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| The new samples showcase nighttime portrait photography capabilities of the Xiaomi 17 Ultra. Pictured: a promo picture of the telpehoto sensor. |
Xiaomi is turning up the heat in the flagship smartphone camera wars, and its latest weapon is a formidable periscope telephoto lens. Following impressive demonstrations—including attaching the Xiaomi 17 Ultra to a drone for fireworks footage—the company is now showcasing the might of its zoom camera, and the details are tantalizing for photography enthusiasts.
The Chinese tech giant has released a new series of teasers focusing squarely on the Leica-engineered 200 MP telephoto camera housed within the Xiaomi 17 Ultra. While Xiaomi stopped short of confirming it’s the rumored new Samsung HPE sensor, it did unveil key specifications that point to a class-leading module. The periscope camera features a sizable 1/1.4-inch sensor and offers optical coverage across 75 mm to 100 mm equivalent focal lengths.
A Closer Look at the Zoom Capabilities
Xiaomi didn’t just talk specs; it provided visual proof. The company shared a set of sample images demonstrating the capture detail at each step within the telephoto’s focal range. Perhaps more tellingly, these shots were directly compared to samples from two unnamed competing flagship phones. In these comparisons, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra appears to maintain sharper detail and better contrast, suggesting a significant leap in telephoto performance.
You can see the detailed focal length comparisons and judge for yourself in the gallery Xiaomi shared on Weibo:
See the focal length comparison shots from 75mm to 100mm
Conquering the Night: Telephoto Portraits After Dark
Beyond daylight zoom, Xiaomi is addressing one of the biggest weaknesses of most telephoto cameras: low-light performance. The brand released a batch of nighttime portrait photographs taken with the periscope lens. The samples aim to showcase how well the sensor and optics handle noise, skin tones, and background bokeh in challenging lighting conditions. The results, if accurate, position the Xiaomi 17 Ultra as a potentially exceptional tool for portrait photographers, day or night.
The low-light portrait samples, which have sparked considerable discussion online, can be viewed here:
View Xiaomi 17 Ultra nighttime telephoto portrait samples
Of course, as with all manufacturer-released samples, these images should be appreciated with a degree of healthy skepticism. They are engineered to show the hardware in its best possible light. Real-world testing by independent reviewers will be the ultimate judge.
Introducing the "Red Carpet Camera Mode"
Adding a sprinkle of algorithmic magic, Xiaomi also teased a new software feature called the "Red Carpet Camera mode." Details are sparse, but the promise is intriguing. The mode is designed to give users a "fresh perspective" on "life's highlights" by transforming everyday moments into cinematic, red carpet-worthy scenes. This likely involves a combination of portrait lighting effects, filters, and perhaps a specific aspect ratio or framing guide.
Xiaomi’s teaser for this unique mode offers a glimpse at what it might look like in action:
Check out the teaser for the Red Carpet Camera mode
The Competitive Landscape
The broader context of these reveals is a smartphone market where the telephoto lens has become a critical battlefield. With the Xiaomi 17 Ultra, the company is signaling that it’s not just competing on megapixel count for the main sensor, but is dedicated to providing a versatile, top-tier camera system across all lenses. The large sensor size for a periscope camera is a particular highlight, as it typically allows for more light capture and better image quality, especially at high zoom levels.
For a look at how the industry is reacting and further technical discussions, this industry analysis provides additional context:
Read industry analysis on the periscope camera trend
The Bottom Line
The Xiaomi 17 Ultra is shaping up to be a photographic powerhouse, with its latest teasers strongly emphasizing a telephoto camera that excels in both detail and low-light conditions. Combined with the innovative "Red Carpet Camera mode," Xiaomi is crafting a narrative of not just hardware superiority, but also unique creative software. As the launch presumably draws nearer, all eyes will be on how these promising specs and samples translate into everyday user experience. If Xiaomi delivers, the flagship phone competition is about to get even more interesting.
