After debuting in China at the end of Q3 last year, the Xiaomi 17 series is now heading to international markets. If you assumed these were China-only devices, it is time to reconsider. Xiaomi has officially expanded the Xiaomi 17 and 17 Ultra globally, though one model remains exclusive.
The spec sheets remain largely unchanged. However, the global variants ship with slightly smaller batteries. Notably, the Xiaomi 17 Pro is not part of the international rollout.
Xiaomi 17 Ultra
The Xiaomi 17 Ultra leads the lineup with aggressive camera hardware. It features a 50MP 1-inch type Light Fusion 1050L sensor with LOFIC HDR. On the back, a 200MP telephoto camera uses a large 1/1.4-inch sensor. Its lens shifts smoothly between 75mm and 100mm focal lengths. A 50MP 115-degree ultra-wide camera completes the rear system. On the front, users get another 50MP shooter. The device records Dolby Vision and Log video at up to 4K 120fps.
Design also gets attention this year. The 17 Ultra measures 8.3mm thick, down from 9.4mm on its predecessor. The Starlit Green version includes mineral-like sparkles. Meanwhile, Black and White models use composite fiberglass.
The display grows to 6.9 inches, up from 6.73 inches. Resolution drops to 1,200 x 2,608 pixels from 1,440 x 3,200 pixels. However, Xiaomi uses a HyperRGB panel with a full RGB stripe layout. Xiaomi Shield Glass 3.0 protects the screen and offers 30 percent better drop resistance than the 15 Ultra.
For photography fans, Xiaomi introduces two grip accessories. The Xiaomi 17 Ultra Photography Kit weighs 48g. It includes a two-stage shutter button and a dedicated video button. The grip comes in Black, White, and Purple.
There is also the Xiaomi 17 Ultra Photography Kit Pro. Its design takes cues from classic Leica cameras. It features PU leather, thumb support, and a detachable shutter button. In addition, it packs a 2,000mAh battery to extend usage time.
Battery capacity changes in global units. The Xiaomi 17 Ultra carries a 6,000mAh battery instead of 6,800mAh in China. It supports 90W wired charging with PPS. Wireless charging reaches 50W. Reverse wired charging goes up to 22.5W.
Xiaomi 17
Next comes the smaller Xiaomi 17. Despite its size, it runs on the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, the same chip as the Ultra. Interestingly, the global model includes a 6,330mAh battery. The Chinese variant has 7,000mAh. Charging speeds climb to 100W wired with PPS support. It also supports 50W wireless and 22.5W reverse charging.
The Xiaomi 17 features a 6.3-inch LTPO display with a 1 to 120Hz refresh rate. Since the Pro model stays in China, there is no rear display option globally.
Camera hardware differs from the Ultra. The Xiaomi 17 uses a 50MP Light Fusion 950 sensor sized at 1/1.31 inches. A 2.6x 60mm 50MP telephoto lens handles zoom and macro shots as close as 10cm. It also includes a 50MP 102-degree ultra-wide camera. The selfie camera remains 50MP with a 90-degree field of view. The Pro model would have offered a longer 5x 115mm telephoto lens, but that version is not available outside China.
Build quality remains solid. The Xiaomi 17 uses a 6M42 aluminum frame. Xiaomi Shield glass covers the front, while matte glass protects the back. Color options include Ice Blue, Alpine Pink, Black, and the new Venture Green.
Pricing places these devices firmly in flagship territory. The Xiaomi 17 Ultra starts at €1,499 and £1,299 for the 16GB and 512GB configuration. A 1TB storage option is also available. The Xiaomi 17 starts at €999 and £899 for 12GB and 256GB. Buyers can also choose a 12GB and 512GB variant.
The dedicated Photography Kit for the Xiaomi 17 Ultra costs $199. It ships in Black, White, and Purple. The Pro photography kit costs €199 and comes only in Black.
Alongside smartphones, Xiaomi is expanding its products globally. These include the Xiaomi Pad 8 Pro, Watch S5, Redmi Buds 8 Pro, and Xiaomi Tag.
