Xiaomi Unveils Flagship Xiaomi 17 Ultra and Expanded Leica Partnership at MWC 2026

Barcelona – February 28, 2026 – Xiaomi launched a range of new products today ahead of Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona, including its flagship camera-focused smartphone, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra, alongside an AirTag-like tracker, the Xiaomi Watch 5 and an ultra-slim power bank. A key announcement was the deepening of Xiaomi’s collaboration with camera maker Leica, extending beyond co-branding to a dedicated Leica Leitzphone.

Xiaomi 17 Ultra: A Camera-Centric Flagship

The Xiaomi 17 Ultra is positioned as a premium smartphone with a strong emphasis on photography. The device features a triple-camera system co-engineered with Leica, utilizing Leica lenses and filters designed to emulate the style of the German camera company. Key camera specifications include:

• Main Sensor: 50-megapixel with an F/1.67 aperture and a 1-inch sensor.
• Telephoto Camera: 200-megapixel with a variable focal length of 75mm-100mm equivalent, offering 3.2x to 4.3x optical zoom.
• Ultrawide Camera: 50-megapixel with an f/2.2 aperture.

The Xiaomi 17 Ultra is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor, the same chip found in the recently launched Galaxy S26 series. It boasts a 6.9-inch Xiaomi HyperRGB OLED display protected by Xiaomi’s Shield Glass 3.0 and is equipped with a 6,000 mAh battery (with a 6,800mAh version available in China). Charging options include 90W USB PD-PPS and 50W Xiaomi Hypercharge wireless technology.

Leica Leitzphone: A Deeper Collaboration

Alongside the Xiaomi 17 Ultra, Xiaomi and Leica unveiled the Leitzphone, representing an even closer partnership than previous collaborations. The Leitzphone features a single-tone body design and incorporates a mechanical zoom ring around the camera unit for controlling settings like zoom, exposure, and shutter speed. The camera interface is designed by Leica, offering an “Essential mode” with monochrome and Leica M9/M3 filter options.

Accessories Enhance the Photography Experience

Xiaomi is likewise releasing two photography-focused accessories for the Xiaomi 17 Ultra:

• Xiaomi 17 Ultra Photography Kit: A Bluetooth-connected snap-on accessory with a two-stage shutter button and video recording button. Priced at €99.99.
• Xiaomi 17 Ultra Photography Kit Pro: A more advanced accessory mimicking a physical camera, featuring a leather finish, video recording button, detachable shutter button, zoom control, and a 2,000 mAh battery. It connects via USB-C and enables a “fastshot mode.” Priced at €199.99.

Additional Launches at MWC 2026

Beyond smartphones, Xiaomi announced several other products:

• Xiaomi Electric Scooter 6 Ultra: Features 1200W peak power, a 75km range, 12-inch all-terrain tires, and a three-inch TFT display. Starting at €329.99, with top versions priced at €799.99.
• Xiaomi Tag: An AirTag-like tracking device compatible with both Apple Discover My and Google Android Find Hub. Weighing 10 grams with a battery life exceeding one year. Priced at €14.9 for one and €49.99 for a pack of four.
• Ultra-Slim Power Bank: A 6mm-thick, 98-gram power bank with a 5,000 mAh battery capacity, offering 22.5W wired and 15W wireless charging. Available in black and silver for €59.99, and orange for €64.99.
• Xiaomi Watch 5: Equipped with a 930mAh battery for up to six days of use, a 1.54-inch AMOLED display, and gesture control. It can generate a health report within 60 seconds, analyzing heart rate, blood oxygen, stress levels, sleep duration, and more. Priced at €299.99.
• Redmi Buds 8 Pro: Earbuds featuring active noise cancellation and up to 33 hours of battery life. Priced at €69.9.

Pricing and Availability

The Xiaomi 17 starts at €999, while the Xiaomi 17 Ultra begins at €1,499. The Leica edition of the Xiaomi 17 Ultra, featuring 16GB of RAM and 1TB of storage, is priced at €1,999. These devices are now available in the EU and the UK.