Xiaomi 17 Ultra Global Launch Set for 2026, Leica Camera Takes Center Stage

Xiaomi has made it official that their upcoming flagship phone, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra, will be globally launched in the year 2026, thus giving the world the chance to experience the device after its introduction in China.

The news was revealed through the Chinese manufacturer's social media accounts, where a teaser picture was posted with the slogan, “All-new Xiaomi flagship, SEE YOU IN 2026.” The post signaled Xiaomi’s ongoing collaboration with Leica Camera AG, thus revealing the company’s commitment to mobile photography with its next premium model.

Xiaomi stated in the teaser that the new device features a high-tech optical system that has the potential to increase smartphone imaging very high and which is a result of the close partnership with Leica. However, the marketing did not name the device directly but later Xu Fei, a senior Xiaomi executive, the vice-president and chief marketing officer of the Xiaomi Group, said that the global launch event would be exclusively for the Xiaomi 17 Ultra.

Xu also posted a video of the Xiaomi 17 Ultra China launch event along with his comment “Many products that are showcased in China will be ready for the international market as well” thus indicating the company’s global strategy extending beyond a single device.

The price at which the Xiaomi 17 Ultra will be sold is not yet known, but it will be available in four different colors — white, black, purple, and a special starry green that has attracted attention because of its soft and finely detailed texture and aesthetics.

The new mobile phone has a 6.9 inches flat screen with slender borders and smooth corners letting the user enjoy a large and uninterrupted view. Xiaomi has chosen to market the camera system of the phone as the main feature.

A 50-megapixel primary camera using a 1-inch sensor designed in partnership with Leica is at the heart of the imaging system. Additionally, a 200-megapixel periscope lens with a 1/1.4-inch sensor is provided which makes it possible to smoothly zoom in and out over a range of focal lengths without any sudden changes in the image or video quality.

Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor powers the Xiaomi 17 Ultra, which is complemented by LPDDR5X RAM and UFS 4.1 storage. All these components are aimed at providing an uninterrupted multitasking experience together with very fast data retrieval.

Battery capacity has become the main feature that grabs people's attention. The Chinese version of the smartphone contains a 6,800mAh battery, which can be charged within 90 minutes using wired charging and in 50 minutes when it comes to wireless charging. The phone also supports reverse charging, with 22.5W through cable and 20W wireless, which means it can be used to charge other wireless accessories and even smartphones.

Nevertheless, Xiaomi has yet to say if the global variant will come with the same battery size. The industry has been quickly to predict that the international version might be slightly less powerful, although global specifications still await confirmation.

We are likely to see more details about the price, availability by region, and final specifications as we approach the global launch window in 2026.