Xiaomi unveiled its latest flagship smartphones on Thursday, directly challenging Apple’s dominance in the premium market with the Xiaomi 17, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra, and a co-designed model with Leica, the Leica Leitzphone. The launch signals an intensified competition in the high-end smartphone sector, particularly regarding mobile photography capabilities.
The Xiaomi 17 Ultra and the Leica Leitzphone represent the company’s continued focus on camera technology. Xiaomi has long been a contender for the title of “camera king” in the smartphone world, and the new models aim to solidify that position. The Leitzphone, in particular, is designed with a strong emphasis on the photographic experience, boasting Leica’s signature aesthetic, and functionality. It features a ribbed aluminum alloy frame for improved grip and a rotating ring around the camera for precise zoom control, according to reviews.
The Leica Leitzphone is notable for its prioritization of photography, incorporating Leica color effects and a hardware wheel for camera settings adjustments. The phone will even be sold in Leica’s own retail stores in the UK, highlighting the depth of the collaboration between the two companies. CNET’s review called the Leica Leitzphone “the best, most exciting camera phone” they have ever used, surpassing even Apple’s iPhone 17 Pro and Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Ultra in its photographic capabilities.
While the Xiaomi 17 Ultra offers a more conventional design with minimal Leica branding, both models benefit from a powerful processor and a high-quality display. Wired’s review noted the excellent performance and battery life of the 17 Ultra, alongside its versatile camera system. However, the review too pointed out drawbacks, including bloatware and the lack of Qi2 wireless charging support.
The Xiaomi 17 series is not officially available in the United States, but the 17 Ultra is expected to appeal to American photographers willing to import the device. The Leica Leitzphone is also available with the Xiaomi 17 Ultra Photography Kit Pro, which includes a 2,000 mAh battery pack for extended shooting sessions, priced at €199.99.
Xiaomi president Lu Weibing stated that the partnership with Leica is focused on “building future-proof optical technology” and “completely reshaping the mobile photography experience.” The launch of the 17 series marks a direct challenge to Apple, with Xiaomi skipping the 16 series to align its release cycle with Apple’s latest iPhone generation.
