across the board.

At the heart of the Xiaomi 17 Ultra is its advanced Leica-tuned camera system, led by a 1-inch main sensor designed to capture significantly more light for superior low-light photography and enhanced dynamic range. Complementing the primary camera is a powerful 200MP periscope telephoto lens that enables long-range zoom with improved clarity, along with a 50MP ultra-wide camera for expansive landscapes and group shots. On the front, a high-resolution 50MP selfie camera caters to creators and video calls alike. Certain editions of the Xiaomi 17 Ultra are also reported to feature a mechanical zoom ring, bringing DSLR-like tactile control to mobile photography and underlining Xiaomi’s push toward a more camera-centric flagship experience.

Powering the Xiaomi 17 Ultra is Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset, paired with up to 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM and storage options reaching up to 1TB using UFS 4.1 technology. This combination delivers flagship-class performance aimed at heavy multitasking, gaming and content creation, while ensuring long-term performance headroom. The phone runs Xiaomi’s latest software experience built on Android, bringing further refinements to performance optimisation, camera processing and everyday usability.

The display is another standout feature, with the Xiaomi 17 Ultra sporting a large 6.9-inch LTPO AMOLED panel with a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate. The screen offers high peak brightness for outdoor visibility and smooth visuals for scrolling and gaming, while being protected by Xiaomi’s Dragon Crystal Glass for added durability. The flat display design and ultra-slim bezels contribute to a clean, modern aesthetic that feels distinctly premium in hand.

Battery life is addressed with a substantial 6,800mAh battery, positioning the Xiaomi 17 Ultra among the largest-capacity flagships in its class. Fast charging support includes up to 90W wired charging and 50W wireless charging, allowing users to quickly top up and stay connected throughout long days. Xiaomi has also equipped the device with IP66, IP68 and IP69 ratings, offering robust protection against dust, water immersion and high-pressure water jets, making the phone well-suited for real-world use in demanding environments.

Design-wise, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra refines the Ultra series look with a cleaner rear profile and a prominent Leica-branded camera module that visually reinforces its photography focus. The overall build emphasises premium materials and durability, aligning with Xiaomi’s ambition to compete directly with the most established flagship smartphones on the market.

In China, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra went on sale shortly after its official launch, with multiple configurations available. While Xiaomi has yet to confirm local pricing and availability for Malaysia, the company has already indicated that a global rollout is planned for 2026, with Southeast Asia expected to be among the key markets.