Xiaomi has addressed user feedback regarding a loose master zoom ring on its 17 Ultra Leica Edition smartphone, stating the movement is normal and does not impact functionality.
The company also clarified that sounds from shaking the device are typical due to advanced optical image stabilization and zoom mechanisms.
Xiaomi’s official Weibo account published a statement on December 30, responding to inquiries about the master zoom ring. The company indicated that incorporating a mechanical zoom ring within the phone’s compact design presented challenges related to drop protection, ergonomics, and stability.
The 17 Ultra Leica Edition’s Master Zoom Ring employs a sandwich structure comprising 26 individual parts. Its radial and axial designs incorporate allowable movement to prevent deformation from drops and resist jamming from dust or liquids. Xiaomi said a slight shift when shaking the ring or a minor sound when tapping it is expected behavior. This movement does not affect the ring’s function or the phone’s IP66, IP68, and IP69 dust and water resistance ratings.
The manufacturer conducted multiple rounds of extreme scenario tests during trial and mass production, including assessments for dust and liquid ingress, phone drops, high temperature and humidity, and continuous rotation durability.
Regarding a “clapperboard-like” sound when shaking the device, Xiaomi explained the 17 Ultra series features OIS optical image stabilization on both its main and telephoto lenses, alongside a new optical zoom structure for the telephoto lens. The camera module reserves space for the working displacement of OIS, zoom, and autofocus motors for both lenses. Vigorous shaking can cause the lens assembly to shift and impact within this space, producing a sound. When the phone detects violent shaking, the camera module powers on to limit motor movement, significantly reducing the noise.
This shaking noise is common in phones with OIS lenses. The 17 Ultra’s Leica 200MP optical zoom structure is more complex; the motor displacement space increased from 1.5mm in the previous generation’s periscope telephoto lens to 7mm, resulting in a slightly louder sound. Xiaomi confirmed this is not a product malfunction and does not affect the product’s lifespan.
The Xiaomi 17 Ultra Leica Edition features a dual-tone design, a Leica “red label” on the rear, and a Master Zoom Ring that replicates camera zoom operation. This ring supports customizable adjustments for exposure compensation and white balance. The device also includes a “Leica Moment” mode to replicate the texture of CCD cameras.
