Xiaomi has just made the new Xiaomi 17 series available in India, and in markets around the world, and it has two top models: the Xiaomi 17 and the Xiaomi 17 Ultra. Both phones are built for top performance, and have excellent, Leica-tuned cameras and fast charging – all powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip and a better partnership with the camera company.
What the Xiaomi 17 Series is about
The Xiaomi 17 series is kept simple, with two quality options that have the same main parts, but are for different kinds of users. The Ultra is really for high-quality photography and a bigger screen, while the regular Xiaomi 17 balances a small size with a large battery and good image skills.
Both phones have the best connectivity and sensors available – 5G, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, NFC, and ultrasonic fingerprint readers built into the screen. The software is Android 16 with Xiaomi’s HyperOS 3, which makes the camera work well and manages performance.
Price in India and what you get
The Xiaomi 17 costs from EUR 999 with 12GB RAM and 256GB of storage, which is about Rs 107,400 in Indian money. The Xiaomi 17 comes in Alpine Pink, Black Ice Blue, and Venture Green for people who want a stylish and powerful phone for everyday use.
The Xiaomi 17 Ultra costs EUR 1,499 for the 16GB + 512GB version – about Rs 161,100. Xiaomi also made a Leitzphone version with the Leica name on it, and optional photography extras, with photo sets sold on their own for people who want a more camera-like experience.
What the design and screen are like
The Xiaomi 17 Ultra has a 6.9-inch LTPO AMOLED screen which can change from 1 to 120Hz, can get up to 3,500 nits bright, and has Dragon Glass 3 to protect it. The Ultra also uses Xiaomi’s HyperRGB subpixel setup to make colour and contrast better, and keep the borders thin.
The regular Xiaomi 17 has a 6.3-inch 15K OLED screen with 120Hz and up to 3,500 nits brightness. Both screens have Dolby Vision and wide colour ranges, and are both made to be very bright, quick to respond, and work well outdoors.
Advanced camera systems and video features
Taking photos is a main point of the whole series, with Leica-tuned three rear cameras on both phones. The Xiaomi 17 Ultra has a 50MP 1-inch Light Fusion 1050L main sensor with OIS, a 50MP ultra-wide, and a 200MP periscope telephoto which lets you take long-distance shots and change how you crop.
The Xiaomi 17 uses a 50MP Light Fusion 950 main sensor, a 50MP telephoto with a 60mm lens for portraits and close-ups, and a 50MP ultra-wide. Both phones have 50MP front cameras and better video modes such as Dolby Vision and ACES Log recording at up to 4K 120fps on some lenses.
Performance, battery and charging
Inside, both phones use the 3nm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip with high-end RAM and storage. The Ultra has LPDDR5x RAM and UFS 4.1 storage, which makes multitasking and opening apps very fast for people who need a lot and for those who make things.
Battery life is a little different: the Xiaomi 17 has a 6,330 mAh battery with 100W wired and 50W wireless charging, while the Ultra has a 6,000 mAh battery with 90W wired, 50W wireless, and can charge other devices wirelessly at a high rate. IP66/68/69 ratings make them last for everyday use.
Extras, packages and who should buy it
Xiaomi supports the Ultra with optional Photography Kit extras which add a shutter button, wrist strap, grip, and extra battery for long photo sessions. These extras are for people who want to handle a phone like a camera, but don’t want to carry a proper camera with them.
The Xiaomi 17 series is for different buyers: get the Ultra for the best mobile photography tools and a bigger screen, or get the regular Xiaomi 17 for a smaller phone with a bigger battery and all-round good performance. Both models want to be the best in camera quality, speed, and screen quality.
