Unveiling the Xiaomi 17 Ultra: A Photography Powerhouse in a Winter Setting

Xiaomi has just unveiled its latest flagship series, and at its heart lies the Xiaomi 17 Ultra – a device that promises phenomenal photographic capabilities alongside top-tier specifications. As soon as my package arrived, I wasted no time. I immediately set out on a photographic adventure through Lidzbark Warmiński, the historic capital of Warmia, to put its potential to the test.

The Xiaomi 17 Ultra Camera System: An Engineering Marvel

The Xiaomi 17 Ultra arrived in what is arguably its most exciting color variant: Starlit Green. This vibrant hue, adorned with glistening particles, exudes a truly premium feel. However, the most striking feature is undoubtedly the elaborate camera island, elegantly embellished with the iconic Leica logo. This device marks the fifth anniversary of Xiaomi’s collaboration with the legendary photography company, and such meticulous attention to design details is a testament to this partnership.

Impressive Camera Hardware

The rear camera array boasts an impressive setup:

• Main Sensor: A large 1-inch, 50-megapixel primary sensor with a bright f/1.67 aperture. This unit incorporates LOFIC technology, which extends the tonal dynamic range directly on the sensor, resulting in significantly improved night photos.
• Telephoto Lens: An equally impressive 200-megapixel telephoto lens featuring a variable focal length of 75-100mm (offering 3.2x to 4.3x optical zoom). It also boasts a variable aperture (f/2.39-2.96) and utilizes advanced apochromatic lenses designed to eliminate chromatic aberrations, ensuring superior image clarity.
• Ultra-Wide Angle: Completing the trio is a 50-megapixel ultra-wide-angle lens (14mm equivalent) with an f/2.2 aperture, perfect for expansive landscapes and architectural shots.

Seamless Camera Software

Photography begins with the camera application itself, and the one on the Xiaomi 17 Ultra is simply outstanding. The software is ergonomically designed, operates with lightning speed, and is a genuine pleasure to use. But let’s move on to the most important aspect: the photos themselves.

Day-Time Photography: Unlimited Potential

My first stop was an old railway bridge. To capture its grandeur, I utilized all three lenses, and for the telephoto, I experimented with its extreme focal lengths. Even after the first few shots, I knew the Xiaomi 17 Ultra possessed immense potential, with its lenses offering impressive flexibility and versatility.

The color rendition of rust, cold concrete, and snow was spot-on, perfectly capturing the atmosphere. The depth and sharpness were equally impressive. Knowing I held a photographic beast in my hands, I decided to play with various compositions and focal lengths. I focused on a metal grate and crumbling bricks, sought out objects for macro photography (which the Xiaomi handles exceptionally well), and even observed the local ducks.

Photographing the gate of the city stadium directly against the sun revealed the smartphone’s remarkable ability to prevent sky overexposure while simultaneously extracting a wealth of detail from the shadows. This is arguably one of the most challenging scenarios a smartphone camera can face during the day, and the Xiaomi 17 Ultra excelled.

Lidzbark Warmiński, with its rich history, offers numerous historical monuments. I took photos with virtually every lens, often incorporating the hybrid zoom for added reach. The resulting images are perfect for social media and many are even worthy of being postcards.

When the sun emerged from behind the clouds, I truly appreciated the phone’s expansive 6.9-inch HyperRGB OLED screen. This display offers a high resolution of 2608 × 1200 pixels, stunning colors, and an exceptional peak brightness of 3500 nits. This meant that photographing and evaluating results was effortless, even in harsh sunlight.

It’s also worth noting that captured photos can be conveniently edited within the gallery application. The software is user-friendly, and the powerful Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor ensures that the “AI Enhancement” feature works instantaneously, making quick edits a breeze.

Night Photography: Mastering the Dark

Night photography presents the ultimate challenge for any smartphone, but in these demanding conditions, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra proved itself to be a truly reliable device. How did the historical monuments of Lidzbark Warmiński fare through the lens of this smartphone after dark?

The results were excellent. Crucially, the photos did not show any aggressive processing algorithms. The outcomes were natural and highly appealing. I captured all these images in automatic mode. Thanks to its LOFIC technology, the smartphone handled high contrasts brilliantly, preventing elements like streetlights from being overexposed.

The device encourages the use of its significant zoom capabilities even at night. Shots at 75mm, 100mm, and even 200mm were no problem. Even demanding users should be satisfied with the photos taken, regardless of the surrounding conditions.

The Xiaomi 17 Ultra also excels at managing high contrasts in artificial lighting. Light installations and lamps appear natural and exceptionally well-rendered. Importantly, the phone avoids blowing out bright elements, and when photographing such subjects, the interface even suggests a dedicated fireworks mode. A light installation resembling a fountain looked superb through every lens.

At night, there’s an opportunity to play with colors. While artificial lighting can often spoil photos, particularly their color accuracy, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra is well-equipped to handle this. Murals, signs, and objects in a playground all looked as good as they would in natural light.

Beyond Photography: Battery Life and Video Capabilities

During daily use, I truly appreciated the generous 6000 mAh battery. This capacity easily ensures a full day of smartphone usage, allowing for extensive photo-taking without worry. After two nearly two-hour photographic walks, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra still had over 60% battery remaining, demonstrating its excellent endurance. The device supports 90-watt wired charging and 50-watt wireless charging for quick power-ups.

The Xiaomi 17 Ultra also delivers phenomenal video recording quality. The device can capture video in stunning 4K resolution at 120 frames per second or in cinematic 8K resolution at 30 frames per second.

Xiaomi 17 Ultra: The Only Camera You Need?

Xiaomi’s latest offering is truly an exceptional model. This smartphone stands out with its superb hardware and, most notably, its brilliant photographic capabilities. The Xiaomi 17 Ultra is available in three elegant color options: Starlit Green, classic White, and sophisticated Black.

The device comes in two configurations: 16GB RAM with 512GB storage, and 16GB RAM with 1TB storage, priced at approximately $1600 and $1750 USD, respectively (recommended retail prices). It’s worth acting quickly, as the manufacturer has prepared a special launch promotion available from February 28 to March 14, 2026. During this promotional period, when you purchase a Xiaomi 17 Ultra, you can add a Xiaomi Scooter 5 Max or a Xiaomi Pad 8 (8+128GB) to your cart for just an additional $1.

The Exclusive Leica Leitzphone Powered by Xiaomi

For those seeking an even more unique model, the limited-edition Leica Leitzphone powered by Xiaomi could be the perfect choice. This exclusive version of the Xiaomi 17 Ultra offers a premium aesthetic and additional photographic features, including an aluminum body with a nickel-anodized finish and an innovative Leica Camera Ring – a physical dial that simulates the feel and function of a traditional camera lens.

Source: Internal Review. Opening photo: Gemini

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Anuj Kushwaha

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