The arrival of the series known as Xiaomi 17 Ultra has presented an intriguing predicament for those who purchase top-end smartphones. Xiaomi has divided its high-end product into two separate entities: the regular Xiaomi 17 Ultra, crafted for general luxury aficionados, and the second, called the Xiaomi 17 Ultra Leica Edition, created for aficionados and professionals alike. Even though both possess the same Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 soul, they possess separate natures altogether. Here’s the complete distinction on why the latter warrants its premium price tag.

1. Design: Modern Flow vs. Mechanical Grip

The visual language used in both devices has different aims. The standard Xiaomi 17 Ultra comes with an all-new 2D flat screen and ultra-narrow equal bezels and an 8.29mm thin body. The device is made to be elegant and comfortable and comes in glass and eco-leather materials such as Starry Green.

The Leica Edition, however, is a tank when it comes to construction. The camera is ever so slightly thicker, at 8.5mm, to house the mechanical components inside. The design boasts a characteristic knurled mid-frame design that copies the design of a manual focus camera lens, with fantastic grip to show for it. The back is skinned with a customized vegan leather design that comes as a tribute to the Leica M line, complete with the legendary Leica Red Label design as well. This is a camera that phones home.

2.The Master Zoom Ring

The biggest noticeable difference is in the way the controls are handled. The conventional model uses the touchscreen for all camera settings. The Leica Edition features Mechanical Master Zoom Ring.

This features a physical, turnable ring that is incorporated in the camera module. This gives a photographer the ability to change the focus length or even focus in a way that does not conceal the screen. This offers a great sense of feel as well as accuracy that software sliders can never offer.

3. Imaging Software: The “Leitz” Look

Both cameras feature the exact same top-of-their-class hardware: the 1-inch Light Hunter 1050L sensor, along with the 200MP periscope zoom. The Leica Edition is treated to a one-of-a-kind software experience.

It comes with the Leica Professional System, which allows modes not available with the regular version of the camera:

• Leica M9 Model: Offers a nostalgic CCD-sensor color science like in the M9 model body.
• Leica M3 + MONOPAN 50: A specific contrast-rich monochrome camera mode for artistic monochrome photography.
• Classic 3:2 Aspect Ratio: Natively recorded format that simulates 35mm film frames.

Verdict

A slim, powerful, and IP69 waterproof flagships-section Xiaomi 17 Ultra is what I can call a perfect buy if one needs a device for daily use. For a professional who would rather use hardware-based privacy encryption features as well as the pleasure of a mechanical zoom ring, there is nothing better than a Xiaomi 17 Ultra Leica Edition. These two models are well-integrated with the Apple ecosystem.

Xiaomi has begun to detail a rollout strategy for HyperOS 3, and the REDMI Note 13 series is now conspicuously on the update roadmap. Going by internal testing data, several models within the family have already reached beta or readiness status in various regions. The development places the REDMI Note 13 series further along in their road to Xiaomi’s next-generation software experience.

HyperOS 3 Development Status for REDMI Note 13 Series

HyperOS 3 focuses on system intelligence, interface consistency, and smoother cross-device interaction within the Xiaomi ecosystem. Xiaomi also separates devices into “ready” and “internal beta” before the public release, basically for ensuring stability across most hardware variants.

Device Model	China	Global	EEA (Europe)	India	Other Regions
REDMI Note 13 Pro 5G	Ready	Ready	Ready	Internal Beta	Internal Beta
REDMI Note 13 Pro (4G)	Internal Beta	Internal Beta	Internal Beta	Internal Beta	Internal Beta
REDMI Note 13 Pro+ 5G	Ready	Ready	Ready	Ready	Internal Beta
REDMI Note 13 5G	Ready	Internal Beta	Internal Beta	Internal Beta	Internal Beta

Devices marked as “ready” have a realistic chance of receiving the stable HyperOS 3 update before the end of 2025, without entering 2026.

What HyperOS 3 Brings to REDMI Note 13 series

HyperOS 3 is designed as an evolutionary update, not a radical redesign. Xiaomi prioritizes usability, performance efficiency, and AI-based system enhancements.

The key highlights include:

• Improved AI for smarter system behavior
• New icon design aligned with Xiaomi’s latest visual language
• Refined iOS-inspired system animations and interactions
• Super Island, providing improved notification and activity display

These changes are made to provide a more cohesive user experience across smartphones and tablets, further extending into Xiaomi’s wide smart device ecosystem through Xiaomi HyperConnect.

Expected Rollout Strategy

Xiaomi’s modus operandi is to always roll out updates first in China, followed by Global, EEA, and then regional builds. The internal beta stages may last a few weeks depending on feedback and stability metrics. Users should expect a staged rollout starting with models that were already marked as ready.

The Xiaomi x Leica Imaging Strategic Cooperation Upgrade press conference marked the launch of the new Xiaomi Watch 5 series, a flagship smartwatch brand that emphasizes healthcare and standalone communication capabilities. It was accompanied by the Xiaomi 17 Ultra and offers a host of ‘firsts for Xiaomi’s smart wearable line’. According to Xiaomi, ‘the Watch 5 series is available in mainland China only at the time of its global availability and release’, with prices starting at ‘about $280 for the basic version and about $320 for the eSIM version’. However, ‘subsidies can reduce the starting price to nearly $250’.

Premium Design and Display Focus

Xiaomi Watch 5 sports a premium design language, keeping in mind durability in long-term usage. Xiaomi has utilized double-sided artificial sapphire glass along with a stainless steel unibody case. Coming to the display, Xiaomi uses an 1.54-inch AMOLED display with a peak level of 1500 nits global brightness with an ultra-narrow 2.6mm bezel on the front.

Before going into the details about the hardware features, it is worth noting that Xiaomi provides more than one strap type according to the buyer’s preference. These include khaki green and black fluoroelastomer straps, genuine leather straps, as well as a premium “3D-printed titanium strap.” The watch comes with a contact charging system that provides a safe charging experience.

Dual-Core Architecture and Battery Life

Regarding performance, Xiaomi markets its Watch 5 device as a “fully intelligent flagship watch.” Its performance is guaranteed by dual-core dual-system architecture, incorporating Snapdragon W5, designed with 4nm process technology, and BES2800 low power processor. Dual-core dual-system architecture enables this smartwatch to perfectly integrate performance and power consumption.

In this way, the Xiaomi Watch 5 can run apps by itself, such as payment and guidance systems, without a smartphone being present. According to Xiaomi, the performance mode ensures a battery life up to 6 days, and if it switches to power-saving mode, it can be operational for up to 18 days.

Advanced Health Sensors and Smart Features

“Health monitoring is also one of the Xiaomi Watch 5’s key highlights.” It comes with “Xiaomi’s first EMG (Electromyography) sensor” that allows gesture control and is compatible with other Xiaomi products with support for “Xiaomi HyperConnect.” Other functions include an “ECG heart rate sensor” and the ability to support “150+ sports modes” and offer “Super AI capabilities” optimized for their smartwatches.

Xiaomi system apps can then be updated by visiting HyperOSUpdates.com or using the MemeOS Enhancer application found on Google Play Store that offers more functions such as Xiaomi hidden features.

Enthusiasts have finally got the waiting out of their systems with the launch of the Xiaomi 17 Ultra; a device which has already proven to be a benchmark in mobile photography and has already been crowned the “king of mobile photography” because of its amazing abilities and qualities in this area and other areas as well.

But what’s amazing is also the “view experience” offered by Xiaomi’s “HyperOS 3,” which is nothing but breathtaking, and in connection with this milestone event in the world of technology and gadgets, we have something special to share with the tech community today in the form of official stock wallpapers in its “raw” form to capture the “soul” of this technology’s creations and achievements and to allow tech enthusiasts to experience this technology in their current gadgets immediately and effectively.

A Symphony of Geometry and Optics

The Xiaomi 17 Ultra’s design language is deeply entrenched in the ideology of “Light and Shadow,” a nod to the brand’s partnership with Leica. The official wallpapers embody this theme through the use of spherical geometry and light refractions which simulate the effects of a high-end camera lens. Contrary to the abstract art form of last year’s chaotic designs, these wallpapers embody a composed and professional look that celebrates depth and definition. The flowing curves and sharp lines of these wallpapers can easily mesh with Xiaomi 17 Ultra’s physical design to give a seamless transition from hardware to software.

Optimized for Next-Gen Displays

All of these wallpapers are carefully optimized for the newly featured 6.9-inch 2K LTPO screen of the device, which features the use of the M10 luminous material. This means that these wallpapers have perfect blacks in order to conserve power but also come with maximum contrast achieved with highly highlighted bright colors.

Wallpaper Collection

We’ve extracted the four major “hero” wallpapers that match each color variation for the device. Download links for the wallpapers at their full resolutions are available below:

• Nebula Purple: This is quite dark and has violet and indigo colors combined. Recommended for those who like the dark look.
• Deep Ocean Blue: It symbolizes the smooth flowing nature of the new operation system. It is an aquatic teal color gradient.
• Molten Orange: This design is a picture of contrast, with warm tones of copper evoking the potency of the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor.
• Aurora Green: A new, nature-based color scheme that exactly matches the Starry Green ceramic back of the limited edition smartphone.

 

 

Ready to give a new look to your existing device with the beauty of Xiaomi 17 Ultra? We have uploaded the entire and full image set with no compression onto our clouds for you. To give you full-resolution images with no compression artifacts at all, we advise you to download from us directly. Click on the link below to check out our Xiaomi Time Telegram Channel, which features not only these wallpapers but also cool ringtones and system dumps of this new smartphone. Do not forget to join the group in case you want notifications about similar future releases.

The world of mobile photography has just escalated in a huge way with the launch in China today of the Xiaomi 17 Ultra. Not only has it come up with a Xiaomi HyperOS 3  which is revolutionary in every sense of the term, but it also boasts a massive 6800mAh battery that leaves all other smartphones in 2026 in the lurch. Even though fans are still relishing the benefits of “Xiaomi 15 Ultra,” this new smartphone comes with the Snapdragon 8 Elite processor and sports a 2D flat screen. This smartphone marks the culmination of the relationship between Xiaomi and Leica, providing all that “Xiaomi fans” have been waiting for in their dreams.

A Revolutionary Camera System

The Xiaomi 17 Ultra breaks the mold with its innovative primary camera design, touted as the “best camera ever designed” by the company. It comes with the Leica 1-inch “Light Master” camera sensor, the light Hunter 1050L, which comes with the revolutionary ultra-HDR technology of LOFIC. This makes it possible to take spectacular images at night with controlled highlights and maintain rich detail. Additionally, there is also a “Fireworks Mode” designed for capturing colors of the night sky without overexposure.

The Age of 200MP Optical Zoom

One area that stands out with this device is its support for 200MP optical zoom offered by Leica lenses. With the 1/1.4 ”large image sensor and 3G+5P telephoto optical design, the device provides continuous optical zooming from 75mm to 100mm. Thus, it offers uninterrupted picture clarity that doesn’t lose quality due to cropping, thereby entering a new era for all other devices with their mobile photography capabilities due to the optical zooming feature offered by this device.

It provides flawless super telephoto images even at 200mm and 400mm with the lens having the ability to handle optical outputs at all these distances.

Performance & Battery Life

Technologically, the phone runs on the Fifth Generation Snapdragon 8 Elite Mobile Platform, made using TSMC’s third-generation 3nm process. The CPU brings a huge boost in computing power despite consuming lower power. It requires a huge cooler to dissipate all the heat that it produces during operation. For this purpose, it has a dual-path three-dimensional ring cooling pump.

Massive 6800mAh Jinshajiang Battery

One of the most amazing upgrades has to be the battery capacity. The Chinese variant comes with a whopping 6800mAh Xiaomi Jinshajiang battery, and this is expected to result in super-long battery life for the smartphone and cater to the needs of heavy users as well. It must be mentioned here that the Global variant is expected to come with a 6000mAh capacity because of different safety standards in different regions. The smartphone comes with the capability to be charged with a whopping 90W and 50W wireless charging as well.

Design and Display Excellence

Xiaomi has at last equalized premier camera capabilities with ergonomic comfort. The Xiaomi 17 Ultra comes with a 6.9-inch ultra-narrow four-sided equal-bezel straight screen. The 2D flat screen ensures there are no issues of accidental touches, in addition to an immersive screen experience. The device measures an amazingly thin 8.29mm, making it the slimmest Ultra device so far. The DECO mini design helps in promoting one-handed use convenience.

Strong Build Quality

The device is quite durable as evidenced by IP66, IP68, and IP69 certifications for protection against both dust and water. Whether it is withstanding water jets or immersion, an environmental test device like the Xiaomi 17 Ultra is capable of withstanding challenging environmental conditions.

Each device is available in four vastly beautiful colors: Starry Green, Cool Smoke Purple, Starry Green/White-Black versions, as well as Black/White colors.

Leitzphone by Xiaomi: The Ultimate Edition

Alongside its standard offering, it also launched what it termed as a special edition globally known as “Leitzphone by Xiaomi” while in China, it was called “Xiaomi 17 Ultra Leica Edition.” This special or limited-edition design is characteristic for its red label design inspired by Leica, its zoom ring, and its mid-frame knurl inspired by photography. This is targeted at those who believe in the “mind-body unity” offered by cameras.

Exclusive Features

The Leitzphone from Xiaomi has a gift box which consists of a magnetic protective case, a lens cap, and a lanyard. The new addition is only equipped with a feature named “Leica Moment,” which has a retro version of Leica M9 and M3 quality.  It will be announced as Leitzphone on global.

Software and Ecosystem

The device is powered by the brand new Xiaomi HyperOS 3, which features extensive interconnectivity with the Apple environment. Users can now operate their Xiaomi smartphones directly on an iPhone or Mac, additionally allowing them to share clipboards effortlessly.