In summary

  • Xiaomi 17 Ultra tipped for 50Mp main sensor
  • 200Mp periscope with telephoto macro
  • Both to feature impressive high dynamic range

More details have emerged concerning the Xiaomi 17 Ultra’s remarkably advanced-sounding smartphone camera system.

Xiaomi announced its latest flagship Xiaomi 17 smartphone range back in September, but one member as notable by its absence. The premium Xiaomi 17 Ultra is set to go even bigger than the Xiaomi 17 Pro (pictured below), and now we have an idea of what that will mean in the camera department.

Established tipster Digital Chat Station has taken to Weibo with some exclusive information on the forthcoming Xiaomi 17 Ultra.

Apparently, it’ll feature a large 50MP main camera with enhanced in-sensor zoom support, “allowing for lossless focal length integration with the periscope lens”. Essentially, flitting from crops of the main sensor and switching up to the dedicated periscope camera should be relatively seamless.

Xiaomi 17 Pro Max - 1

Xiaomi

Xiaomi 17 Ultra telephoto camera

Talking of which, the leaker claims that the Xiami 17 Ultra will pack a 200Mp periscope camera with multi-focal-length lossless zoom and telephoto macro support.

We also learn that both of these impressive new sensors support high dynamic range.

In terms of when we might see the Xiaomi 17 Ultra, it’s worth looking to last year’s Xiaomi 15 Ultra for guidance. Yes, Xiaomi skipped the ’16’ altogether, in its latest instance of cringey Apple copying .

Xiaomi’s current flagship model landed in February, about four months after the rest of the Xiaomi 15 range took a bow.

With an estimated four camera sensors set to form part of the package, Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra -style, it’ll be interesting to see if Xiaomi continues with the secondary display of the rest of the Xiaomi 17 series.

Xiaomi 15 Ultra

Xiaomi 15 Ultra - 2 Editors' Choice - 3

Author: Jon Mundy, Contributor, Tech Advisor

The Xiaomi 17 Ultra is shaping up to be a total camera zoom champ - 4

Jon is a freelance journalist who got his start covering mobile games at the dawn of the App Store. He has since covered everything from smart home tech and laptops to food and culture, but always seems to return to his fascination with smartphones.

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