Xiaomi 17 Ultra Review: A Balancing Act

Value When Reviewed

Unavailable within the US

Finest Costs In the present day: Xiaomi 17 Extremely

Xiaomi’s flagship vary of telephones is right here and, though we don’t get the flowery Professional fashions with a rear show within the West, the Extremely as soon as once more goals to be one of the best digicam cellphone available on the market.

The gadget launches in a barely totally different format this yr, with each an Extremely and a brand new mannequin known as the ‘Leica Leitzphone powered by Xiaomi’. The latter is an excellent higher-end handset, leaving the 17 Extremely as a extra ‘commonplace’ Extremely choice.

The Xiaomi 17 Extremely remains to be co-developed with Leica and is likely one of the most important alternate options to the likes of the Samsung Galaxy S26 Extremely, Google Pixel 10 Professional XL and Oppo Discover X9 Extremely.

Design & Construct

• Much less digicam, extra cellphone
• New colors
• Thinner and lighter

Whereas the Xiaomi 17 Extremely has a well-recognized feel and appear to its predecessors, there are delicate adjustments that make it really feel extra like a daily cellphone and fewer like a digicam – primarily the transfer to flat sides and again.

There’s additionally no vegan leather-based on the again and no colored ring highlighting the (nonetheless big) digicam module. The colourways are additionally extra in step with wider market tendencies and I fairly just like the Starlit Inexperienced mannequin I’ve – with a classy, not tacky, glittery end.

By the way in which, final yr’s mannequin was the 15 Extremely, as Xiaomi skipped 16 so as to match the iPhone technology quantity and seem extra present.

It’s additionally thinner and lighter than the 15 Extremely at 8.4mm (over 1mm thinner) and 218.4g (or 219g when you go for the inexperienced color choice), in comparison with virtually 230g.

Different delicate adjustments embrace new quantity buttons, that are separate and spherical. I wasn’t so certain about these at first, however I received used to them rapidly.

There’s not a lot else to speak about when it comes to standout design options – primarily simply its supplies and IP68/69 ranking.

Like many telephones, the body is aluminium, however as an alternative of a glass again, it’s constituted of composite fibreglass, which Xiaomi says is drop-proof. It feels good to the contact, however the cellphone sounds a bit low cost and hole when you faucet the again together with your finger.

It’s maybe a little bit curious that Xiaomi hasn’t added some other buttons to the gadget, when so many rivals have some form of fast setting button or digicam button, or each. I assume that is to make you extra seemingly to purchase one of many images kits (extra on these later).

Display & Audio system

• Flat 6.9-inch show
• Brighter however a decrease decision
• Superior audio

The display on the Xiaomi 17 Extremely is just like its predecessors, however there are a couple of key variations.

After two generations of the ‘All Round Liquid Show’, Xiaomi has switched to a extra conventional flat panel. It is a disgrace as I actually appreciated one of the best of each worlds expertise of the earlier fashions – a flat panel with curved glass on prime.

However, the 17 Extremely’s display stays spectacular when you like large, daring panels. It’s even bigger at 6.9-inch, even brighter at a peak of 3500 nits and it’s coated in new Xiaomi Defend Glass 3.0.

It additionally retains options such because the 1-120Hz refresh fee, 12bit color depth and each HDR10+ and Dolby Imaginative and prescient assist. There’s a slight drop in decision to 2608 x 1200, however it’s nonetheless crisp sufficient for my liking at 416ppi. For those who should have a QHD+ display, this might be a deal-breaker.

For me, the Xiaomi 17 Extremely is a strong all-rounder on this space. It’s nothing particular (it may well’t examine to the S26 Extremely’s Privateness Show), however it does the job and that decrease decision is probably going serving to with the superb battery life – extra on that later. If large and daring is what you need, that is it.

Elsewhere on this space, the ultrasonic fingerprint scanner works very effectively certainly and the face scanning is serviceable too if that’s one thing you favor (though it’s best to keep in mind that it’s much less safe).

Stereo audio system – the standard setup of 1 subsequent to the USB port and the opposite utilizing the earpiece – are as soon as once more wonderful, providing clear and crisp audio with a wealthy tone even at increased quantity ranges.

There’s a touch of distortion when you push it proper to the highest, however you shouldn’t have to transcend round 75%, in my expertise. There’s additionally nonetheless assist for each Hello-Res and Hello-Res Audio Wi-fi, together with Dolby Atmos, which is the default audio mode.

Dive deeper and there are options equivalent to a graphic equaliser and immersive sound mode, though I discovered the latter made music sound worse, giving it a compelled and harsh tone.

Specs & Efficiency

• Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5
• As much as 16GB/1TB
• High-notch wi-fi

As you’d anticipate from a high-end flagship cellphone costing effectively over £1,000, the 17 Extremely comes with some critical specs beneath the hood.

This begins with Qualcomm’s most up-to-date flagship processor, the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, backed up by a really wholesome 16GB of RAM. When it comes to storage, you get at the very least 512GB or you possibly can double as much as 1TB when you’re completely happy to pay an additional £200.

Both means, you get speedy UFS 4.1 storage once more and I’ve nothing unfavorable to say concerning the efficiency of this cellphone. It handles every thing easily and I’ve not discovered any duties that trigger it to decelerate even a little bit.

In addition to these new elements, the cellphone has an upgraded cooling system – the Xiaomi 3D Twin-Channel IceLoop system. Fancy title apart, the agency has tailored the vapour chamber to extend thermal conductivity by 50% in comparison with its predecessor and it appears to work a deal with.

Xiaomi 17 Extremely benchmarks

Shifting on from efficiency and looking out on the different specs and options on supply, Xiaomi actually spares no expense. You get all the most recent requirements, together with Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6.0, NFC, dual-band GPS and dual-SIM, with choices starting from two nano-SIM playing cards to 2 eSIMs (5G in fact).

A secret weapon Xiaomi continues to supply, which just about all rivals don’t, is an infrared port. It was commonplace within the earlier days of smartphones, however most manufacturers dropped it a few years in the past.

It means the cellphone can act as a distant management in your TV, in addition to many different devices across the house. It’s straightforward to arrange and an actual boon if, like me, you will have a chaotic family the place the bodily remotes are sometimes lacking (hidden by a toddler).

Cameras

• One much less digicam on the rear
• Nonetheless spectacular tech and efficiency
• Some minor quibbles

A look on the 17 Extremely’s spec sheet may make it appear to have been downgraded from its predecessor, with solely three cameras on the rear versus the 4 on the 15 Extremely. Nevertheless, it’s not so simple as extra being higher.

This yr, Xiaomi has reengineered the way in which it handles the telephoto aspect of issues. So alongside 50Mp most important and ultrawide cameras, there’s a brand new 200Mp (1/1.4-inch) periscope telephoto shooter.

That’s the identical megapixel sensor as earlier than, however there’s a key distinction: this cellphone has a brand new mechanical optical zoom system. Inside, a small set of lenses bodily transfer as you regulate the zoom degree, as you’ll on a correct zoom lens connected to a DSLR.

It means you get extra optical zoom on the identical sensor moderately than switching between two totally different telephoto cameras. The vary is proscribed to three.2-4.3x (or 75-100mm equal), however the giant sensor additionally means you possibly can crop with out dramatically dropping high quality. The app offers you an 8.6x (200mm) choice, which you’ll be able to faucet once more to go to 400mm.

Beginning with the ultrawide – to get it out the way in which – it’s first rate as you’ll anticipate at this value. The 50Mp sensor takes good high quality photographs with minimal distortion whenever you wish to get tons extra into the shot. As regular, its efficiency dips in decrease mild, so it’s finest used in the course of the day.

The principle digicam additionally stays at 50Mp however sticks with an enormous 1-inch Gentle Fusion 1050L sensor, quick f/1.67 aperture and OIS. It’s barely totally different to the 15 Extremely however nonetheless an absolute beast with the power to pump out beautiful images in all conditions, with dynamic vary in low mild a specific spotlight.

I feel largely the samples (even resized for net) converse for themselves and that goes for the brand new periscope telephoto digicam too. As talked about, that is now one telephoto moderately than two, because of some new transferring elements backed by a 200Mp Samsung HPE sensor.

The equal vary is 75-100ml, which isn’t that totally different, however the big sensor means you possibly can crop for longer vary zooms and nonetheless get good high quality outcomes. If you would like true optical zoom at 5x or 10x, you’ll have to look elsewhere, however once more, the outcomes are spectacular – notably examine those I took at gigs in very difficult circumstances.

On the entrance, the selfie digicam is upgraded to 50Mp and takes nice photographs. I notably get pleasure from the way in which it mechanically switches to 0.8x once I’m attempting to suit extra in.

Shifting on to software program and the Xiaomi digicam app is much more difficult than the likes of iPhone or Pixel, however that’s to be anticipated with all this equipment co-engineered with Leica. However equally, you possibly can ignore the Professional mode and choices like UltraRAW and LOG codecs if these imply nothing to you.

Everybody has a simple method to change between the Leica Genuine and Vibrant profiles, relying on whether or not you need extra true-to-life outcomes or bolder, popping color (see the distinction beneath). The button is within the prime nook, making it straightforward to cut and alter as you shoot.

Regardless of an overwhelmingly constructive expertise, there are some caveats to say right here, beginning with the way in which the digicam rattles whenever you’re simply carrying the cellphone round. That is regular (it’s not damaged), however it’s far more noticeable than each different cellphone I’ve skilled it on.

That’s simpler to stay with than my finger often getting in the way in which of photographs. With such a giant cellphone, it is smart to make use of the digicam bump as someplace to relaxation your finger and assist the gadget, however the primary and ultrawide sensors are positioned near this fringe of the module.

It means you get a blurry finger far too typically, leading to a irritating quantity of retakes or cropping later.

Pictures Kits

For years, Xiaomi has been providing a images equipment with its Extremely cellphone and this yr there are two to select from – a daily mannequin and a professional choice.

I’ve been testing the common one, which is available in at £99 and is successfully a case you connect which gives a extra camera-like model, together with vegan leather-based lacking from all colourways of the cellphone itself, in addition to a digicam grip and two buttons.

There’s a two-stage shutter button and one to launch video mode and begin recording. It’s okay, however I’d suggest upgrading to the Professional equipment when you’re critical about it, which I’ve liked on the earlier two generations.

It’s £179, however that’s price it as this common mannequin has a couple of flaws. The 2-stage button has barely any distinction between the steps, making it troublesome to make use of; it has an ungainly proprietary charger and connects to the cellphone through Bluetooth, that means it’s not immediately out there just like the Professional equipment, nor in a position to cost the cellphone like an influence financial institution.

Battery Life & Charging

• 6000mAh battery
• Comfy two-day utilization
• 90/50W wired and wi-fi speeds

It’s not shocking that the 17 Extremely is a strong performer in the case of stamina and charging.

Xiaomi has elevated the battery capability to 6000mAh (at the very least when in comparison with the worldwide 15 Extremely, which was 5410mAh), and in my testing, it lasted for 48+ hours of use with relative ease, typically going additional earlier than I wanted to cost. I’m not a giant cellular gamer, although, so anticipate much less when you’re going to be pulling the set off on the common.

A results of 21 hours and 27 minutes in our regular PCMark battery benchmark is likely one of the prime outcomes we’ve seen from a cellphone.

On the subject of charging, the cellphone as soon as once more provides very quick 90W wired speeds. You don’t get a charger within the field, in fact, however in case you have a suitable one, you may get a whopping 75% cost in simply half-hour.

Wi-fi charging is much less spectacular in comparison with the 15 Extremely, dropping from 80- to 50W, however in all honesty, 50W is the quickest wi-fi charger I’ve anyway and it’s lots quick sufficient.

You can too reverse cost to prime up different units at 22.5W wired and 10W wi-fi.

The principle disappointment is that there are not any Qi2 magnets right here, which we thought flagship telephones in 2026 would virtually definitely supply, following the Pixel 10 vary final yr.

Nevertheless, that’s not the case, with even the Galaxy S26 vary omitting MagSafe-style tech. Additionally, be aware that you would be able to’t use wi-fi charging in case you have both of the images kits connected.

Software program & Apps

• HyperOS 3 based mostly on Android 16
• HyperIsland and HyperAI
• Improved software program assist

One other yr, one other OS model – so, with the 17 Extremely, you get Android 16 with Xiaomi’s newest overlay in HyperOS 3.

Now three variations in, HyperOS feels far much less like a easy rebranding of the older MIUI and really a lot its personal factor. And I imply that in a great way. MIUI was one thing of a messy consumer expertise, however HyperOS 3 is way extra polished and easy.

Maybe it’s partly as a result of I’ve been testing Xiaomi telephones for thus a few years, however I additionally suppose anybody new to the UI would be capable to discover their means round pretty rapidly. HyperOS 3 takes inspiration from varied facets of iOS whereas providing what makes Android nice.

You continue to get the cut up notification and fast settings panels – each of which I fairly like – and Xiaomi has even borrowed Apple’s Dynamic Island function and made it into HyperIsland. This provides you some info across the front-facing digicam when utilizing sure apps (I discovered it notably helpful on the airport), in addition to a shortcut to open these apps. Sure, it’s a replica, however it’s not one I’m complaining about.

Total, issues are simply cleaner and whereas there’s bloatware, it’s not almost as unhealthy because it was. The best way I arrange the cellphone, they’re neatly stashed in a folder known as ‘extra apps’, from which you’ll be able to rapidly delete any you don’t need. Xiaomi nonetheless gives loads of Google duplicates I didn’t want, like Mi Browser, however there are additionally helpful system apps which I do like.

Those that wish to tinker can customise to their coronary heart’s content material with personalisation choices from whole themes to particular tweaks such because the font and icons. A lot of it I like, however it’s irritating to seek out, for instance, a lockscreen template I actually like, however the technique for switching adverts off is buried deep within the settings.

As you’d anticipate, there are many AI options out there beneath the banner of HyperAI. As soon as once more, I’m not overly impressed right here as a lot of it’s hidden away within the settings, switched off with little signposting. For my private wants, built-in Google Gemini provides greater than sufficient AI.

On a extra constructive be aware, Xiaomi provides a strong five-year OS assist promise, in addition to six years of safety updates. It’s not fairly so long as some rivals, however it’s a yr greater than the 15 Extremely on the OS entrance.

Value & Availability

It’s uncommon in 2026 to be writing a few cellphone that hasn’t modified value, however that’s the case for the Xiaomi 17 Extremely. It sticks at £1,299 similar to the 15 Extremely, and this will get you a good 16/512GB mannequin.

If you would like the mannequin with 1TB of storage, that can set you again £1,499. And that Leica Leitzphone powered by Xiaomi mannequin I talked about earlier is a whopping £1,699.

If you would like one of many images kits, you’ll have to pay an extra £99 for the common model and £179 for the Pictures Equipment Professional.

You should buy the 17 Extremely from Xiaomi with varied provides, together with a free 90W quick charger on the time of writing, or head to retailers like Amazon, however it’s not extensively out there. As regular, it’s not formally on sale within the US, so that you’d should import it.

Naturally, the worth places it on the prime finish of the cellphone market, the place it has to compete with the likes of the Galaxy S26 Extremely evaluation, Pixel 10 Professional XL, iPhone 17 Professional Max and extra.

Do you have to purchase the Xiaomi 17 Extremely?

Each technology, I appear to get pleasure from Xiaomi’s Extremely effort for various causes, however I’m glad the agency isn’t, like some rivals, simply pumping out the identical gadget yr after yr.

For the 17 Extremely, the foremost change is a extra acquainted phone-style design, with flat sides and a fibreglass again, moderately than the camera- model with vegan leather-based again. I’d wish to see each out there as choices, as per final yr, however the Starlit Inexperienced mannequin I’ve appears good and isn’t merely orange as a result of an iPhone is.

So long as you just like the design right here, the 17 Extremely ticks all of the packing containers you’d anticipate for a top-tier flagship: it has a blinding display, silky easy efficiency, the most recent wi-fi elements, extras like an IR blaster you don’t discover elsewhere, and among the finest digicam techniques in any cellphone proper now. And that’s with out factoring within the elective images kits, which, in comparison with the likes of Samsung and Google, remains to be its secret weapon.

Xiaomi has even stored the worth the identical as its predecessor, the 15 Extremely, which bucks the 2026 pattern. Even so, in case your coronary heart isn’t set on an virtually 7-inch cellphone with DSLR-like cameras, you may get related efficiency for lots much less cash – the common Xiaomi 17 being a chief instance.

These wanting all of the extras gained’t be disillusioned with the Xiaomi 17 Extremely, although.

Specs

• Android 16 w/ HyperOS 3.0
• 6.9-inch Xiaomi HyperRGB OLED show, 1-120Hz show, 300Hz contact sampling, Dolby Imaginative and prescient, HDR10+
• In-display ultrasonic fingerprint sensor
• Xiaomi Defend 3.0 glass entrance
• Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5
• 16GB RAM LPDDR5X
• 512GB/1TB UFS 4.1 non-expandable storage
• 50Mp, f/1.67 most important digicam with OIS
• 50Mp, f/2.2 ultrawide digicam
• 200Mp, f/2.39-2.96 periscope telephoto, 3.2-4.3x with OIS
• 50Mp, f/2.2 front-facing digicam
• Twin audio system with Dolby Atmos
• Hello-Res & Hello-Res Audio Wi-fi certification
• 5G
• WiFi 7
• Bluetooth 6.0
• USB-C port
• IR blaster
• NFC
• Twin-SIM (inc eSIM)
• 6000mAh battery
• 90W quick charging
• 50W wi-fi charging
• Reverse wi-fi charging
• IP68
• 162.9 x 77.6 x 8.29mm
• 218.4g (Black and White) / 219g (Starlit Inexperienced)
• Launch colors: Black, White, Starlit Inexperienced