Is importing the Xiaomi 17 Ultra a better deal than waiting for the official global launch?
Our review delivers a top rating for the successor of the Xiaomi 15 Ultra. Unlike its predecessor, however, the latest flagship phone from Xiaomi has not yet been officially launched globally.
The global version of the Xiaomi 17 Ultra will most likely have a similar recommended retail price as the 2025 flagship - namely in the price range of around 1,500 euros. As an import, the Chinese version is significantly cheaper. At our rental supplier Trading Shenzhen, the basic version with 512 GB of memory costs around 900 euros.
Sounds like a good deal, so an import from China could be attractive for some prospective buyers. However, with the introduction of the HyperOS user interface, there are more restrictions at Xiaomi than for Oppo or Vivo phones.
Xiaomi 17 Ultra with good coverage on LTE and 5G frequencies also in China
One disadvantage of our review unit with Chinese software is that Xiaomi does not offer a multi-language package like the Find X9 Pro. As a result, English is the only available system language outside of China, and Chinese characters are still embedded in the system. The bootloader cannot be opened easily under HyperOS, meaning that it is no longer possible to flash an alternative firmware, such as the xiaomi.eu ROM.
When importing the Chinese version of the Xiaomi 17 Ultra, be aware that it lacks eSIM support as well as compatibility with Android Auto and WearOS. However, there are no restrictions on LTE and 5G frequencies, meaning that a Xiaomi 17 Ultra is also compatible with mobile networks outside of China.
One advantage of the Chinese model is that a power adapter is included in the box.
Source(s)
review of the Xiaomi 17 Ultra
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