Xiaomi 17 Ultra – when it comes to its camera capabilities, this smartphone is on a completely different level. I’ve put it through testing mode, and I was genuinely surprised by the results of the photos.
This isn’t just a case of snap a couple of quick shots and show them off. I specifically sent my team to Banaras to engage in real-world street photography and see just how powerful this device truly is.
So without wasting time lets know everything about this phone’s camera, specs, features, price.
Unboxing and Extra Kit
While opening the box, the first thing I found was a 100W charger, a significant inclusion these days. Xiaomi has also bundled in a transparent hard-shell case and a comprehensive photography kit.
This kit includes a camera grip that doubles as a power bank, a customizable shutter button, lens rings, and a lanyard, meaning that if you are serious about photography, this kit is an incredibly useful accessory.
Design: A Bit Wider, A Bit Slimmer
Compared to last year’s model, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra is slightly wider and slimmer. It features a boxy design, aligning with the current trends of the year. The back panel sports a fiberglass finish and is available in two color options Black and White.
It had IP69 rating, suggesting strong durability. The device is protected by Xiaomi Shield Glass 3.0, which is claimed to be 20 times stronger than its predecessor. The speakers and haptics are also quite impressive.
Offline Connectivity
There is one particularly intriguing feature called Offline Connectivity. This means that even if your SIM card has no network signal, you can still place a call provided your contact is within a 1.9 km radius. While this feature remains to be tested in real-world scenarios, it certainly sounds fascinating.
The Camera
Now, for the main event, the camera. It features a triple-lens setup comprising 50MP + 50MP + 200MP sensors. The standout component is the 200MP periscope lens, which physically shifts its position to cover a focal range of 75mm to 100mm. This translates to true optical zoom rather than mere digital zoom.
The primary camera utilizes a large 1-inch sensor, enhanced by LOFIC technology. Standard phones utilize HDR by capturing and combining multiple photos, whereas LOFIC delivers a significantly superior dynamic range in a single shot. The difference is clearly evident in photos of the Ganga Aarti. The lighting is perfectly controlled, noise is minimal, and shadows are handled exceptionally well.
In Leica Authentic mode, the colors appear incredibly natural and artistic. Black and White photos also turn out stunningly. New Positive and Negative filters have also been added.
The phone performs impressively in zoom tests as well, thanks to the physical movement of the lens elements. Autofocus is extremely fast, making it perfect for street photography. The ultrawide lens is decent, though I didn’t use it extensively since my street shots required closer subjects.
Video Recording
For video recording, all three lenses support up to 4K resolution at 120fps. With Dolby Vision and Leica tuning, the colors appear neutral and natural. The front camera has also seen significant improvements this time around, supporting both 4K 60fps and wide-angle shots.
Display, Performance, and Battery
The display features a 6.9-inch flat AMOLED panel with a 120Hz refresh rate and LTPO technology. It supports 12-bit color technically 10-bit plus FRC, resulting in incredibly rich and vibrant colors. Peak brightness reaches up to 3500 nits.
In terms of performance, the device is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset, paired with 16GB LPDDR5X RAM and UFS 4.1 storage. It handles heavy gaming and multitasking with absolute ease. HyperOS 3 based on Android 16 runs smoothly and includes basic AI features.
The battery has a capacity of 6000mAh. It supports 90W fast charging, and a 100W charger is included in the box.
Specifications Of Xiaomi 17 Ultra
| Specifications | Details |
|---|---|
| Processor | Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 |
| RAM / Storage | 16GB LPDDR5X / UFS 4.1 |
| Display | 6.9-inch AMOLED, 120Hz LTPO, 3500 nits peak |
| Camera | Rear: 50MP + 50MP + 200MP Periscope; Front: 4K 60fps Camera |
| Battery | 6000mAh, 90W Fast Charging |
| Operating System | HyperOS 3 based on Android 16 |
| Build | Xiaomi Shield Glass 3.0, IP69 Rating |
| Other | Photography Kit Support, Offline Connectivity |
Price in India
- Xiaomi 17 starts at ₹90,000.
- Xiaomi 17 Ultra starts at ₹1,40,000.
A special offer is currently running where you get a complimentary photography kit with the purchase of the Ultra model.
Final Thoughts
Honestly, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra is truly a phenomenal smartphone for photography enthusiasts. There appears to be a massive improvement over last year’s Ultra model, especially in dynamic range, low-light performance, and zoom capabilities. If you take photography seriously and your budget allows for it, this phone seems to be the most powerful camera phone released to date.
What do you think? Does it justify the ₹1.4 lakh price tag? Or do you feel that the S25 Ultra or Vivo X200 Pro are still better options? Be sure to let me know in the comments.
