The latest Xiaomi 17 Ultra is powerful, immersive, and built to last.
Xiaomi’s Ultra series has always been about redefining what a flagship can deliver, and the latest Xiaomi 17 Ultra represents a significant evolution of its Ultra line, co-engineered with Leica under a new “Strategic Co-creation Model.” Where the Xiaomi 15 Ultra impressed with its quad-camera versatility and faster wireless charging, the 17 Ultra shifts emphasis toward durability, imaging breakthroughs, and endurance.
Despite housing a larger 6000mAh battery, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra is slimmer at 8.29mm and lighter than the Xiaomi 15 Ultra’s 9.35mm frame. This makes it more comfortable to hold and carry. Xiaomi’s Guardian Structure introduces Shield Glass 3.0, offering 30% greater drop resistance compared to the Xiaomi 15 Ultra. Combined with afibreglasss back, aluminium alloy frame, and IP68 certification up to 6m depth, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra is built to withstand more demanding conditions than its predecessor.
The 6.9-inch HyperRGB OLED panel delivers 3,500 nits peak brightness and 12-bit colour depth. While the Xiaomi 15 Ultra’s WQHD+ AMOLED offered sharper resolution, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra’s redesigned subpixel layout enhances clarity and efficiency. HDR content looks richer, and outdoor visibility is unmatched—ideal for streaming and gaming.
Powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra delivers higher clock speeds and improved efficiency. Paired with 16GB LPDDR5X RAM and UFS 4.1 storage, performance is fluid across multitasking, gaming, and creative workflows. While wireless charging speed is slower than the Xiaomi 15 Ultra’s 80W, the larger battery ensures longer endurance, making it a practical trade-off for heavy users.
Running on HyperOS 3, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra integrates deeper AI features with the AI Creativity Assistant and Circle to Xiaomi HyperConnect file sharing and Multicam setup, enhancing both productivity and imaging workflows. These enhancements feel more polished than the Xiaomi 15 Ultra’s HyperOS 2, pointing to Xiaomi’s vision of AI-driven user experiences. Enthusiasts can also opt for the Photography Kit Pro, which adds a Leica-inspired grip, detachable shutter button, and an extra 2000mAh battery for extended shooting sessions.
Xiaomi trims the quad-camera setup of the Xiaomi 15 Ultra into a triple Leica system on the Xiaomi 17 Ultra. The highlight is the 200MP telephoto lens with variable focal length, offering sharper zoom versatility. The 50MP 1-inch main sensor remains excellent, while the ultra-wide retains clarity. The front camera sees a major leap to 50MP with autofocus, a clear upgrade from the Xiaomi 15 Ultra’s 32MP shooter, making selfies and video calls sharper and more professional.
Through Leica UltraPure optical lens treatment and configuration, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra performs reliably across a wide range of lighting conditions, preserving detail in both bright and low-light scenes. The most sought-after feature of the camera system has got to be the Leica-tuned image processing, which gives photos a film-like character.
We Say: The Xiaomi 17 Ultra is a refined flagship with a slimmer design, brighter screen, and upgraded front camera that represents Xiaomi’s vision of what a modern flagship should be: powerful, immersive, and built to last.
Rating: 4.5/5
S$1,799
www.mi.com
Technical Specifications
Processor Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (3nm) up to 4.6GHz, Adreno GPU
OS Xiaomi HyperOS 3 based on Android 16
Display 6.9″ HyperRGB OLED, 2608 × 1200, 12-bit colour, 3500 nits peak
Storage 16GB LPDDR5X + 512GB UFS 4.1
Rear Camera Leica triple system: 50MP main 1-inch sensor f/1.67, 200MP 75–100mm telephoto f/2.39-2.96 , 50MP f/2.2 ultra-wide
Front Camera 50MP f/2.2 with autofocus
Water Resistance IP68 (6 metres)
Battery 6000 mAh, 90W wired, 50W wireless
Dimensions 163 × 77.6 × 8.3 mm
Weight 218 g
