The Xiaomi 15 Ultra (from $1,220 on Amazon) is one of the most interesting camera flagship phones on the market. The Leica partnership not only results in extensive software adjustments, including several exclusive Leica filters, but the German camera specialist and Chinese tech giant Xiaomi also collaborated to develop the camera hardware.
The result is a pretty impressive quad camera system, led by a 50MP f/1.6 main camera with a 1-inch sensor and OIS. Xiaomi also opted for a 50MP f/2.2 ultrawide camera, a 50MP f/1.8 telephoto camera with a 1/2.51-inch sensor and macro mode. Most notably, the phone has a 200MP f/2.6 periscope telephoto camera with a large 1/1.4-inch sensor and 4.3x optical zoom. To celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Leica 1, the company's first mass-produced 35mm camera, Xiaomi has now unveiled a limited special edition of the Xiaomi 15 Ultra.
The handset comes in a large gift box, which also contains an exclusive "Xiaomi x Leica Humanistic Photography Series" photo book and a 90W USB-C charger. The smartphone itself features a silver back and gold accents on the frame and camera module. The golden frame is inscribed with "100 Years of Leica 1925 – 2025". According to Xiaomi, the paint of the gray frame should gradually wear off to show the metal underneath, which is a nod to classic black-painted Leica cameras.
The back features both the Xiaomi logo and the official "Leica 100" logo, which was specially developed for this anniversary. Xiaomi notes that this special edition is based on the global model of the Xaiomi 15 Ultra, however it was developed as a gift for Leica CEO Matthias Harsch, and will not be for sale.