Xiaomi 17 Ultra might arrive much earlier than its predecessor. When will it be revealed for the first time?

Chinese leaker Digital Chat Station, who has a solid reputation for leaks concerning Xiaomi products and more, has revealed new information about the upcoming camera phone Xiaomi 17 Ultra. According to his sources, it is expected to arrive on the Chinese market as early as December 2025. This would be significantly earlier than its predecessor.

Faster launch than last year?

This year, Xiaomi 15 Ultra was introduced in spring, both in China (end of February) and on global markets (beginning of March). If the December premiere of Xiaomi 17 Ultra is confirmed, it would mean a two-month advancement. This could imply that the new device will arrive in Europe as early as the beginning of next year instead of the usual spring timeframe.

While the leaker did not explicitly confirm a faster global launch, an earlier Chinese premiere could suggest it. With Xiaomi 15 Ultra, we essentially saw a simultaneous launch, so a similar scenario might repeat.

Monstrous telephoto lens with variable zoom

The main draw of Xiaomi 17 Ultra is expected to be a 200Mpx telephoto lens with a variable focal length of 70–100 mm. Unlike competitors with fixed zoom values (typically 3× or 5×), according to available information, it will offer continuous zoom in the range of approximately 3× to 4.5× without loss of quality.

According to leaks, the lens is expected to feature an aperture of f/2.3–3.0 and traditionally utilize Leica optics. A variable aperture is common for zoom lenses – at maximum zoom, it lets in less light than at the basic setting. For comparison, the Sony Xperia 1 VII has a similar system with continuous zoom 3.5×-7.1×, but “only” with a 48Mpx sensor.

Periscope or attachment?

It is not yet clear how Xiaomi will technically solve the implementation of such a complex system. Three possibilities are being speculated: a built-in periscope zoom with variable focal length (like Sony), an external magnetic attachment (similar to Oppo Find X9 Pro), or an entirely new solution.

Xiaomi 17 Ultra might arrive much earlier than its predecessor. When will it be revealed for the first time? Adam Kurfürst News Adam Kurfürst News

According to leakers, the certification process is already underway, so we will soon learn specific details. Xiaomi 17 Ultra should complement the current Xiaomi 17 series, which so far only includes the basic model and more expensive Pro and Pro Max pieces boasting a rear display. However, alongside the upcoming camera phone, almost certainly only the cheapest model will come to the Czech Republic.

Are you looking forward to variable zoom, or are classic fixed telephoto lenses enough for you?

Sources: Digital Chat Station/Weibo, GSMArena