Xiaomi has stated it will first show the Xiaomi 17 range to the world on February 28 in Barcelona – shortly before Mobile World Congress begins. The advertising is about the Xiaomi 17 Ultra, in a Starry Green colour, so the Ultra and the normal Xiaomi 17 will be the first to come to international markets; it is not yet known which countries will be getting which of the models.
When and what the launch event is about
The launch is called ‘The New Wave of Imagery’ and continues Xiaomi’s partnership with Leica that has lasted several years, with a focus on the camera’s parts and the software which controls the images. The timing means Xiaomi is competing directly with other top-end phone launches, with a big competitor revealing its phones a little before the Barcelona event. Xiaomi has chosen this date to gain speed before MWC, as a planned move to get the attention of people who attend the industry event and those who buy things. The company has given hints that the international range of phones will be limited, and will probably not include the Pro and Pro Max models which were released in China last year.
What we know about the Xiaomi 17 Ultra’s specs
The Xiaomi 17 Ultra is being advertised as a top-end phone for taking pictures, with a 6.9-inch LTPO AMOLED screen and a very high maximum brightness. The screen uses Dragon Crystal Glass and is meant to be very bright, to make things easier to see and to improve the effect of HDR. Inside, the Ultra uses the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip, which should give top performance for apps, games and the things a camera needs to do. Xiaomi puts this chip with advanced cooling and software adjustment to keep up performance when the phone is being used a lot. The camera parts are the most important thing: a 50MP 1-inch main sensor with a variable aperture, a 200MP periscope telephoto which gives continuous optical zoom between 75mm and 100mm, and a 50MP ultrawide which can also be used as a macro camera. A 50MP front camera which can record 4K video supports high-resolution selfies and video calls. Rumours about the battery and how long the phone will last suggest a 6,000mAh battery for the international Ultra, with 90W wired and 50W wireless charging available. IP68 and IP69 ratings for how well the phone is protected from water and dust are expected, making the Ultra a good choice for people who want a phone which is strong and has a long battery life.
Xiaomi 17: a smaller top-end phone with similar performance
The normal Xiaomi 17 is meant to give top-end performance in a smaller package. It is said to have a 6.3-inch 1.5K LTPO AMOLED screen with a 120Hz refresh rate and the same Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip as the Ultra. The camera is still good, with a Leica-branded three 50MP camera set-up which covers main, telephoto and ultrawide needs. Xiaomi seems to be balancing size and ability for people who would like to use the phone in one hand without losing camera quality or battery life.
Prices, when it will be available and what you get after you buy it
European prices which have been leaked suggest the Xiaomi 17 could start at EUR 999 for a 12GB/256GB model, and a 12GB/512GB option at about EUR 1,099. The Xiaomi 17 Ultra is thought to start at EUR 1,499 for the 16GB/512GB model, with a 1TB model possibly at EUR 1,699. These prices put the range a little below the most expensive ultra-premium competitors, while stressing the camera parts and battery capacity. Early estimates for prices in India put the Xiaomi 17 at about Rs. 80,000 and the Ultra near Rs. 1,25,000, which would be an increase over the previous generation. Xiaomi is also stressing after-sales service in Europe, offering a 24-month quality guarantee, one free screen replacement within six months, and free work for repairs which are not covered by the guarantee during the guarantee period. These advantages are meant to make the brand different through support as much as the phone’s specifications.
Indian advertising and what local launches are expected to be like
Xiaomi India has advertised more product news and has specifically mentioned the Xiaomi Pad 8, suggesting many announcements could follow in that country. The company also gave a sign of a ‘big announcement’ on social media, which many people who watch it read as a time for the 17 range to be launched in India. If Xiaomi confirms a launch in India, when it will be available, what colours it will come in and the official prices will decide local demand. Buyers who are interested in photography and zoom performance may prefer the Ultra, while those who want a compact top-end phone could choose the normal Xiaomi 17 when local sales start.
