The smartphone industry has been playing it safe for too long. While Apple, Samsung, and Google keep rehashing the same flat designs and incremental upgrades, Xiaomi just dropped a bomb with the Xiaomi 17 Ultra. This isn’t just another flagship phone—it’s a professional camera that happens to make calls.
After spending quality time with this beast, I’ve compiled the top 10 reasons why the Xiaomi 17 Ultra deserves a spot in your pocket (if it fits). If you want the complete technical breakdown, check out our comprehensive Xiaomi 17 Ultra review.
1. Revolutionary Rotating Camera Ring: Physical Control in a Digital World
The Xiaomi 17 Ultra introduces something we haven’t seen on smartphones—a functional rotating camera ring. This isn’t just aesthetic flair; it’s a game-changer for mobile photography.
Here’s how it works: 20 tiny magnets and sensors inside the ring communicate with the camera software. Rotate right to zoom out, rotate left to zoom in. The genius part? The ring isn’t mechanically connected to the camera—it’s all done through magnetic sensors with buttery-smooth haptic feedback.
What makes it special:
- Quick left-right rotation instantly launches the camera app
- Adjust ISO, focus, and exposure by simply rotating the ring
- Works in all camera modes with customizable controls per mode
- Provides precise control like a DSLR camera dial
Yes, there’s a learning curve. Your hand might accidentally touch it (I bumped the exposure a few times during video recording), but you can disable it in settings. For photography enthusiasts, this physical control beats fumbling with on-screen sliders any day.
2. True Optical Zoom with Floating Lens Technology: No More Digital Crop
Most phones fake their zoom. They crop the image and stretch it, which is why zoomed photos look terrible. The Xiaomi 17 Ultra says “hold my beer” with genuine floating lens technology inside its 200MP periscope camera.
The telephoto lens physically moves—just like a DSLR zoom lens. When you zoom from 75mm to 100mm (3.2x to 4.3x), multiple glass elements inside actually shift position to pull the subject closer optically. You’re not cropping and stretching; you’re genuinely zooming.
The result?
- Smooth zoom transitions from 3.2x to 4.3x with zero quality loss
- Crystal-clear details at every zoom level
- The entire 200MP sensor is utilized throughout the zoom range
- Photos maintain sharpness and detail that rivals dedicated cameras
Watch the camera lens physically adjust as you zoom—it’s mesmerizing and shows this is serious photographic hardware.
3. One-Inch Camera Sensor: DSLR-Like Depth and Detail
The Xiaomi 17 Ultra packs a 1-inch camera sensor—the largest you’ll find on any smartphone. To put this in perspective, most flagship phones use 1/1.3-inch or smaller sensors. Xiaomi is the only manufacturer crazy enough to fit a full 1-inch sensor in a phone.
Why does sensor size matter?
Bigger sensors capture more light, which translates to:
- Natural background blur (bokeh) without artificial processing
- DSLR-level depth in photos
- Exceptional low-light performance
- Detailed facial features with proper skin texture
- Professional-looking portraits without portrait mode
In group photos, you’ll notice that natural background separation—not the fake software blur that looks like someone used a smudge tool. The sensor captures images with the depth and dimension you’d expect from a professional camera.
4. Leica Partnership: Photography Heritage Meets Smartphone Innovation
Xiaomi didn’t just slap a Leica logo on this phone—this is a genuine collaboration. The Xiaomi 17 Ultra Leica Edition comes with the iconic Leica aesthetic and photographic philosophy baked into every aspect.
Leica Edition exclusive features:
- Dual-tone leather and glass finish mimicking classic Leica cameras
- Iconic Leica red dot on the camera module
- Ridged metal frame for better grip (like camera lenses)
- Circular volume buttons inspired by camera controls
- Includes lens cap, lanyard, and special case with rotating ring
- Leica color science for that signature artistic look
The photos have that distinct Leica character—slightly warmer tones, controlled highlights, and an almost painterly quality. You either love Leica’s photographic style or you don’t; there’s no in-between. But for those who appreciate it, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra delivers authentic Leica DNA in smartphone form.
5. Insane Low-Light Performance with Lytia Technology
Night photography separates great camera phones from mediocre ones. The Xiaomi 17 Ultra absolutely crushes low-light scenarios thanks to Lytia technology.
Here’s the simplified explanation: Think of each pixel as a cup collecting light. Regular cameras have one cup per pixel—too much light causes spillover (blown highlights), too little creates noise. The Xiaomi 17 Ultra uses two cups per pixel: a small one for dark areas and a large one for bright lights.
The advantages are massive:
- Clean night photos with minimal noise
- Incredible light control and dynamic range
- Bright areas don’t blow out while dark areas stay detailed
- Even the ultra-wide camera performs exceptionally in low light
- Sharp facial details even in challenging lighting
I tested this during Delhi’s winter nights (around 9-10°C), and the amount of light the camera captured was borderline magical. Details remain crisp, colors stay accurate, and there’s none of that smeary noise reduction plaguing other phones.
6. Professional Video Capabilities: 8K Recording and 1920fps Slow-Mo
Content creators, pay attention. The Xiaomi 17 Ultra isn’t just about still photography—it’s a video powerhouse that competes with dedicated cameras.
Video specifications:
- 8K video at 30fps for maximum detail
- 4K video at up to 120fps for smooth slow-motion
- Super slow-motion at 1080p 1920fps (yes, you read that right)
- Excellent color accuracy and skin tone reproduction
- Maintains detail even when digitally zooming in post-production
The 1920fps slow-motion is particularly insane. You get 10 seconds of recording and have to nail the timing, but when you do, the results are spectacular—think water droplets frozen in time or capturing the exact moment of impact.
Video quality shows natural colors, accurate lighting, and enough detail to crop or zoom in editing without quality loss. For mobile videographers, this phone is a complete production studio.
7. Flagship Performance: Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 Without Throttling Issues
Camera prowess means nothing if the phone can’t handle intensive tasks. The Xiaomi 17 Ultra packs the latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 processor with the fastest RAM and storage available.
Performance highlights:
- AnTuTu score around 39 lakh (3.9 million)
- Solid Geekbench scores across single and multi-core
- Smooth multitasking with split-screen apps
- Gaming at maximum settings stays butter-smooth
- Temperature management keeps the phone cool under load
Real-world testing showed impressive thermal management:
- Video calls with multiple apps open: No issues
- BGMI at 90fps: Smooth gameplay, temperature around 27°C
- Wuthering Waves on high settings for 30 minutes: Stayed around 30°C
- Extended photo sessions did cause some warmth, but nothing alarming
The phone handles everything you throw at it without breaking a sweat. For a camera-centric device, having flagship-level performance ensures you’re never waiting for the phone to catch up.
8. Massive 6,800mAh Battery: All-Day Power for Heavy Shooters
Photography drains batteries fast. The Xiaomi 17 Ultra addresses this with a monster 6,800mAh silicon-carbon battery—significantly larger than the 15 Ultra’s 6,000mAh (and way bigger than the 5,410mAh Indian variant).
Battery performance:
- 1 to 1.5 days of heavy usage including extensive photography
- 90W fast charging to quickly top up
- 50W wireless charging for cable-free convenience
- 10W reverse wireless charging to power accessories
Even with intensive photo sessions, social media scrolling, and gaming, the battery easily lasted over a day. The silicon-carbon technology allows for higher capacity in the same physical space, making the phone surprisingly manageable despite the huge battery.
Hopefully, when Xiaomi launches this in India, they maintain the full 6,800mAh capacity instead of reducing it like they did with the previous generation.
9. Premium Design That Feels Like a Real Camera
Most flagship phones look identical—flat glass rectangles with camera bumps. The Xiaomi 17 Ultra throws that playbook out the window.
Design highlights:
- Massive camera module covering nearly half the back
- Looks like a Leica pocket camera from a distance
- Dual-tone leather and glass finish for premium feel
- Completely flat front and back (no curves)
- Thinner than the 15 Ultra despite larger battery
- 6.9-inch display with 120Hz LTPO and 3,500 nits peak brightness
- Xiaomi Shield Glass 3.0 (claimed 20x stronger than regular glass)
People genuinely mistake this for a professional camera when you’re shooting outdoors. The design isn’t just about looks—it’s functional. The weight distribution, the grip, the button placement—everything feels designed for photography first, phone calls second.
The larger 6.9-inch display provides more room for framing shots and reviewing photos with excellent color accuracy and outdoor visibility.
10. Future-Proof Innovation in a Stagnant Market
Here’s the real reason to buy the Xiaomi 17 Ultra: it represents the future of smartphone photography while everyone else plays it safe.
Apple, Samsung, and Google are stuck in a loop—same flat designs, minor spec bumps, slightly different colors, zero risks. They’re selling safety and familiarity. Meanwhile, companies like Xiaomi are pushing boundaries and experimenting with actual hardware innovation.
The Xiaomi 17 Ultra proves:
- Physical camera controls enhance the shooting experience
- Floating lens technology solves the zoom quality problem
- Larger sensors create genuinely better photos, not just better processing
- Smartphones can be specialized tools, not just general-purpose devices
- There’s still room for innovation in the flagship space
The camera ring might not appear on every phone (it’s experimental), but the floating lens technology will likely become standard in future flagship cameras. You’re getting tomorrow’s technology today.
Is the Xiaomi 17 Ultra Worth It?
Expected Indian pricing:
- Standard Xiaomi 17 Ultra: Around ₹1.1 lakh
- Leica Edition: ₹1.3-1.4 lakh
This isn’t cheap, but you’re not buying a regular smartphone—you’re buying a professional camera system with smartphone capabilities. If mobile photography is your passion and you want the absolute best camera hardware available, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra justifies its premium.
Who should buy it:
- Photography enthusiasts who want DSLR-level control on a phone
- Content creators needing professional video capabilities
- Tech enthusiasts who appreciate genuine innovation
- Anyone tired of the same boring flagship formula
Who should skip it:
- Budget-conscious buyers (obviously)
- Anyone wanting a balanced, all-rounder flagship (check Vivo X300 Pro or Oppo Find X9 Pro)
- People who prefer software-processed photos over Leica’s artistic style
Final Verdict: The Most Exciting Flagship in Years
The Xiaomi 17 Ultra is what happens when a company stops playing it safe and builds something genuinely different. It’s not perfect—the software has bloatware, the camera ring takes getting used to, and the price will make you gulp—but it’s unapologetically ambitious.
In 2026, we have three types of flagships: those playing it safe (Apple, Samsung, Google), those making significant hardware upgrades (Vivo, Oppo), and those going completely experimental (Xiaomi). The Xiaomi 17 Ultra firmly belongs in that last category.
For tech enthusiasts who remember when smartphones were exciting and innovative, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra is a breath of fresh air. It makes technology fun again.
Want more detailed insights? Read our complete Xiaomi 17 Ultra review for in-depth camera samples, performance benchmarks, and comparison with competitors.
Would you choose the Xiaomi 17 Ultra over the Vivo X300 Pro or Oppo Find X9 Pro? Let us know in the comments below!
Disclaimer: Prices mentioned are estimates based on Chinese pricing converted to INR. Actual Indian pricing may vary. The unit tested is a Chinese version with bloatware and lacks Google services pre-installed. Imported units carry no warranty.
