There is something about Penang that constantly tempts you to reach for your camera. The colourful shophouses of George Town, steaming bowls of laksa, murals tucked away in quiet alleys, and sunsets. It turned out to be the perfect playground for the Xiaomi 17T Pro.
Xiaomi calls it “The Telephoto Master,” and after several days exploring Penang, I understood the versatility of its Leica-powered camera system, allowing me to capture everything from sweeping cityscapes to tiny details.
The phone combines a Leica Summilux optical system with a 50MP main camera, a new 50MP 5x periscope telephoto camera and a 12MP ultra-wide camera, giving plenty of creative flexibility across different focal lengths.
Leica’s Signature Look
I started my morning wandering along Armenian Street, where almost every corner is photo-worthy. Colourful heritage shophouses sit beside famous murals, while little everyday moments unfold around them.
It’s a place with plenty of colour, but the Xiaomi 17T Pro never overdid it. Images looked vibrant without becoming oversaturated, and Leica’s colour tuning gave everything a natural, slightly understated look that I really liked.
The lighting constantly changed as I walked in and out of shaded alleyways, yet the camera handled it confidently. Bright skies didn’t completely blow out, while details inside the darker shopfronts were still visible. It made shooting quick, spontaneous photos much easier because I wasn’t worrying about exposure every other shot.
One feature I love is the Leica Live Moment. Instead of capturing just a single frame, it records the moments just before and after you press the shutter. It sounds like a small addition, but while travelling, it made a surprising difference to capture what is “live” at that moment.
5x Leica Telephoto
The new 5x Leica telephoto lens was amazing. At Leong San Tong Khoo Kongsi, I found myself zooming in instead of taking another wide photo of the building.
The roof is covered with incredibly intricate carvings, colourful ceramic figurines and tiny decorative details that are easy to miss from the ground. The 5x optical zoom let me isolate these elements without losing clarity.
One of my favourite stops was the Penang Peranakan Mansion. Between the carved wooden staircases, colourful Peranakan tiles and antique furniture, it almost feels like walking onto a movie set.
This was where Leica Portrait mode really impressed me. The portraits looked clean and natural, with pleasing background separation that didn’t look overly processed. More importantly, the camera didn’t completely blur away the surroundings. You could still appreciate the beautiful details of the mansion.
For those who like a little touch-up, the AI Beautify feature is subtle enough to smooth skin and brighten the face without making portraits look overly processed or unnatural.
Food Photography
Of course, no trip to Penang is complete without eating.
From laksa to durians, I probably took almost as many food photos as street photos. The telephoto macro feature turned out to be surprisingly useful here. Rather than hovering my phone directly over the plate, I could stand back slightly and still fill the frame with all the little details, the glossy broth and the colourful toppings.
The close focusing distance meant everything looked sharp, while the naturally shallow depth of field helped separate the food from the background without making it look artificially blurred.
After Dark
George Town takes on a completely different character after sunset, so I couldn’t resist heading back out with the Xiaomi 17T Pro.
One of my favourite shots from the trip was of the street art at night. Under the glow of the street lamps, the murals looked completely different from how they did during the day. The Xiaomi 17T Pro did a great job balancing the bright lights with the darker surroundings, preserving the details in the artwork without blowing out the highlights or turning the shadows into a muddy mess.
Video That Doesn’t Feel Like an Afterthought
The phone supports HDR10+, Log recording and cinematic telephoto video, at up to 4K 60fps, giving creators far more flexibility. One feature I kept coming back to was Dual Camera mode, which records using both the front and rear cameras at the same time.
Battery Life That Matches a Travel Day
Travelling is often the toughest battery test. Maps are constantly open. The camera is always in use. Despite spending almost an entire day photographing Penang, I never once worried about running out of battery. The massive 7,000mAh silicon-carbon battery comfortably lasted through full-day sightseeing, while the 100W HyperCharge meant topping up before dinner took very little time.
By the end of the trip, my gallery was filled with memories. From colourful streets and heritage landmarks to portraits, food and moments after dark, the Xiaomi 17T Pro made documenting the journey effortless.
The Xiaomi 17T Pro retails at SGD 999.00, and to find out more, click here.
