Xiaomi 17 Ultra Leica Adds Rotating Camera Zoom Ring
Key Takeaways:
- The Xiaomi 17 Ultra Leica edition introduces a physical, rotatable zoom ring built into the camera island.
- It pairs a single 200MP periscope telephoto with continuous optical zoom (around 3.2x–4.3x) and a 50MP 1-inch main sensor.
- The Leica model adds branding and software touches — red-dot logo, film simulations, reprogrammable ring, and branded accessories.
- Hardware otherwise matches the standard 17 Ultra: Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, up to 1TB storage, 16GB RAM, 6.9" OLED, 6,800mAh battery.
What’s new in the Leica edition
Xiaomi has launched a Leica-branded variant of the 17 Ultra that swaps the gimmicky secondary rear display for a functional camera control: a mechanical zoom ring built into the camera island. The rotating ring gives photographers tactile control over zoom and can be reassigned to adjust exposure or focus.
The Leica edition also debuts Leica’s small red-dot logo and a textured side finish. Xiaomi bundles some physical extras for this model — a branded lens cap and a cleaning cloth — and adds Leica-branded software film simulations.
Camera hardware and zoom tech
The 17 Ultra keeps Xiaomi’s focus on camera capability. The main shooter is a 50MP 1-inch-type sensor with an f/1.7 aperture. Selfie and ultrawide modules are likewise high-resolution.
The telephoto system is the standout change. Instead of multiple discrete zoom lenses, the phone uses a single 200MP periscope camera that provides continuous optical zoom in the roughly 3.2x to 4.3x range. The physical zoom ring complements that system by offering precise, manual control.
Why that matters
Continuous optical zoom paired with tactile control reduces dependence on digital cropping at common telephoto distances. For users who prioritize framing and gradual focal-length adjustments, the ring should feel more intuitive than software-only controls.
Performance and battery
Under the hood, the 17 Ultra by Leica mirrors the regular model. It’s powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 and can be configured with up to 16GB of RAM and 1TB of storage. The display is a large 6.9-inch OLED.
Battery capacity is substantial at 6,800mAh featuring Xiaomi’s silicon-carbon design. Xiaomi presented the Leica edition during the Christmas period, positioning it as the top-end variant of the 17 Ultra family.
What Xiaomi didn’t change
Beyond the Leica-specific cosmetics, accessories and the rotatable ring, the phone’s core hardware and camera sensors remain the same as the standard 17 Ultra. Xiaomi hasn’t released global pricing or detailed regional availability in the supplied briefing.
Bottom line
The 17 Ultra Leica edition is a niche but useful variant for photography enthusiasts who want a physical control for zoom plus Leica-styled software and accessories. It combines Xiaomi’s large-sensor photography ambitions with a new, tactile interface on the camera island.
