Xiaomi’s new photography-focused flagship, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra, is poised to enter the smartphone world with unprecedented camera capabilities. Leaked details reveal that the device will stand out from its competitors not only with its high megapixel count but also with its “continuous optical zoom” technology, a true engineering marvel.
Lossless Optical Zoom and Leica APO Technology!
Traditional flagships use multiple fixed lenses for different zoom levels. However, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra breaks this rule with its Leica 200 MP Continuous Optical Zoom system.
True Optical Movement: Interface images shared on Weibo show that the device can zoom between 3x and 4.3x (70mm – 100mm) without digital loss, using the physical movement of the lenses. Flexibility: This ensures optical clarity at every point between 70mm and 100mm, instead of digital magnification. This technology, which Sony tested in its Xperia series, is expected to deliver unparalleled performance when combined with Xiaomi’s massive 200 MP ISOCELL HPE sensor.
The collaboration between Xiaomi and Leica has evolved into a “Strategic Partner Design” model with the 17 Ultra. The device’s telephoto lens will be the industry’s first Leica APO (Apochromatic) certified lens.
- No More Color Aberrations: APO technology brings the three primary colors of light (red, green, blue) to the same focal point, eliminating those annoying color aberrations that occur, especially in high-contrast shots.
- Night and Macro Performance: This lens structure makes not only distant objects but also night shots and macro details much clearer.
The Xiaomi 17 Ultra will make a statement not only with its zoom capabilities but also with its entire camera setup:
- Main Camera: A new generation 1-inch 50 MP OmniVision OV50X sensor with increased light sensitivity, specially developed for mobile devices.
- Wide Angle: 50 MP ultra-wide-angle lens.
- Performance: Powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor, the device will come with HyperOS 3 based on Android 16.
The Xiaomi 17 Ultra is expected to be officially unveiled in China this week (December 25th or 26th). For the global launch, all eyes are on the MWC (Mobile World Congress) event in February 2026.
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