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Manila Bulletin devider Technews devider Xiaomi unveils a series of flagship devices with Leica imagery

Xiaomi unveils a series of flagship devices with Leica imagery

Xiaomi's most ambitious flagship lineup yet pairs Leica co-developed cameras with Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 performance — here's the complete breakdown.

Published Mar 2, 2026 09:45 am
The curtains have risen at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, the Xiaomi 17 Series is Xiaomi's latest generation of flagship smartphones. The lineup consists of three devices: the Xiaomi 17, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra, and a brand-new category entry, the Leica Leitzphone powered by Xiaomi — the first smartphone co-developed directly under a new Strategic Co-creation partnership between Xiaomi and Leica.
All three phones run on the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor and feature camera systems tuned in collaboration with Leica.
The centerpiece of this year's showcase isn't just a new set of specs, but a fundamental shift in philosophy. Xiaomi and Leica have moved beyond a joint R&D partnership into a Strategic Co-creation Model, resulting in hardware that feels less like a gadget and more like a precision instrument.
Xiaomi 17 Ultra
The Xiaomi 17 Ultra is the undisputed heavyweight of the lineup. Despite being the thinnest and lightest "Ultra" to date—measuring a sleek 8.29mm and weighing 218.4g—it houses a camera system that would make most DSLRs nervous.
The 1" LOFIC Revolution: The main camera features the Light Fusion 1050L sensor. Using advanced capacitor technology, it offers next-gen HDR performance by significantly increasing "full-well capacity," meaning it handles extreme light and shadow without breaking a sweat.
Mechanical Optical Zoom: In a breakthrough for mobile optics, the 200MP telephoto camera features a 75–100mm mechanical zoom. It reaches a 400mm (17.2x) equivalent focal length while maintaining Leica's rigorous APO optical standards.
Pro Video: Both the main and telephoto lenses support 4K 120fps recording in Dolby Vision® or ACES Log.
The Leica Leitzphone: A century of heritage
To celebrate 100 years of Leica, Xiaomi unveiled the Leica Leitzphone. This isn't just a rebranded flagship; it’s a tribute.
Design: A nickel-anodized aluminum-alloy body.
Tactile Control: It features a physical Leica Camera Ring—a knurled dial that mimics the feel of a manual zoom lens.
The Soul of Film: The "Leica Essential" mode recreates the aesthetic of the legendary Leica M9 and M3, including a dedicated MONOPAN 50 film simulation.
Compact Power: The Xiaomi 17
For those who want flagship performance without the "Ultra" footprint, the standard Xiaomi 17 delivers.
Display: Ultra-slim 1.18mm bezels frame a near-borderless experience.
Optics: Powered by the Light Fusion 950 sensor, offering a massive 13.5EV dynamic range.
Battery: Surprisingly, the smaller model packs a larger 6330mAh Surge Battery with 100W HyperCharge.
Elite Performance
Every device in the 17 Series is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5. Whether you're crunching 4K video edits or high-intensity gaming, the 3rd Gen Qualcomm Oryon™ CPU ensures you never hit a ceiling.
Beyond smartphones, Xiaomi stole the show with the Vision Gran Turismo. This electric hypercar concept, designed for the Gran Turismo franchise, boasts a drag coefficient of 0.29. Inside, the "Sofa Racer" cabin integrates the driver into the Xiaomi "Human x Car x Home" ecosystem, using light and sound to adapt to the driver’s mood.
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