Xiaomi 17 Ultra Review: More Camera Than Phone | All Things Mobile

The Xiaomi 17 Ultra Leica phone is an exceptional camera-centric smartphone offering a professional mobile imaging experience, albeit at a premium price.

• The Xiaomi 17 Ultra Leica is primarily a camera-focused smartphone, delivering professional-grade mobile photography.

• It features advanced Leica hardware, authentic color profiles, and tactile controls, providing a unique photography experience.

• While expensive, its exceptional camera quality and overall flagship performance make it ideal for serious photographers.

The Xiaomi 17 Ultra Leica phone stands out as the best camera phone used, designed in partnership with the iconic German brand Leica. It delivers stunning photo quality, rich in detail and natural shadows, rivaling professional cameras in workflow and aesthetic. While expensive at £1,700, its advanced camera hardware, tactile controls, and authentic Leica color profiles make it a powerhouse for serious photographers.

Leica Phone Overview

• 00:00:00 The Xiaomi 17 Ultra, specifically the Leica phone version, is Xiaomi's flagship device developed in collaboration with Leica, featuring extensive Leica branding and functionality. Priced at £1,700 (approximately $2,300), this phone is presented as 'more camera than phone,' combining a supercharged processor and a glorious display to create an all-around powerhouse deserving of its premium title.

Advanced Camera System

• 00:01:47 The phone's main camera incorporates a new 'loafic' image sensor for superior dynamic range, complemented by a large physical sensor and high-quality Leica Sumilux glass lenses. Its telephoto zoom uses physical moving elements for continuous zoom between 75-100mm, controlled by a tactile function wheel that simulates a real camera experience. The device also includes authentic Leica color profiles, such as 'Leica chrome,' which are crucial for achieving its distinctive image quality with deep, natural shadows.

Professional Photography Experience

• 00:03:30 The Xiaomi Leica phone facilitates a professional photography workflow, allowing users to shoot in pro mode and adjust exposure with the front wheel to deepen shadows, similar to using a dedicated Leica camera. It offers modes simulating Leica's high-contrast black and white styles, including a 'monopan 50' film simulation, producing tones remarkably similar to actual Leica cameras. Although not on par with a professional Leica Q3, the phone is considered the best phone camera available, especially for night photography, despite some minor detail mushiness at night and occasional excessive noise reduction.

Overall Phone Performance

• 00:05:56 Beyond its camera capabilities, the phone runs on Qualcomm's latest Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor, ensuring swift navigation and strong performance for demanding games. It features a bright, vibrant 6.9-inch OLED display and an IP68 water resistance rating, making it robust for various conditions. Running Android 16 with some Xiaomi AI additions, its general smartphone features are comparable to other Android flagships, making the Leica version particularly appealing to photography enthusiasts rather than general users.