DxOMark: Xiaomi 17 Ultra is among the best, but not the top. It has an excellent telephoto lens and good noise control

The Xiaomi 17 Ultra will soon head to the Czech market along with the cheaper model Xiaomi 17 and the Xiaomi Watch 5 smartwatches, about whose European version we brought key information as the first in the world. However, before the flagship reached Czech stores, its photographic capabilities were already tested by the renowned server DxOMark. The results are more than solid, although the new device did not reach the very top of the ranking.

Sixth place in the global ranking

The Xiaomi 17 Ultra achieved an overall score of 166 points in DxOMark tests, placing it 6th in the global smartphone camera ranking. For the photography section, it earned 170 points, while video reached 157 points. In the ultra-premium phone category, Xiaomi thus surpassed, for example, the Honor Magic8 Pro or Google Pixel 10 Pro XL, but could not beat the Huawei Pura 80 Ultra at the top of the ranking with 175 points.

Compared to its predecessor, the Xiaomi 15 Ultra, this is a significant step forward. The new device benefits from a large 1-inch main sensor with 50 Mpx resolution, a 50Mpx ultrawide-angle lens, and especially an impressive 200Mpx telephoto lens with a periscope design and variable focal length of 75–100 mm.

Telephoto lens and portraits as main strengths

DxOMark particularly highlights the telephoto lens performance, in which the Xiaomi 17 Ultra ranks among the top three tested devices. The phone offers continuous zoom with good details from the main sensor to extreme magnification. It performs especially well in the 35–75 mm full-frame equivalent range, even before switching to the dedicated telephoto module.

DxOMark: Xiaomi 17 Ultra is among the best, but not the top. It has an excellent telephoto lens and good noise control Adam Kurfürst News Adam Kurfürst News

It also achieves excellent results in portrait mode. Testers praise precise subject segmentation, including fine details like hair, strong and aesthetically pleasing background blur, and natural-looking circular bokeh. The default skin smoothing is applied subtly and is not distracting in most situations.

Texture and noise among the best

In terms of texture preservation, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra is among the absolute best. A high level of detail is maintained across most lighting conditions, and the phone handles moving subjects well. This makes it a good choice for photographing sports, pets, or family moments with children.

Noise is also under control and practically imperceptible in real-world scenes. However, aggressive noise reduction has its downsides – occasionally, minor texture artifacts or quantization in solid color areas may appear.

Video lags behind the top

While the Xiaomi 17 Ultra excels in photography, its video mode slightly lags. With 157 points, it falls behind competitors like the Apple iPhone 17 Pro, which achieved 172 points in this category. The main issues concern autofocus, which is not always smooth and occasionally loses face tracking. Transitions between individual lenses are noticeable when zooming.

Exposure and white balance can be slightly unstable during sudden lighting changes. Image stabilization works reliably when walking, but faster movements may cause minor jitters. For casual filming, the performance is sufficient, but professionals might opt for a different device.

Who is the Xiaomi 17 Ultra ideal for?

The Xiaomi 17 Ultra is particularly suitable for mobile photography enthusiasts who appreciate a powerful telephoto lens and a high-quality portrait mode. The phone excels at preserving details even in low light and offers natural color rendition. On the other hand, those who primarily focus on video recording or frequently take group photos should consider competitors – limited depth of field can sometimes result in subjects in the foreground not being properly in focus.

Are you planning to get the Xiaomi 17 Ultra?

Sources: DxOMark (1, 2, 3)