Review: Xiaomi 17 Ultra and Special-Edition Leica Leitzphone

If the Xiaomi 17 Ultra wasn’t enticing enough, a special version dubbed the Leitzphone—designed with Leica—will surely seduce photo nerds willing to risk a Chinese import.

I’ve been reviewing Xiaomi’s smartphones for several years, and I always look forward to the new Ultra. If you’ve never sampled its wares, preferring the latest Apple or Samsung iteration, you might be surprised at just how good these devices are. The Chinese company is the third-largest phone maker in the world behind Apple and Samsung, and it packs all the latest cutting-edge hardware into its annual flagship release. Xiaomi’s Ultra line has long battled for the camera king title.

Amusingly, Xiaomi skipped the 16 series to compete directly with Apple’s latest iPhone generation. There’s no radical redesign for the 17 Ultra over last year’s Xiaomi 15 Ultra ...