In the run-up to the Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2026 in Barcelona, Xiaomi has taken an ambitious step that forces others to raise the standard of one of the qualities most valued by mobile users: photography. The new Xiaomi 17 series, consisting of the Xiaomi 17 and Xiaomi 17 Ultra modelshas been presented as the brand’s most important leap in image and power in years, and it has been done by a partner that needs no introduction: Leica, the legendary German optics house.
Beyond just another line of premium phones, these new devices are the result of a deep strategic collaboration with Leica that goes far beyond putting a logo on the camera or applying a filter. The alliance with Leica has focused on co-engineering the optical system and bringing a “classic photographic philosophy” to the world of smartphonesprecisely in the year in which the German company celebrates its centenary. Brief historical section.
Originally founded in 1849 as Leitz, it was not until 1925 that Leitz and Cámara merged to form Leica. But a few years earlier, in 1913, a (still) Leitz employee, Oskar Barnack, began working on prototypes of portable cameras. This is how the 35 mm format emerged, more portable than the large-size films and plates popular at the time: it was the birth of photojournalism.
Since then, the German manufacturer has been characterized by avoiding mass manufacturing and finishing all its lenses with hand polishing. The glass used is purchased in consignments only twice a year, to guarantee the same optics in all its products. Lens polishing, the process carried out to control the curvature of the “photographic lens”, is done undergroundto avoid vibrations caused by vehicular traffic, surface works or any other activity that generates oscillations. That’s the level of precision they look for at Leica. End of the historical section. Let’s go with series 17.
The Xiaomi 17 Ultra leads the series as a true “cameraphone”: its main camera incorporates a 1-inch LOFIC sensor, a feature traditionally only found in high-end compact cameras. This large sensor surface allows for more light and detail to be captured, especially in complex situations such as night scenes or high dynamic range. The optics, combined with Leica Summilux lenses and a 200-megapixel telephoto lens with continuous optical zoom, aim to offer quality that rivals dedicated cameras.
Thus, the alliance with Leica is not mere aesthetics. The lenses are designed with digital in mind, with advanced glass treatments and coatings designed to allow light to reach the sensor with the minimum possible distortion, while maintaining color and contrast reproduction that evoke the tradition of analog photography. In video, the 17 Ultra adds Enhanced cinematic capabilities, with recording in Dolby Vision, 8K and ACES Log, which puts creative tools previously reserved for professional filmmakers or videographers in the user’s hands.
While the 17 Ultra is geared towards more ambitious photography, the Xiaomi 17 offers a more compact alternative without sacrificing performance or image quality. Both models are powered by the new Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 platform, a CPU designed to handle intensive AI loadscomputational photography, advanced multitasking and demanding games.
The Xiaomi 17 stands out for its balance between size, battery and power: with a 6.3-inch OLED screen and a battery of more than 6,300 mAh that supports 100W fast charging, it combines ergonomics with performance. Its main camera 50 MP with Light Fusion sensor and a 60 mm Leica telephoto lens It offers a photographic experience that, without reaching the absolute level of the Ultra, is still remarkable for portraits, landscapes and everyday photography.
And finally comes the jewel in the photographic crown: the Leica Leitzphone. In a step in the opposite direction than usual, Xiaomi has not asked Leica to adapt photography to its device: it has created a mobile for a Leica camera.
This device adopts elements that are unusual in modern phones, such as a physical dial around the lens inspired by traditional cameras, evoking the feeling of having a high-end camera in your hands. This ring allows you to adjust actions such as zoom or brightness, emulating gestures typical of classic photographers.
The Leitzphone is not just a nostalgic wink: With its Leica Essential mode and an interface optimized for photography, it is also a declaration of intent about how Xiaomi and Leica want the mobile phone to stop being a gadget. to become a serious creative tool.
To give us an idea: 16 GB of RAM, 1 TB of storage, two 50 MP lenses, one 200 MP (in the 17 series this is a 50 MP one) and a 50 MP selfieall with the last name Leica. A 6000 mAh battery and the same advanced processor from the Qualcomm series.
The interesting thing is that the 17 series does not stop at photography. The entire family integrates Xiaomi Surge batteries, which incorporate a higher percentage of silicon to improve energy density without increasing the thickness of the phone. The result is autonomy greater than 6,000 mAh with fast wired charging (100 W) and wirelessdesigned for users who spend long days in the field, creativity or continuous work without having to worry about plugs.
Custom OLED displays peak at up to 3,500 nits of brightness and They support refresh rates of up to 120 Hz, thanks to LTPO panels that adapt their frequency according to need, which reduces energy consumption without sacrificing fluidity. Prices? Starting at €999 for the 17 series and almost 2,000 euros for the new icon of digital photography, the Leitzphone.