The smartphone camera wars are heating up, and the next flagship from Xiaomi is shaping up to be a true powerhouse. While the current Xiaomi 15 Ultra continues to hold its own against rivals like the Oppo Find X9 Pro and Vivo X300 Pro, new leaks suggest its successor—tentatively dubbed the Xiaomi 17 Ultra—is preparing a two-pronged attack that could leave the competition scrambling.
According to prolific and often-accurate tipster Digital Chat Station on Weibo, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra is not just an iterative update. Instead, it may be launching with a dual-strategy: one model featuring a highly refined, traditional flagship camera system, and a second, more radical variant boasting an "exclusive physical zoom camera" that promises true optical versatility.
The Foundation: A Familiar but Potent Camera Setup
In his initial leak, Digital Chat Station outlines what appears to be the core camera system for the Xiaomi 17 Ultra. This setup seems to follow the proven formula of current Pro-level flagships but with critical enhancements that could give it a significant edge.
The star of the show is expected to remain the main camera, which is rumored to continue using a large 1-inch type sensor. However, in a potential shift, Xiaomi might partner with Omnivision for this sensor. The leaker emphasizes that this main sensor will not only be physically larger than those in many competing phones but will also see a dramatic boost in dynamic range thanks to the integration of new LOFIC (Lateral Overflow Integration Capacitor) technology.
This LOFIC tech is key. By allowing the sensor to handle a much wider range of light in a single shot, it prevents blown-out highlights and crushed shadows in high-contrast scenes. But its benefits extend further. Digital Chat Station claims this will also enable a "stronger in-sensor zoom" at close range, effectively creating a seamless bridge between the main camera and the periscope telephoto lens.
Speaking of the telephoto, the periscope shooter is tipped to be based on a high-resolution 200 MP sensor, likely the Samsung ISOCELL HPE. This massive pixel count allows for multiple zoom focal lengths using high-quality, lossless crop zoom. The leaker describes the magnification as "good" and, importantly, states the dynamic range of both the main and telephoto sensors is "very high." The telephoto is also said to retain telephoto macro support, a beloved feature for close-up photography.
Aesthetically, the partnership with Leica continues, with the camera design maintaining the distinctive round module seen on the Xiaomi 15 Ultra. This design choice reportedly means a second display, like the one featured on the Xiaomi 17 Pro, is unlikely for the Ultra model.
You can view Digital Chat Station's initial Weibo post detailing these specs here.
The Revolution: "Exclusive Physical Zoom" and Pro Features
While the first leak describes a formidable camera phone, it's the second post from Digital Chat Station that truly sparks excitement and suggests a potential paradigm shift for the Xiaomi 17 Ultra.
The leaker introduces what he calls an "exclusive physical zoom camera." While details are still scarce, the phrasing strongly suggests a type of external or attachable lens system that would offer true optical zoom with variable focal lengths. This is a holy grail in mobile photography, moving beyond the fixed focal lengths of current periscope systems and digital cropping.
Digital Chat Station boldly states this feature is "far ahead of the competition," positioning it as the Xiaomi 17 Ultra's signature innovation.
But the innovation doesn't stop there. The leaker also mentions two other high-end features likely to trickle down from competitors. For the first time, Xiaomi is expected to integrate a multispectral sensor. This dedicated color sensor, already seen in the Oppo Find X9 Pro, measures ambient light color information with extreme accuracy, promising more true-to-life colors and superior white balance in any lighting condition.
Furthermore, the Vivo-inspired "zoom flash" feature is also tipped to be on board. This intelligent system adjusts the flash's intensity and color temperature based on the selected focal length, ensuring evenly lit and naturally colored photos even in complete darkness, whether you're shooting wide-angle or at maximum zoom.
Digital Chat Station's follow-up Weibo post discussing the physical zoom can be found here.
The Big Picture: A New Tier for Flagship Cameras?
The most intriguing question is how these two sets of features coexist. The prevailing theory is that Xiaomi may launch two variants of the Xiaomi 17 Ultra: a standard Ultra with the refined 1-inch + 200MP setup, and a separate, even more premium model designed to accommodate the groundbreaking physical zoom accessory.
If these leaks hold true, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra is not just another incremental update. It represents a bold vision for the future of smartphone photography, one that combines a no-compromise traditional camera system with a revolutionary, modular approach to optical zoom. The battle for camera supremacy is about to get a lot more interesting.
What are your thoughts on a potential physical zoom accessory for smartphones? Is it a gimmick or the next big innovation? Let us know in the comments below.
