Xiaomi 17 Ultra Confirmed for December 25 China Launch: Leica APO Telephoto, and more

Xiaomi has officially confirmed the launch of the Xiaomi 17 Ultra, its next-generation flagship Ultra-series smartphone, in China on December 25. The announcement positions the Xiaomi 17 Ultra as one of the most anticipated premium Android phones of the year, with a strong focus on cutting-edge camera technology and flagship-level performance.

One of the biggest highlights of the Xiaomi 17 Ultra is its industry-first Leica APO-certified telephoto lens. This marks a major milestone in Xiaomi and Leica’s ongoing partnership, as APO (Apochromatic) optics are designed to significantly reduce chromatic aberration, resulting in improved sharpness, color accuracy, and clarity—especially during high-zoom photography.

Major Camera Upgrades Focused on Low-Light and Zoom

Xiaomi 17 Ultra introduces significant advancements in low-light imaging and long-range photography. At the core of its rear camera setup is a 1-inch Omnivision OV50X primary sensor, a premium large-format sensor aimed at delivering DSLR-like image quality.

The OV50X sensor utilizes advanced LOFIC (Lateral Overflow Integration Capacitor) technology, which allows the camera to capture a much wider dynamic range. This results in better highlight control, improved shadow details, and superior performance in challenging lighting environments.

Alongside the primary camera, the smartphone features a standout 200-megapixel Samsung periscope telephoto lens with Leica APO-certified optics. This powerful zoom camera is expected to offer exceptional long-range clarity, reduced color fringing, and improved night-time zoom photography, setting a new benchmark for smartphone telephoto systems.

Flagship Performance and Display

Powering the Xiaomi 17 Ultra is the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor, Qualcomm’s latest flagship chipset. The new SoC is expected to bring substantial improvements in performance efficiency, graphics capabilities, and AI-powered imaging enhancements.

The device is also reported to feature a high-efficiency flat display, likely an advanced LTPO AMOLED panel designed to balance visual quality with power efficiency.

Battery and Charging

To support its high-performance internals, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra reportedly packs a massive 6,800mAh battery. Charging capabilities are equally impressive, with support for 100W wired fast charging and 80W wireless charging, ensuring minimal downtime for users.

India Launch Expectations

Following its China debut, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra is expected to launch in India in Q1 2026, potentially alongside the vanilla Xiaomi 17. However, it remains unclear whether Xiaomi plans to bring the Xiaomi 17 Pro and Xiaomi 17 Pro Max models to the Indian market.

With its Leica APO optics, powerful hardware, and massive battery, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra is shaping up to be a true flagship contender in 2026.