At its final major launch event of the year, Xiaomi officially introduced its latest ultra-premium flagship, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra, alongside a dedicated Leica Edition, new wearables, and a suite of high-end smart home appliances. Held under the banner of the “Xiaomi × Leica Imaging Strategic Cooperation Upgrade,” the conference showcased significant leaps in mobile photography, including hardware-level high dynamic range technology and a physical zoom ring, while also revealing unprecedented connectivity with the Apple ecosystem.
Xiaomi 17 Ultra: The thinnest ultra with “Pinnacle Imaging”
Positioned as the flagship of “pinnacle imaging technology,” the Xiaomi 17 Ultra marks a significant design shift for the series. It is the first in the Ultra line to feature a 2D straight screen with a completely flat vertical frame. Despite the heavy tech capabilities, it is Xiaomi’s thinnest Ultra device to date at just 8.29mm.
Revolutionary camera system
The device’s imaging system, dubbed the “Next Generation Xiaomi NoxPlayer,” features two major sensor breakthroughs:
-
Main camera: Powered by the “Light and Shadow Hunter 1050L,” a 1-inch sensor with a massive f/1.67 aperture. It utilizes LOFIC (Lateral Overflow Integration Capacitor) technology, a third-generation high-dynamic-range tech that increases the electronic capacity of a single pixel by 6.3 times. This allows for the “Fireworks Mode,” which intelligently adjusts exposure frame-by-frame.
-
Telephoto: A new generation HPE sensor (1/1.4 inch, 200MP) that supports continuous optical zoom. Utilizing a 3G+5P architecture, it delivers full-sensor optical output from 75mm to 100mm and extends to 200mm and 400mm super telephoto ranges. This is also the first Leica APO optical lens for mobile.
Core specifications
-
Performance: Powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Ultra (Gen 5), cooled by a dual-channel 3D ring cold pump.
-
Display: A 6.9-inch low-power sunlight screen using M10 luminescent material, protected by Dragon Crystal Glass 3.0.
-
Battery: A massive 6800mAh “Jinshajiang” battery supporting 90W wired and 50W wireless charging.
-
Connectivity: Features the Xiaomi Star Communication System with UWB support. Notably, it introduces interconnectivity with the Apple ecosystem, allowing full screen mirroring control of Xiaomi phones on iPhones and support for Apple’s desktop environment.
-
Durability: Rated for IP66, IP68, and IP69 water and dust resistance.
Pricing:
-
12GB + 512GB: 6,999 Yuan (~$979)
-
16GB + 512GB: 7,499 Yuan (~$1,049)
-
16GB + 1TB: 8,499 Yuan (~$1,189)
Xiaomi 17 Ultra Leica Edition: “Leica in every aspect”
For photography purists, Xiaomi launched the 17 Ultra Leica Edition, which carries a 500 Yuan (~$70) premium over the standard model. It features a distinct black and off-white two-tone design inspired by the Leica M series, complete with a pebbled texture, knurled mid-frame, and the iconic Leica Red Label.
Exclusive features:
-
Master zoom ring: A physical knob integrated into the camera module allows users to mechanically adjust focus, exposure compensation, and white balance.
-
Exclusive image quality: Includes “Leica Moment” modes that replicate the texture of the Leica M9 (CCD) and Leica M3 (Black and White Film), along with a classic 3:2 full-frame aspect ratio.
-
Satellite & security: Equipped with Beidou + Tiantong dual-satellite communication and a dedicated privacy encryption chip.
Pricing:
-
16GB + 512GB: 7,999 Yuan (~$1,119)
-
16GB + 1TB: 8,999 Yuan (~$1,259)
New Wearables: Xiaomi Watch 5 and Buds 6
Positioned as a “fully intelligent flagship,” the Watch 5 features a 1.54-inch AMOLED screen (1500 nits brightness) encased in stainless steel and sapphire crystal. The new semi-in-ear flagship, Xiaomi Buds 6, focus on comfort, weighing just 4.2g each with a biomimetic curve design.
Xiaomi Watch 5
-
Hardware: Runs on a dual-core architecture (Snapdragon W5 + BES2800) with an independent app store.
-
Battery: The 930mAh battery offers up to 6 days of battery life in performance mode and 18 days in power-saving mode.
-
Health: Includes an EMG electromyography sensor for micro-gesture control, ECG analysis, and gym training modes.
-
Price: Starting from 1,999 Yuan (~$280).
Xiaomi Buds 6
-
Audio: Co-tuned with Harman, featuring a custom three-magnet unit and spatial audio.
-
AI features: Supports simultaneous interpretation, AI summarization, and 3-mic AI call noise reduction.
-
Price: 699 Yuan (~$98).
Smart home expansions
Xiaomi also updated its high-end home appliance line with the Mi Home Central Air Conditioner Pro “Dual Fan Wheel” series, designed for large spaces.
Pricing & products:
-
Mi Home Central Air Conditioner Pro: Prices range from 25,999 Yuan (~$3,636) for the 5hp model up to 51,999 Yuan (~$7,272) for the top-tier 8hp configuration.
-
Xiaomi Smart Home Screen 11: 1,299 Yuan (~$182).
-
Mijia Diffuse Reflection Ceiling Light: 1,899 Yuan (~$266).
The launch concludes Xiaomi’s product roadmap for 2025, setting the stage for the competitive landscape of 2026.
