Danny Weber
12:48 05-12-2025
Real-world photos show the Xiaomi 17 Ultra with a Leica camera revamp: 200MP telephoto and variable optical zoom. IMEI listing points to a global release.
The first real-world evidence backing earlier leaks about the Xiaomi 17 Ultra has surfaced: eyewitness photos from China show what appears to be a test unit. The handset was spotted with an employee or tester, and the images quickly rippled across social platforms. Even under a chunky protective case that masks the body’s lines, the Leica camera module stands out — and it’s exactly what set off the most discussion.
The photo indicates Xiaomi has indeed reworked the camera setup. Instead of the four modules used in the previous generation, the new Xiaomi 17 Ultra features a triple system. Anchoring the top of the circular camera island is a large 200-megapixel telephoto lens, the centerpiece of the layout. Two additional modules sit below, with a pair of compact LEDs and extra sensors alongside. The arrangement mirrors design elements previously found in HyperOS code, which lends the leak added credibility.
Insiders suggest the new periscope module could function as a true variable optical-zoom camera, though there’s no official confirmation yet. Still, the very fact that Xiaomi is experimenting with more complex focal-length systems is already drawing keen interest from users and mobile photography enthusiasts.
It also looks like the device is headed beyond the domestic market. A global version of the Xiaomi 17 Ultra appeared in the IMEI database under the number 2512BPNDAG, pointing to official plans for an international release. The phone is expected to debut in China in December, with a worldwide presentation anticipated in spring 2026, in line with Xiaomi’s usual Ultra cadence.