The flagship smartphone wars are heating up, and a new contender is already generating serious buzz months before its expected arrival. Fresh leaks surrounding the Xiaomi 17 Ultra suggest that the company is preparing to double down on its photography-first approach, potentially leaving competitors in the dust with a camera system that sounds nothing short of spectacular.
While an official release from Xiaomi is still likely over a month away, the rumour mill is in full swing. The device, identified by model numbers believed to correspond to Chinese, global, and Indian variants, is strongly tipped for a December 2025 debut, aligning with Xiaomi's previous launch patterns.
But the real story isn't just the when—it's the what. And thanks to a detailed new leak, we have our clearest picture yet of the photographic firepower the Xiaomi 17 Ultra might be packing.
The Crown Jewel: A Singular 1-Inch Primary Sensor
According to the prolific and often reliable tipster Digital Chat Station on Weibo, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra is poised to claim an exclusive throne. The leaker states that it will be "the only flagship" to feature a massive 1-inch type primary camera sensor, speculated to be the OmniVision OVX10500U.
This is a significant strategic move. While other manufacturers may be shifting to slightly smaller sensors, Xiaomi appears to be betting big on sheer size to capture more light and deliver superior image quality, especially in challenging lighting conditions. This sensor will reportedly be paired with a bright f/1.6 aperture and a 23mm equivalent focal length, a combination that proved highly successful in its predecessor, the Xiaomi 15 Ultra.
You can see the original leak (in Chinese) from Digital Chat Station on Weibo here.
A Formidable Triple-Camera Array
A great primary camera needs a strong supporting cast, and the leaks suggest the 17 Ultra won't disappoint. The ultra-wide-angle camera is rumoured to be a 50 MP Samsung ISOCELL JN5, offering a 14mm equivalent field of view for capturing expansive landscapes and architecture.
The most intriguing details, however, surround the telephoto capabilities. Digital Chat Station mentions "70-100 mm telephoto optics." While this phrasing hints at a variable optical zoom lens—a holy grail for smartphone photography—a separate leak from HyperOS code suggests a different, yet still impressive, approach.
It indicates that these focal lengths will be achieved using two distinct sensors: a 50 MP Samsung ISOCELL JN5 and a staggering 200 MP ISOCELL HPE sensor. This setup would likely use sensor cropping and fusion techniques to provide seamless optical-quality zoom between 3x and 4.5x ranges, offering incredible versatility from portrait shots to bringing distant subjects closer.
A Competitive Landscape
If these specs hold true, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra is positioning itself as a direct challenger to Samsung's best. The upcoming Galaxy S26 Ultra is widely expected to retain the 1/1.3-inch primary sensor from its predecessor, the Galaxy S25 Ultra, which would give Xiaomi a clear hardware advantage on paper.
For context, the current Galaxy S25 Ultra remains a powerful device and a benchmark in the Android space. You can check its latest price on Amazon here.
The Bottom Line
The message from these leaks is clear: Xiaomi is not playing it safe. By potentially being the only top-tier flagship with a 1-inch main sensor and a sophisticated, high-resolution multi-telephoto system, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra is shaping up to be a photographer's dream phone. While we await official confirmation and real-world testing, the anticipation for a December release is undoubtedly building. If Xiaomi can deliver on this promising hardware with equally impressive software tuning, the flagship hierarchy could be in for a major shake-up.
*What do you think about the rumoured camera specs of the Xiaomi 17 Ultra? Is a 1-inch sensor the key to smartphone camera dominance? Let us know in the comments below.*
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