Xiaomi 17 Ultra and Leica Leitzphone: A Photographer's Dream in a Flagship Package

The Xiaomi 17 Ultra and its special edition, the Leica Leitzphone, are making waves in the smartphone market, particularly among photography enthusiasts. These devices, developed in collaboration with the renowned camera brand Leica, offer a compelling blend of design and functionality. While the Xiaomi 17 Ultra is already a strong contender in the flagship phone arena, the Leitzphone adds a unique Leica-inspired aesthetic that is likely to attract fans of the German camera maker.

Xiaomi, the third-largest smartphone manufacturer globally, continues to challenge industry giants Apple and Samsung with its cutting-edge hardware. The 17 Ultra series, known for its exceptional camera capabilities, skipped the 16 series to align with Apple's latest iPhone release. Although the 17 Ultra does not feature a radical redesign from its predecessor, the 15 Ultra, it introduces refinements and the Leica-designed Leitzphone, which could be particularly appealing to American photographers willing to import the device.

The Leitzphone's design is characterized by its minimalist industrial look, featuring textured black and silver materials with a distinctive red accent. The aluminum alloy frame is ribbed for better grip, and the camera ring can be rotated for precise zoom control. Despite its impressive design, the absence of a dedicated shutter button is notable, though it can be added with an optional photography kit.

Both the 17 Ultra and Leitzphone boast a stunning 6.9-inch OLED display with a variable refresh rate and high peak brightness, ensuring visibility in various lighting conditions. However, the large camera module, necessary to accommodate the advanced camera system, presents some design challenges. It prevents the phone from lying flat and can make it feel top-heavy.

The camera system is the standout feature of these phones. The main 50-megapixel camera, equipped with a new 1-inch sensor, delivers excellent results in diverse settings, including low light. The telephoto lens, a 200-megapixel shooter, offers impressive optical zoom capabilities, while the 50-megapixel ultrawide lens excels in capturing expansive scenes. The front-facing camera has also been upgraded to 50 megapixels, catering to selfie enthusiasts.

The optional Photography Kit Pro enhances the Leitzphone and 17 Ultra with a magnetic case for Qi2 charging, a camera grip with traditional controls, and an additional battery boost. Video capabilities have been improved, with support for 4K Dolby Vision and 8K recording, although the iPhone still leads in stabilization.

Under the hood, the 17 Ultra is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset, with up to 16 GB of RAM and 1 TB of storage, ensuring smooth performance across all applications. The device's 6,000-mAh battery provides impressive longevity, though the lack of Qi2 support is a drawback. Wireless charging is available at 50 watts, and wired charging can reach 90 watts with the appropriate adapter.

Xiaomi's HyperOS, while reminiscent of iOS, is generally satisfactory, though the presence of preinstalled apps like Facebook and TikTok is undesirable. The phone's AI capabilities, including photo and video editing, are robust, though not as refined as Google's offerings.

Despite not being officially available in the US, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra and Leitzphone are accessible in the UK and Europe, priced at £1,299 and £1,799, respectively. These devices represent a near-perfect choice for those seeking a high-performance, photography-centric smartphone.