# Xiaomi 17 Ultra - More Camera than Phone! Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DqAKQwagCDg Recap page: https://rapidrecap.app/video/DqAKQwagCDg Generated: 2026-01-22T20:05:07.884+00:00 --- ## Quick Overview The Xiaomi 17 Ultra Leica Edition delivers an incredibly fun and highly customizable smartphone photography experience, primarily due to its physical, rotating camera ring that controls zoom and exposure, coupled with powerful hardware like a 1-inch main sensor and Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, although the physical ring's accidental triggering is a minor drawback. **Key Points:** - The Xiaomi 17 Ultra Leica Edition features a unique physical, rotating metal ring around the camera module that serves as a shortcut for launching the camera and controlling zoom (75mm to 100mm equivalent) and exposure value (EV) in video mode. - The camera system boasts a massive 1-inch, 50MP main sensor (f/1.67), a 50MP ultrawide lens (f/2.2, 14mm equivalent), and a 50MP periscope telephoto lens with 3.2x to 4.3x optical zoom (75mm to 100mm equivalent). - The phone runs on Xiaomi HyperOS (based on Android 16) and is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset with LPDDR5X RAM and UFS 4.1 storage, providing flagship performance. - The Leica partnership is deeply integrated, offering custom profiles like 'Leica Vibrant' and 'Leica Authentic' (M9 Profile), which provide distinct color profiles that are built into the image processing pipeline, not just filters. - In video mode, the camera ring adjusts exposure value by default, offering physical control over settings usually reserved for manual adjustments, which the reviewer found very engaging. - The device includes a 5,580mAh silicon-carbon battery supporting 90W wired and 50W wireless charging. - A minor flaw noted is the potential for accidentally brushing the camera ring, which can trigger camera settings or launch the app unintentionally, although this can be configured in settings. ![Screenshot at 00:48: The reviewer demonstrates the included white protective case, which features a magnetic ring accessory that mimics the look and feel of a traditional camera lens cap, further emphasizing the phone's camera-centric design.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/DqAKQwagCDg/00-00-48.jpg) **Context:** The video is a review of the Xiaomi 17 Ultra Leica Edition smartphone, focusing heavily on its distinctive camera hardware and software features, particularly the physical ring surrounding the large camera array. The presenter compares the experience to using a dedicated camera, highlighting the deep integration of Leica's imaging expertise into the phone's software processing and hardware controls, contrasting this with standard smartphone camera implementations. ## Detailed Analysis The reviewer provides an in-depth look at the Xiaomi 17 Ultra Leica Edition, concluding that it offers the most fun and thoughtful smartphone camera experience he has encountered, despite minor quirks. The key feature is the physical, rotating metal ring around the massive camera module, which acts as a customizable physical control. Rotating it clockwise cycles through camera modes (Photo, Video, Portrait, Pro, Fastshot, Leica Essential, Movie, 200MP), while counter-clockwise cycles through features within those modes. The ring also controls zoom (75mm to 100mm equivalent on the telephoto) and EV adjustment in video mode, providing tactile feedback that mimics a real camera. The camera hardware is top-tier, featuring a 1-inch, 50MP main sensor (f/1.67), a 50MP ultrawide (f/2.2), and a 50MP periscope telephoto (f/2.9-4.0). The phone runs on Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, LPDDR5X RAM, and UFS 4.1 storage, all managed by Xiaomi HyperOS (based on Android 16). The Leica integration goes beyond simple presets, building color profiles like 'Leica Vibrant' and 'Leica Authentic' (M9 Profile) directly into the image pipeline, resulting in images that look sharp, organic, and less processed than standard phone output, even in high-resolution modes. The battery is a large 5,580mAh unit supporting 90W wired and 50W wireless charging. The primary downside mentioned is the ease with which the camera ring can be accidentally brushed or triggered when simply holding or pocketing the large device, although settings allow this function to be turned off or restricted to only launching the camera app. ### Camera Hardware & Physical Controls - Features a prominent, rotating metal ring around the camera module that controls zoom (75mm to 100mm equivalent) and EV adjustment; Triple camera setup includes a 1-inch 50MP main sensor (f/1.67), 50MP ultrawide (f/2.2), and 50MP telephoto. ### Software & Leica Integration - Runs Xiaomi HyperOS (Android 16); Features deep Leica integration with profiles like 'Leica Vibrant' and 'Leica Authentic' (M9 Profile) that affect the image processing pipeline; Camera ring functionality is highly customizable via settings. ### Performance & Battery - Powered by Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, LPDDR5X RAM, and UFS 4.1 storage; Equipped with a 5,580mAh silicon-carbon battery supporting 90W wired and 50W wireless charging. ### User Experience & Flaws - The physical ring provides a satisfying, tactile shooting experience, enabling smooth zoom control; A minor issue is the potential for accidental triggering when handling the phone, though this can be adjusted in settings. ![Screenshot at 00:10: A demonstration of the phone being held horizontally to take a photo, showcasing the large, distinctive camera module.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/DqAKQwagCDg/00-00-10.jpg) ![Screenshot at 00:39: The reviewer opens the premium black packaging, clearly showing the 'Xiaomi 17 Ultra by Leica' branding on the inner lid, emphasizing the co-branding.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/DqAKQwagCDg/00-00-39.jpg) ![Screenshot at 00:56: The reviewer examines the included metallic Leica lens cap accessory, which attaches magnetically to the case, mimicking traditional camera gear.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/DqAKQwagCDg/00-00-56.jpg) ![Screenshot at 03:04: A close-up view of the main camera module detailing the 'LEICA VARIO-APO-SUMMILUX 1:1.67-2.9/14-100 ASPH.' specifications, confirming the variable aperture and focal range.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/DqAKQwagCDg/00-03-04.jpg) ![Screenshot at 04:04: The camera app interface in Photo mode is displayed, showing the manual zoom dial being manipulated by a finger, illustrating the physical control over focal lengths.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/DqAKQwagCDg/00-04-04.jpg)