Xiaomi 17 Ultra: Low-Light Photography Tested in Córdoba | Hands-on Review
Xiaomi Focuses on Low-Light Photography with New 17 Series in Córdoba
Córdoba, Spain – Technology manufacturer Xiaomi hosted a select group of journalists in Córdoba to showcase its new Xiaomi 17 Series, with a particular emphasis on the photographic capabilities of the Xiaomi 17 Ultra, designed for challenging low-light conditions. The presentation, organized in collaboration with PHotoESPAÑA, paired the new technology with the region’s culinary landscape.
The event began at the three-Michelin-starred restaurant Noor, where chef Paco Morales framed the presentation around the concept of light. “Noor means light in Arabic,” Morales stated, setting the stage for a demonstration of the phone’s ability to capture images in darkness. The pairing of gastronomy and photography, according to Xiaomi, aims to explore the relationship between visual representation and sensory experience.
Prior to a specially prepared tasting menu, Morales addressed the attendees, stating his team of nearly 25 people were dedicated to creating a positive experience. The focus remained on the interplay of “darkness and clarity” central to the restaurant’s philosophy. Xiaomi’s strategy involved a demonstration of the Xiaomi 17 Ultra’s performance in a series of settings, beginning with the Noor restaurant, moving to the historic city center, and culminating in a private nighttime visit to the Mezquita-Catedral with photographer Javier Corso.
Photographer Javier Salas explained that the intention of the photographic pairings with the dishes wasn’t to replicate taste visually, but rather to convey the origin, landscape, and cultural context of the ingredients. He described the process as attempting to “surround” the dish, explaining its provenance and atmosphere. Morales added that experiencing the visual component before tasting enhances the dining experience, calling Xiaomi’s approach “tremendously innovative.”
The visual accompaniment to the Karim de Pistacho dish involved a series of three images. The first depicted a baker beginning his day early, the second focused on the historical foundations of the dish’s flavor, dating back over 1300 years, and the third showcased the agricultural landscape. Salas aimed to capture the “construction, elements, textures, and colors” that Morales incorporates into the dish. A quote from the event highlighted the phone’s ability to refine images taken in low light: “Photographing is drawing with light… and what this phone facilitates is that the darkness generated around that light is less dirty, more defined.”
The demonstration continued in the Posada del Potro, with flamenco music and dance providing a backdrop for further testing of the Xiaomi 17 Series. All photographs accompanying this report were taken using the new phone.