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| An English-speaking YouTuber has unboxed and tested the Xiaomi 17 Ultra Leica Edition |
If you follow the world of high-end smartphone cameras, you know the name Ben. Through his channel, Ben’s Gadget Reviews, he’s become a crucial early voice for Western audiences, consistently landing some of the first English-language access to China’s hottest new devices. That trend continues this week, as he releases one of the very first hands-on experiences with the highly anticipated Xiaomi 17 Ultra, mere hours after his Chinese counterparts.
His nearly 15-minute video isn’t a full review—the phone isn’t even officially launched yet—but it offers a compelling first look at what Xiaomi and Leica are cooking up. The model in his hands is the “Leica Edition,” which strong industry whispers suggest will be marketed globally as the “Leitzphone powered by Xiaomi.”
First Impressions: Design Praises and One Notable Omission
Ben immediately dives into the physical design, a hallmark of this Ultra series. He praises the phone's ridged metal frame, which offers superior grip, and is particularly taken with the new haptic feedback zoom ring—a tactile touch for camera enthusiasts. However, he joins a chorus of early critics in pointing out one curious absence: the dedicated two-stage camera shutter button, a feature found on many photography-focused rivals, is missing. It’s a notable omission for a device so clearly targeting pro-level imaging.
After navigating the setup of the Chinese variant and sideloading essentials like the Google Play Store, Ben gets down to business: testing the new quad-camera system adorned with the prestigious red Leica label.
Camera Showdown: Xiaomi 17 Ultra vs. Vivo X300 Pro
The heart of this early look is a camera comparison with another imaging powerhouse, the Vivo X300 Pro. Ben pits the telephoto and zoom capabilities of both flagships against each other in real-world scenarios.
The results are a mixed bag, highlighting how subjective photo quality can be. In one sample, the Vivo delivers a sharper image, but the Xiaomi 17 Ultra captures colors—like a yellowish wall—more accurately. In a portrait shot, both have issues: the Vivo’s image appears overly smoothed by AI processing, while the Xiaomi renders the subject a bit too soft. It’s a classic example of the different computational photography philosophies at play.
Zoom and Video: A Strong First Showing
Where the Xiaomi 17 Ultra seems to shine is in its zoom transition and video capabilities. Ben shares initial video footage from Hong Kong, noting that the phone handles the shift from optical to digital zoom (starting at the 100mm focal length) exceptionally well.
“Up to around 10x, the results still look very good. After that, the first artifacts become noticeable,” he notes. Low-light performance in the city's alleys produces convincing still images at a glance, but moving subjects often lack critical sharpness—a common challenge for even the best smartphone sensors.
Watch the Exclusive First Look Here:
For a deeper dive into the unboxing, design feel, and those initial side-by-side photo samples, check out Ben’s full video.
Verdict: A Promising Start
Ben’s initial takeaway is one of clear optimism. While he acknowledges the need to test dynamic range, battery life, and everyday performance more thoroughly, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra Leica Edition makes a formidable first impression. Its design refinements and thoughtful camera controls (shutter button aside) position it as a serious contender.
If this early hands-on is any indication, the battle for camera phone supremacy in 2025 is heating up. Samsung’s Galaxy S26 Ultra, Apple’s next iPhone Pro, and rivals like Vivo should take note: Xiaomi and Leica are bringing their A-game.
For more in-depth technical analysis, lab test results, and extensive comparison galleries from other reviewers in China, be sure to read our comprehensive coverage over at Notebookcheck.