I tested the Xiaomi 17 Ultra camera and I don’t think I’ll ever go back to an iPhone

When it comes to premium phones, the word “Ultra” has started to lose its meaning. All brands throw it around, but very few deliver something that feels… ultra. Take the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, for example. A solid phone, sure, but fun? Not really. And that’s the biggest problem with the American market right now. Some of the most interesting Android flags don’t come here.

Meanwhile, brands like Vivo, Oppo, and Honor are quietly pushing smartphone cameras into a space that feels closer to dedicated cameras than ever before. Then there is the Xiaomi 17 Ultra. After using it for a few weeks, one thing is clear: this is not just a good camera phone. A camera that happens to be a phone. And honestly, it feels like a modern revival of the Samsung Galaxy Camera.

If this thing is officially launched in the US, it will shake things up in a big way.

Spec Sheet Flex, But Make It Real

The Xiaomi 17 Ultra doesn’t just show a sheet of paper – it pops. You’re looking at a triple Leica camera setup led by a 50MP 1-inch Light Fusion 1050L sensor with f/1.67 aperture and LOFIC HDR, which is a fancy way of saying it handles highlights and shadows like a champ. And then there’s the real party trick: a 200MP periscope telephoto (Samsung HP9, 1/1.4″) with continuous visible zoom from 75mm to 100mm (about 3.2x to 4.3x), which extends all the way to a wild 400mm in-sen equivalent.

Rounding things out is a 50MP ultrawide with a 115° field of view and massive support, and a surprisingly sensitive 50MP autofocus selfie camera on the front. And yes, it captures 8K at 30fps and 4K at 120fps with Dolby Vision and ACES Log, which is as close as the phone says, “Yes, I can do cinema.” Additionally, there are Leica optics and color tuning on all lenses. In fact, that Leica partnership isn’t just about branding. It is reflected in the way images look, feel, and behave.

The Drama of Daylight, Eliminates the Drama

Let’s start with daytime shots, because that’s where most phones already do well. The Xiaomi 17 Ultra does better. Images are sharp, detailed, and rich without looking artificially processed. You get two main profiles: Leica Authentic and Leica Vibrant. I’ve found myself leaning on Vibrant more often, and here’s the thing: it doesn’t last.

The colors are bright, but not loud. Greens look healthier without turning neon, blues remain controlled, and overall contrast feels more… on purpose.

Honestly, it’s a refreshing break from the overly sharp, over-processed look that other flagships lean towards. Moreover, HDR performance is another highlight. Even in tricky lighting, the phone balances highlights and shadows well, without flattening the scene.

A Zoom Game That Actually Feels Like a Camera

This is where things start to get really interesting. The combination of multiple lenses and a continuous optical zoom system means you don’t just jump between fixed focal lengths. You’re actually working with something that feels closer to a real camera lens. From 1x to 2x, 3.2x, and beyond, the results remain incredibly sharp. Colors remain consistent at all zoom levels, which is something many phones still struggle with.

And here’s the surprising part. I ended up using the camera about 3.2x most of the time. It just hits that sweet spot of composition, perspective, and background separation.

Pictures That Don’t Try Too Much

Long-range photography is another strong suit here, and it benefits greatly from that phone’s hardware. You can shoot using the telephoto lens to get a natural depth of field, or switch to portrait mode for more processing. Either way, the results are great.

Edge detection is clean, subject separation looks natural, and background blur doesn’t feel fake or overdone. In most cases, it really holds its own against a decent DSLR setup.

What I really like, though, is that you don’t always need portrait mode. Just using a telephoto lens gives you that natural compression and bokeh, especially for subjects like pets or candid shots.

Low Light, No Panic

While daytime photography is good, it’s also good for most other phones. However, low-light photography is where this phone really shines. That 1-inch sensor combined with a wide f/1.67 aperture allows it to pull in a ton of light. And the results show.

Even in challenging situations with low light, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra is able to retain details, control noise, and maintain the mood of the scene. Importantly, it does not try to turn night into day. You still get that nighttime feel, with better clarity and detail. The highlights are controlled, the lens aperture is small, and the composition is blurred to the point of extinction.

Ultrawide, But Actually Useful

The ultra-wide camera here is not an afterthought. At 14mm, it captures a very wide field of view, perfect for landscapes, architecture, and group portraits. Even better, the image quality is surprisingly high, including in low light.

That said, there is a bit of irritation. The placement of the ultrawide lens near the edge of the camera module means it’s very easy to accidentally get a finger on the frame. Not a dealbreaker, but definitely something to keep in mind.

Photo Kit Pro

Speaking of the camera lineup, one of the best things Xiaomi did with this phone was to introduce the Photography Kit Pro, and the second best thing they did was give me a kit, too. You get better ergonomics, physical controls for shooting, and an overall experience that makes you want to take more pictures. It bridges that gap between smartphone photography and traditional cameras in a truly satisfying way. The grip also doubles as a battery pack, which is incredibly useful during long shots.

There’s even a USB-C port, so it’s easy to charge both the phone and the tablet at the same time. That said, I wish Xiaomi added data pass-through, enabling one to connect an external SSD while the grip is attached. Perhaps in future iterations, they could add a MicroSD card slot to this, or better yet, a full-sized SD card slot to appeal to existing photographers.

A selfie camera… It’s there

Now, all is wrong here, and that brings me to selfies. That’s right. Just fine.

HDR can be a little different, colors tend to be a bit skewed, and while there’s an attempt to smooth out skin texture, the result feels a little tight.

Of course, photography is up to you, but personally, this is one area where I’d choose the Google Pixel any day. Even the iPhone does a solid job when choosing soft-looking photos, as you can see in the comparison above.

The Best Camera You Can (Legally) Buy?

So… is this the best camera phone right now? If photography is your priority, it’s honestly pretty hard to argue with. The Xiaomi 17 Ultra includes industry-leading hardware, truly thoughtful image processing, full RAW support for those who like to blend every pixel, and smart AI tools that feel really useful instead of gimmicky. And the best part? It’s not just a one trick pony. Beyond the camera, you still get a decent experience with a high-end chipset, a great display, and long-lasting battery life.

But here’s the frustrating thing: you can’t buy it legally in the US. And that’s really a shame. Because if a phone like this were widely available, it would force the likes of Apple and Samsung to advance their cameras, fast. The Xiaomi 17 Ultra isn’t trying to be the most balanced smartphone out there. Instead, it aims to be the best camera you can carry in your pocket. And after spending time with it, it’s hard not to feel like the US market is missing out.