Xiaomi 17 Ultra
Xiaomi 17 Ultra Leica Edition / Photography Kit - Unboxing and First Impression
Pros
- Advanced triple camera system with high-resolution sensors and unique features.
- High-quality flat panel AMOLED display with excellent brightness and refresh rate.
- Flagship-level performance with the latest Snapdragon processor and ample RAM/storage.
- Large 6,800 mAh battery with comprehensive fast and reverse charging.
- Premium design and build quality, especially the preferred flat panel display.
Cons
- No microSD card slot for expandable memory.
- The larger battery contributes to increased phone thickness and weight.
- High starting price, especially for the Leica Edition and optional camera kit.
The Xiaomi 17 Ultra is presented as a premium "big boy" phone, with its design, build quality, and especially its camera system standing out as major highlights. The reviewer particularly praises the shift to a flat panel display, finding it superior for usability. The phone feels premium with a nice weight and enhanced grip from its textured frame.
It features flagship-level performance from the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, a vibrant 6.9-inch LTPO Quad HD AMOLED display with 3500 nits brightness, and a substantial 6,800 mAh battery with rapid charging.
While the phone has a higher price point, the impressive camera setup, robust performance, and thoughtful design elements like the rotatable camera ring and optional kit contribute to a highly positive overall impression, especially in the camera department.
“The 17 Ultra, the big boy. We've been waiting for this one.”
“the design quality, I love it. Okay, the build quality, I love the flat panels. I'm so glad companies are starting to steer away from the curved displays.”
“Now, the best thing about this phone is the camera.”
Xiaomi Removed a Camera… and It Made This Better
Pros
- Excellent camera with continuous optical zoom and natural colors
- Best-in-class camera dynamic range and low-light performance
- Large 6,800 mAh battery with fast wired and wireless charging
- Powerful Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor for top performance
- Improved display with high brightness and flicker control options
- Better value due to increased base storage (512GB) at a comparable price
Cons
- Video recording exhibits some EIS jitter
- The phone remains large and expensive
- Leica edition's premium is not justified for most users
“This isn't Xiaomi playing safe. It's them making deliberate choices, especially with the cameras, prioritizing realworld results over just plain specing.”
“The continuous zoom, it's cool. The new primary sensor is genuinely excellent, and the overall camera experience feels a lot more refined this time.”
“Is it perfect? No. It's still big, still expensive, and some video quirks remain. But if cameras are high on your priority list in 2025 or 26, this is not the phone everyone else has to respond to.”