Barcelona is once again the showcase chosen by Xiaomi to flex its muscles in the high-end market. Coinciding with the Mobile World CongressThe company has taken advantage of the media attention surrounding the fair to present its new product in Europe. Xiaomi 17 series, a family that directly targets users who want a mobile phone of a certain style premium with photography as the central focus.
The series consists of Xiaomi 17, Xiaomi 17Ultra and the exclusive Leica Leitzphone powered by XiaomiThey all share a common base of power, screen and batteryBut each one is aimed at a different profile: from those looking for a more compact flagship to those who want a photographic experience close to that of a classic Leica camera.
A Xiaomi 17 Series designed to dominate mobile photography
The brand had been building anticipation for weeks with the slogan of “a new photographic era”And the deployment in Barcelona confirms that the strategy was not just a slogan. Xiaomi 17 series It consolidates the alliance with Leica, which ceases to be just an R&D collaboration and becomes a strategic co-creation model which includes optics, image processing and product design.
This new stage is reflected above all in the Xiaomi 17 Ultra and the Leica Leitzphonewhich function as a technological showcase. The ambition is clear: that the user can leave the dedicated camera at home and rely on their mobile phone for serious creative work, both in photography and videowithout sacrificing advanced controls or a more professional workflow.
Xiaomi 17 Ultra: the benchmark model for photography and video
Within the range, the Xiaomi 17Ultra It's the device that best summarizes where the company wants to go. It's presented as the Xiaomi's thinnest and lightest ultra-thinner product to dateIt is 8,29 mm thick and weighs around 218 grams, but at the same time it integrates one of the most advanced camera configurations ever seen in a consumer mobile phone.
The protagonist is the 1-inch Light Fusion 1050L main sensor Featuring LOFIC technology, developed in conjunction with Leica, this sensor aims to improve the dynamic range and HDR managementThis allows dark areas to gain detail without blowing out highlights. On paper, this approach is designed for complex scenes, such as urban night scenes or interiors with strong contrasts.
Next to this main camera appears a 200-megapixel Leica telephoto lens to mechanical optical zoom between 75 and 100 mmUnlike typical hybrid zoom lenses, here the lens maintains native quality throughout that entire stretchIt can be extended to an equivalent distance of 400 mm (approx. 17,2x) thanks to trimming and processing. The assembly is completed with a 50 MP ultra wide angle and a 50 MP front camera, all under the umbrella of optics Leica UltraPure with multi-layer coatings to reduce reflections.
In video, the Ultra positions itself as a tool for creators. It supports 4K recording up to 120 fps with Dolby Vision, capture in Log 4K 120 fps with ACES standard and support for 8K is 30 fpsThe goal is to offer real scope for editing and color grading, moving away from the purely "automatic" video that usually dominates on mobile devices.
For those who want to go a step further, Xiaomi accompanies the phone with two official accessories: the Xiaomi 17 Ultra Photography Kit and the Photography Kit ProThe first adds a grip, two-stage trigger, dedicated video button, and IP54 protection when mounted; the second adds a PU leather grip and an extra 2.000 mAh batteryIn addition to the Fastshot rapid shooting mode, designed to capture on the fly without having to struggle with the touch interface.
Design, screen and durability: the most refined Ultra yet.
In terms of aesthetics, the Xiaomi 17Ultra bet on a flat body with micro-curved aluminum frame and a high-strength fiberglass back. The round camera module has been made more compact than in previous generations, making the device less bulky to hold, which is important in a 6,9-inch device.
The structure provides the protection Xiaomi Guardian, which integrates Xiaomi Shield Glass 3.0 On the front, a glass panel that the brand claims is 30% more resistant to drops compared to the Xiaomi 15 Ultra, in addition to IP68 certification against water and dustThe model arrives in Europe in Black, White and Starlit Green colors, depending on the market.
The screen is another strong point. We're talking about a panel 6,9-inch HyperRGB OLED with a resolution of 2.608 x 1.200 pixels, refresh rate LTPO from 1 to 120 Hz and a maximum advertised brightness of 3.500 nitsIn addition to compatibility with Dolby Vision and HDR10 +It has various TÜV Rheinland certifications to reduce eye strain, thanks to DC dimming and more careful control of blue light.
HyperRGB technology rearranges subpixels to improve sharpness and energy efficiencyThis is relevant if you consume a lot of HDR content or play games frequently. The multimedia section is rounded out with stereo speakers, four-microphone array and compatibility with Hi-Res Audio and Dolby Atmos.
Performance, AI and battery life in the Xiaomi 17 Series
Both the Xiaomi 17 Ultra like the Xiaomi 17 They share the same hardware base: the processor Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 Manufactured using a 3nm process, and accompanied by memory LPDDR5X and storage UFS 4.1The idea is that there shouldn't be significant differences in power between models, and that the choice should be based more on design, size, and photography than on raw performance.
The chip is backed by a Next-generation Hexagon NPU and a third-generation Qualcomm Oryon CPU, designed to handle intensive tasks without problems AI, computational photography, demanding games, and heavy multitaskingIt works on this basis HyperOS 3Xiaomi's own layer, which integrates features such as Circle to Search, intelligent photo and video editing tools, real-time translations, and AI-based assistants.
In terms of drums, the series debuts a new generation of Xiaomi Surge batteries with 16% content of silicon to increase energy density without increasing thickness. Xiaomi 17Ultra assemble a unit of 6.000 mAh to 90W wired and 50W wireless fast charging, Whereas the Xiaomi 17 goes up to 6.330 mAh to 100W wired and 50W wireless, in addition to 22,5W reverse charging. Both are compatible with standards such as 100W PD-PPS.
In terms of connectivity, both models offer WiFi 7, ultrasonic under-display fingerprint reader and the usual high-end connectivity package. The Ultra also incorporates advanced cooling systems, such as the 3D Dual-Channel IceLoop solution, designed to sustain long 4K recording sessions or gaming without performance drops significantly.
Xiaomi 17: compact high-end without sacrificing the Leica camera
Faced with the Ultra's deployment, the Xiaomi 17 “plain and simple” It stands out as the most balanced model in the series, designed for those who want a high-end phone in a more compact formatIt has a screen 6,3-inch CrystalRes OLED with a resolution of 2.656 x 1.220 pixels, 460 ppi, LTPO 1-120 Hz rate and also a maximum brightness of 3.500 nits.
In hand, the device remains in 8,06 mm thick and 191 gramswith very narrow bevels of 1,18 mm. It maintains the structure Xiaomi Guardian with 6M42 aluminum frame, Xiaomi Shield Glass and IP68 certification, so it doesn't compromise on strength compared to its bigger brother despite being lighter.
In photography, this model focuses on the sensor. Light Fusion 950 1/1,31 inch, with 2,4μm 4-in-1 Super Pixel and a dynamic range of up to 13,5 EV. It is accompanied by a Leica Summilux optics covering a range of 17 to 60 mm and a 60mm Leica floating telephoto lens with 5x optical zoom, macro focus at 10cm and AI zoom up to 20x. The front camera reaches 50 MP with improved autofocus and support for 4K 60fps video with Dolby Vision and Log.
Battery 6.330 mAh and 100W fast charge They aim to ensure that the more compact size doesn't compromise battery life. It's a clear response to those who want a phone with great features. top without having to carry an excessively large device, something that is becoming a recurring request in the high-end range.
Leica Leitzphone powered by Xiaomi: cult edition with physical dial
The third member of the family is the Leica Leitzphone powered by Xiaomi, a special model conceived as a tribute to Leica centenaryBeyond the hardware shared with the Ultra, the focus here shifts to design and user experience, seeking to approach the feel of a traditional camera.
The device adopts a aluminum alloy body to nickel anodized finish and an aesthetic clearly inspired by the German firm's classic cameras. The most distinctive element is the Leica Camera Ringa physical dial surrounding the camera module that allows Adjust zoom, exposure, or focus by rotatingemulating the gesture of handling an interchangeable lens.
In software, it includes exclusive features such as Leica Essential modewhich seeks to recreate the visual signature of legendary models like the Leica M3 or Leica M9. The camera interface has been adjusted by Leica to make the process of shooting, reviewing, and adjusting parameters more intuitive for those coming from the world of traditional photography.
At a technical level, it remains the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor, IP68 certified water and dust resistance and a 6.000 mAh battery with fast charging up to 90WIt is a product clearly aimed at a niche audience, both in its approach and price, designed more as a collector's item and creative tool than as a mass-market mobile phone.
Prices and availability of the Xiaomi 17 Series in Spain and Europe
Following its presentation at the Palau de Congressos de Catalunya and within the framework of Fira Gran Via, Xiaomi has confirmed the The 17 Series is now available in Spain and much of Europe.The launch is happening without major introductory discount campaigns, with fixed prices from day one.
El Xiaomi 17 It is available in Black, Venture Green, Alpine Pink and Ice Blue, with two memory configurations: 12 GB of RAM and 256 GB of storage for 999,99 eurosand a second option with 12 GB + 512 GB for 1.099,99 eurosIn both cases the camera and battery hardware remains the same, so the choice focuses on the available space.
El Xiaomi 17Ultra It comes in Black, White and Starlit Green, with 16 GB of RAM as a base and two storage variants: 512 GB for 1.499,99 euros y 1 TB for 1.699,99 eurosThe intention is that those who work with high-resolution video or shoot in less compressed formats can do without the cloud for longer.
Above is the Leica Leitzphone powered by Xiaomi, available in a version of 16GB + 1TB that is offered by 1.999,99 EurosIts distribution will be limited to official Xiaomi and Leica channels, which reinforces its position as a special product within the catalog.
In the accessories section, the photography kits for the Xiaomi 17 Ultra will be sold separately: the photography kit has noticed 99,99 Euros, Whereas the Photography Kit Pro reaches the 199,99 EurosThey are designed for those who will really push the camera to its limits on trips, long sessions, or more intensive work.
With this Xiaomi 17 Series, the brand is taking advantage of the spotlight at MWC Barcelona to reinforce its image in the European high-endA short but well-differentiated catalog, with an Ultra that serves as a technological showcase, a compact standard model without significant compromises, and a Leica edition for those who value both the photographic experience and the object itself, all supported by powerful hardware and an autonomy that, on paper, should be up to the task of intensive daily use.
