Ahead of the Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona, Xiaomi has unveiled a massive expansion of its hardware ecosystem. The global launch includes the flagship Xiaomi 17 Ultra smartphone, a competitor to Apple’s AirTag, the Xiaomi Watch 5, and an ultra-slim magnetic power bank.
Xiaomi 17 Ultra: A Leica-Powered Photography Powerhouse
The Xiaomi 17 Ultra arrives as a direct collaboration with Leica, featuring high-end lenses and exclusive software filters designed to replicate the aesthetic of classic German cameras. The device is built around a 50-megapixel main sensor with a 1-inch sensor size and an F/1.67 aperture.
The standout feature is the 200-megapixel telephoto camera, offering a variable focal length equivalent to 75mm to 100mm, providing optical zoom between 3.2x and 4.3x. Rounding out the optics is a 50MP ultrawide lens with an f/2.2 aperture. Under the hood, the phone is powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor, paired with a 6.9-inch HyperRGB OLED display protected by Shield Glass 3.0.
To celebrate Leica’s centenary, a special edition of the 17 Ultra features a durable nickel-anodized aluminum-alloy body and a rotating ring that mimics physical camera zoom controls. It also includes “Leica Essential mode,” offering filters styled after the Leica M9 and M3.
Professional Photography Kits and Battery Specs
Xiaomi is positioning the 17 Ultra for serious photographers with two dedicated add-ons. The “Photography Kit” uses a Bluetooth connection with a two-stage shutter, while the “Photography Kit Pro” offers a leather-finished grip, physical zoom controls, and a dedicated 2,000 mAh battery to support a new “fastshot” mode.
The standard Xiaomi 17 Ultra comes with a 6,000 mAh battery (6,800 mAh in the Chinese version), supporting 90W wired charging and 50W wireless Hypercharge. The base Xiaomi 17 model features a larger 6,330 mAh battery with 100W charging capabilities.
Expanding the Ecosystem: Scooters, Tags, and Power
Beyond smartphones, Xiaomi introduced the Electric Scooter 6 Ultra, boasting 1200W peak power and a 75km range, priced between €329.99 and €799.99 depending on the variant.
The new “Xiaomi Tag” enters the tracker market with support for both Apple Find My and Google Android Find Hub. Weighing only 10 grams, it features a user-replaceable button cell battery that lasts over a year, priced at €14.90 for one or €49.99 for a four-pack.
Mobile power needs are addressed by a new 6mm-thick magnetic power bank. It offers 5,000 mAh capacity, 22.5W wired charging, and 15W wireless charging, starting at €59.99.
Wearables and Audio
The Xiaomi Watch 5 features a 1.54-inch AMOLED display and a 930 mAh battery rated for six days of use. It includes a 60-second health report feature tracking blood oxygen, stress, and sleep metrics, priced at €299.99. Additionally, the company launched the Redmi Buds 8 Pro, priced at €69.90, offering active noise cancellation and 33 hours of battery life.
Pricing and Availability: The Xiaomi 17 starts at €999, while the 17 Ultra begins at €1,499. The limited Leica edition is priced at €1,999. The photography kits are available for €99.99 and €199.99, respectively.