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| The Xiaomi 17 Ultra is already available for sale in China. |
Tech enthusiasts outside China have reason to celebrate: the powerhouse Xiaomi 17 Ultra appears to be heading for a global launch soon. New evidence suggests the top-tier smartphone, which debuted in China late last year, is being prepared for international markets, potentially arriving sooner than many expected.
From China-Exclusive to Global Contender
For months, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra has existed as a China-only marvel, sitting above even the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max in the company's flagship hierarchy. Globally, consumers have had to make do with the earlier Xiaomi 15 and Xiaomi 15 Ultra models. That looks set to change, according to a fresh discovery on the popular benchmarking platform.
The global variant, identifiable by the model number 2512BPNDAG, has now appeared on Geekbench. This listing is often the first concrete sign that a device is being tested for release outside its home market. According to the data, the global lineup is expected to consist of the standard Xiaomi 17 and this Ultra model, mirroring a streamlined flagship strategy.
Confirmed Specs: No Compromises on Power
The Geekbench entry confirms what many hoped: the global Xiaomi 17 Ultra will not compromise on its core performance. At its heart remains the formidable Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset, ensuring it will compete directly with other 2026 Android flagships.
In a welcome move for software purists, the device is listed as running Android 16 out of the box. This gives it a significant software advantage over recent global Xiaomi releases, like the Xiaomi 15T Pro, which launched with an older OS.
Perhaps most encouraging for power users is the RAM confirmation. The listing shows the device equipped with 16 GB of RAM, suggesting Xiaomi plans to offer its peak memory configuration globally—a practice that isn't always guaranteed. It remains unclear if a more affordable 12 GB variant will also be available outside China.
The official Geekbench AI benchmark run can be viewed here, providing a detailed look at the device's computational performance.
Launch Timeline and Market Expectations
A Geekbench listing of this nature typically indicates that a launch is not far off. Industry whispers now suggest we might see the Xiaomi 17 Ultra make its global debut in mid to late February. This would be a slight surprise, as many anticipated a reveal during MWC 2026 in early March.
Noted leaker Abhishek Yadav, who often provides early insights into Xiaomi's plans, shared the finding on social media, adding credibility to the timeline. His track record with Xiaomi leaks has been notably reliable in the past.
One Notable Compromise
The news isn't entirely without a caveat. Reliable sources indicate that, likely due to regional regulations or certification processes, the global version of the Xiaomi 17 Ultra will feature a slightly capped battery capacity compared to its Chinese counterpart. The exact size reduction is not yet confirmed, but it's a factor potential buyers will want to consider.
What This Means for Consumers
The arrival of the Xiaomi 17 Ultra globally would significantly shake up the early 2026 flagship market. Its proven camera system—historically a strong point for the Ultra series—combined with the latest chipset and Android version, makes it a compelling alternative to offerings from Samsung, Google, and OnePlus.
For those currently in the market, the existing Xiaomi 15T Pro remains available on Amazon at a competitive price, but this new leak suggests waiting a few more weeks could provide a far more advanced option.
As always, until Xiaomi makes an official announcement, details are subject to change. However, the Geekbench appearance is the strongest signal yet that the global flagship gap is about to be closed.
