Xiaomi 17 Ultra In-Depth Review: Continuous Optical Zoom + APO Triplet Lens—Has the Phone of the Year Arrived Early?
To everyone's surprise, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra has arrived much earlier than anticipated.
As the pinnacle of Xiaomi's imaging-focused lineup, each Ultra generation introduces unique technologies or hardware. The new Xiaomi 17 Ultra is no exception. It serves as a grand finale for Xiaomi's 2025 imaging roadmap while also setting the stage for the mobile photography competition of 2026.
Without further ado, let's dive into the imaging experience of the Xiaomi 17 Ultra.
Continuous Optical Zoom: A New Solution for Mobile Imaging
The evolution of flagship camera phones in recent years can be summarized as a shift from prioritizing hardware to focusing on the user experience. Xiaomi, known for its powerful hardware specifications, has introduced a groundbreaking continuous optical zoom technology on the 17 Ultra. While 'optical zoom' isn't a new term, adding 'continuous' makes it a significant advancement. Current phones use multiple lenses with fixed focal lengths (e.g., 14mm, 23mm, 70mm, 100mm), and any focal length in between is achieved by digitally cropping, which degrades image quality. The Xiaomi 17 Ultra addresses this by enabling true, seamless optical zoom across the highly practical 75mm to 100mm range.
This means that within this range, users can select any magnification without perceptible loss of quality at normal viewing sizes. As seen in the sample shots below (from top to bottom: 75mm, 85mm, 90mm, and 100mm), the clarity, detail, and resolution remain remarkably consistent. Beyond this innovative zoom, the telephoto lens has two other major upgrades: a three-lens group and the smartphone market's first-ever 'triplet APO apochromatic' structure. These enhancements significantly elevate the telephoto performance, delivering exceptionally clean and pure images by virtually eliminating chromatic aberration (purple/green fringing) and highlight blooming, resulting in a more natural three-dimensional feel.
Ultra-level Main Camera, Ultra-level Image Quality
The main camera of the Xiaomi 17 Ultra, officially named the 'Light Hunter 1050L', introduces another industry-first technology: LOFIC for ultra-high dynamic range. This feature enhances dynamic range at the hardware level, allowing the sensor to accurately capture highlight and shadow details in high-contrast scenes without overexposure or crushed blacks. The result is images with light and shadow transitions that are more true to life, even rivaling some APS-C cameras. In night scenes, the phone excels at controlling highlights while preserving rich detail in the dark areas. Furthermore, LOFIC technology enables superior action photography by allowing for faster shutter speeds, effectively freezing motion and minimizing blur, as demonstrated by its ability to capture a fast-moving soccer ball with perfect clarity.
Xiaomi has also improved usability with new software features. A 'Smart Scene' mode automatically suggests optimal settings for subjects like silhouettes, stages, and fireworks. For professionals and enthusiasts, the gallery app now allows users to copy and paste a full set of editing parameters from one photo to another, streamlining the post-processing workflow. Finally, you can use voice commands to have the built-in AI assistant automatically adjust your photos.
Familiar Design with a Welcome Change: The Flat Screen
In terms of design, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra maintains the familiar large, circular 'Oreo' camera module on the back, with a similar level of protrusion as its predecessors. However, this generation opts for more mainstream solid colors, which may be a step back for those who appreciated the two-tone, Leica-inspired design of the past. The biggest change is on the front: the Xiaomi 17 Ultra now features a 6.9-inch flat screen with quad-equal bezels, a peak brightness of 3500 nits, and a 120Hz refresh rate. This move to a flat display is a significant improvement in practicality, offering easier screen protector application and better drop resistance compared to curved screens. A subtle but nice touch is the small, round volume and power buttons, inspired by vintage Leica cameras.
Under the hood, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra is powered by the flagship 5th Gen Snapdragon 8 processor, built on TSMC's latest N3P process. The battery capacity has been increased to an impressive 6800mAh from the previous 6100mAh, supported by 90W wired and 50W wireless fast charging. While not the absolute largest battery on the market, it's a very strong offering for an imaging-focused flagship.
Conclusion: A Flagship Both Simple and Professional
The Xiaomi 17 Ultra is a triumph in mobile imaging. Its strengths are clear: the innovative concept of continuous optical zoom, significantly improved performance in high-contrast and night scenes, a distinctive Leica and film-like color science, and more intuitive post-editing tools. The only minor drawback is the move to more conventional color options. Ultimately, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra demonstrates a new level of photographic understanding, blending professional-grade hardware with user-friendly software. It's a top-tier flagship that excels in every area—camera, performance, and display—setting a formidable benchmark for the competition and further cementing the successful partnership between Xiaomi and Leica.
