Xiaomi has officially unveiled the Xiaomi 17 and Xiaomi 17 Ultra, marking the global debut of its latest flagship smartphone series. The announcement took place on February 28, 2026, during a high-profile event at Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona, Spain.
The Xiaomi 17 series, which initially launched in China in late 2025 (with the standard models in September and the Ultra variant following in December), is now rolling out to international markets, including most of Europe and the UK. Powered by Qualcomm’s cutting-edge Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor, the devices promise top-tier performance, enhanced AI capabilities, and exceptional battery life.
Xiaomi 17: Compact Powerhouse
The base model, Xiaomi 17, targets users who prefer a more compact flagship without compromising on endurance. It features a 6.3-inch LTPO OLED display with smooth 120Hz refresh rates and vibrant visuals. The phone packs a massive 6,330mAh silicon-carbon battery—among the largest in its size category—supporting 100W HyperCharge fast wired charging.
Camera-wise, it includes a versatile Leica-tuned triple rear setup led by a 50-megapixel main sensor, delivering strong performance in various lighting conditions. Storage options include up to 16GB RAM and 512GB internal storage.
Pricing starts at €999 (approximately £899 in the UK), positioning it as a competitive alternative to devices like the iPhone 17 and Samsung Galaxy S26 series.
Xiaomi 17 Ultra: Photography-Focused Beast
The standout of the lineup is the Xiaomi 17 Ultra, designed for photography enthusiasts and power users. It boasts a larger 6.9-inch OLED display (also with 120Hz refresh and peak brightness up to 3,500 nits) and remains impressively slim at just 8.29mm thick, weighing around 218-219g depending on the color variant.
The highlight is its advanced Leica-branded quad-camera system:
- 50MP main sensor with a large 1-inch type for superior low-light performance and detail.
- 200MP periscope telephoto lens offering significant optical zoom (up to 4.3x native, with claims of “optical-level” quality extending further).
- 50MP ultra-wide lens.
- Additional 50MP front camera for selfies.
It supports high-end video recording, including 8K at 30fps, 4K Dolby Vision at up to 120fps, and Log video modes. The battery capacity stands at 6,000mAh, backed by 90W wired and 50W wireless HyperCharge.
Available configurations go up to 16GB RAM and 1TB storage, with a special Leica Leitz Phone edition in select markets featuring premium finishes. Pricing begins at €1,499 (around £1,299 in the UK), with higher-end variants reaching up to €1,999.
Additional Ecosystem Launches
Alongside the phones, Xiaomi expanded its ecosystem with new accessories unveiled at the event:
- Xiaomi Watch 5 (a new Wear OS smartwatch).
- Xiaomi Tag (an AirTag competitor for tracking items).
- Redmi Buds 8 Pro.
- An ultra-slim power bank and other peripherals.
Availability for the Xiaomi 17 and 17 Ultra begins in early March 2026 in supported regions, with pre-orders and promotions (such as launch discounts and bundles) already live on Xiaomi’s official sites in various markets.
This launch solidifies Xiaomi’s push into the premium segment, emphasizing imaging innovation, battery endurance, and competitive pricing against established rivals. Early hands-on impressions highlight the Ultra’s camera prowess as a potential game-changer for mobile photography.
