Xiaomi 17 Ultra Leica Edition teased with physical zoom controls, camera-focused design

Xiaomi 17 Ultra Leica Edition has been officially confirmed by Xiaomi ahead of its launch tomorrow in China. Early teasers and official previews have offered a brief look at its design-focused changes, hinting at a stronger camera-centric identity without revealing everything upfront.

Leica red dot branding and camera-inspired design

The most noticeable change on the Xiaomi 17 Ultra Leica Edition is the presence of the iconic Leica red dot, also known as the Coco Cola logo, on the camera module. This is the first time Leica has allowed this branding on a co-developed smartphone, previously reserving it for its own cameras and the Leitz Phone series.

The logo is engraved directly onto the phone rather than being printed, giving it a more premium and permanent feel. Another major addition is the new master zoom ring that surrounds the camera module. Xiaomi has confirmed that this ring is not an external accessory but a physical part of the phone itself.

Company executives have stated that it allows manual-style zoom control similar to traditional cameras, though full functional details are expected at launch. The presence of this ring reinforces Xiaomi’s intention to move mobile photography closer to real camera handling rather than touch-only controls.

Imaging hardware and Leica-exclusive features

Beyond design, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra Leica Edition is expected to match the standard model’s core imaging hardware. This includes a one-inch OmniVision Light Fusion 1050L primary sensor paired with LOFIC high dynamic range technology, aimed at preserving highlights while maintaining shadow detail in challenging lighting.

The phone also introduces a 200MP Leica APO-certified telephoto lens, capable of optical output across the 75mm to 100mm focal range. This single lens covers four classic portrait focal lengths without digital cropping, relying instead on optical movement through a dual floating lens system.

Software enhancements are also anticipated, including Leica-exclusive colour profiles, classic film-style filters, watermarks, and optional magnetic photography accessories. Xiaomi positions the Leica edition as a distinct experience rather than a cosmetic variant, aimed at users who value photography as the core reason to choose an Ultra device.

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Stay tuned to Unboxed by Croma for the Xiaomi 17 Ultra’s official announcement.