Highlights
- Xiaomi 17 Ultra launch is officially set for December 25 in China under Xiaomi’s deeper Leica partnership.
- It features a thinner design, new colours, and a triple-camera setup with a 200MP telephoto lens.
- The launch was moved forward to meet festive demand with the price starting at 6,599 yuan or higher due to rising memory and component costs.
- Alongside the phone, Xiaomi will unveil the Watch 5 with EMG + ECG sensors and the Buds 6 semi-in-ear earbuds offering lossless audio and AI-powered smart features.
Xiaomi has officially confirmed that the Xiaomi 17 Ultra will launch in China on December 25. The upcoming flagship marks the first product to debut under Xiaomi’s deeper partnership with Leica. Alongside the launch date announcement, the company has shared official teasers revealing the phone’s design, colour options, and key specifications, while also addressing the reasons behind its earlier-than-usual launch and an upcoming price increase.
Xiaomi 17 Ultra Design and Colour Options Revealed
The Xiaomi 17 Ultra sports a large, centred circular rear camera module with Leica branding placed prominently in the middle. The Ultra badge remains positioned on the upper-left corner of the rear panel. Xiaomi has also redesigned the volume buttons, replacing the traditional rocker with two separate circular keys aimed at delivering better tactile feedback.
On the front, the device adopts a flat display with large rounded corners, giving it a cleaner and more symmetrical appearance. The rear camera bump is slightly smaller than before and Xiaomi has removed the secondary rear display seen on earlier Ultra models.
Official teaser images showcase the Xiaomi 17 Ultra in Black and White colour options with a design language that closely resembles the previous Xiaomi 15 Ultra. Most of the rear panel space is dominated by the large camera island, which houses Leica branding inside the camera deco.
In a follow-up teaser video, Xiaomi also revealed a new Starry Sky Green colour variant. According to Xiaomi Group President Lu Weibing, this finish integrates ore particles that create a starry sky-like visual effect. This variant features segmented circular volume buttons similar to older iPhone designs and includes a large R-angle 2D flat screen.
Xiaomi has confirmed that the 17 Ultra measures just 8.29mm in thickness, making it the thinnest Ultra smartphone the company has released so far.
Why Xiaomi 17 Ultra Is Launching Earlier and Why It Costs More?
During a recent live stream, Lu Weibing explained why Xiaomi decided to launch the 17 Ultra ahead of its usual schedule. He revealed that many Xiaomi fans requested the Ultra model to arrive before the Chinese New Year so they could use it for family photography during the festive season. Responding to this demand, Xiaomi moved the launch forward to ensure the device would be available before New Year’s Day.
Along with the early launch, Xiaomi has also confirmed a price increase. The Xiaomi 15 Ultra debuted at 6,499 yuan, while the Xiaomi 17 Ultra will start at no less than 6,599 yuan with Lu hinting that the final price could be even higher.
Lu attributed the price hike mainly to rising memory costs driven by AI-related demand. He noted that memory prices have surged since late 2022 and warned that the period between 2025 and 2027 will be particularly difficult in terms of component costs. He also reminded viewers that when the Xiaomi 15 Ultra launched, it was already described as the “last” Ultra phone at that price point. In addition to higher processor and camera costs, memory prices have increased significantly, though Xiaomi believes the new pricing still offers good value considering the overall rise in component expenses.
Xiaomi 17 Ultra Key Specifications and Camera Upgrades
During the same live stream, Lu Weibing shared several important hardware details. Unlike previous models, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra replaces the quad-camera setup with a triple rear camera system. It is confirmed to feature a new 50MP 1-inch main camera, a new 200MP telephoto camera that is said to be 35 percent larger than before, and a 50MP ultra-wide camera. The phone also incorporates third-generation LOFIC technology.
For selfies, Xiaomi has equipped the device with a 50MP front-facing camera. Leica branding and dual LED flash units are visible within the rear camera module. On the performance front, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra will be powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset and will run Android 16-based Xiaomi HyperOS 3.
Lu also confirmed that the telephoto lens on the Xiaomi 17 Ultra will be Leica APO-certified. Although this telephoto camera reportedly costs twice as much as the one used in the Xiaomi 15 Ultra, it promises minimal purple and green fringing, sharper images, improved optical accuracy, and better performance at high zoom levels. Cleaner edges, more accurate colours, and higher overall image quality are also expected. The main camera offers 10x higher dynamic range and Xiaomi has already shared a camera sample.
Other expected features include a smaller circular camera module, dual rounded volume buttons, a lighter and thinner body measuring 77.6mm in width and around 8.0mm in thickness, an improved battery estimated between 6,000mAh and 7,000mAh, and 100W wired fast charging certified via 3C. Xiaomi is also expected to introduce a Leica tele-converter camera kit alongside the phone.
Xiaomi Watch 5 and Buds 6 Also Launching on December 25
Xiaomi has confirmed that two new accessories will debut alongside the Xiaomi 17 Ultra on December 25, the Xiaomi Watch 5 and the Xiaomi Buds 6.
Xiaomi Watch 5
Xiaomi describes the Watch 5 as a “fully intelligent flagship” smartwatch. It is powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon W5 wearable platform, built on a 4nm process and featuring a quad-core Cortex-A53 CPU. The Watch 5 is Xiaomi’s first smartwatch to include an EMG (electromyography) sensor in addition to an ECG (electrocardiogram) sensor.
While Xiaomi has not fully detailed the EMG functionality, the sensor typically detects tiny electrical signals from wrist muscles to interpret gestures, allowing users to control the watch using hand movements. The Watch 5 features a round dial protected by sapphire glass rated 9 on the Mohs hardness scale and a one-piece forged stainless steel casing. It will be offered with stainless steel, brown, and green strap options.
Xiaomi Buds 6
Xiaomi also confirmed the launch of its flagship semi-in-ear earbuds, the Xiaomi Buds 6. Official posters reveal three colour options like Pink, White, and Black. The earbuds feature a biomimetic curve design and promise “CD-level lossless original sound.”
In addition to audio performance, the Buds 6 will support smart features such as intelligent recording, translation, and AI-based summarisation. For reference, the Xiaomi Buds 5 launched last year at 699 yuan and offered semi-in-ear active noise cancellation, Qualcomm lossless audio, spatial audio, and up to 39 hours of battery life with ANC disabled. While pricing and full specifications for the Buds 6 have not yet been announced, they are expected to build upon these features.
FAQs
Q1. When will the Xiaomi 17 Ultra launch in China?
Answer. The Xiaomi 17 Ultra is officially confirmed to launch in China on December 25, 2025.
Q2. Why is the Xiaomi 17 Ultra launching earlier than usual?
Answer. Xiaomi moved the launch forward to meet fan requests for the Ultra model before the Chinese New Year, so users could use it for festive family photography.
Q3. What are the key camera upgrades in the Xiaomi 17 Ultra?
Answer. The phone features a 50MP 1-inch main camera, a 200MP Leica APO-certified telephoto lens, and a 50MP ultra-wide camera, along with a 50MP selfie camera.
Q4. What other products will debut alongside the Xiaomi 17 Ultra?
Answer. Xiaomi will also launch the Xiaomi Watch 5, featuring EMG and ECG sensors, and the Xiaomi Buds 6, semi-in-ear earbuds with lossless audio and AI-powered smart features.