Xiaomi 16 Ultra to debut Leica camera with true optical zoom and 200 MP, says trusted leaker
Those who’ve been following certain subreddits or Weibo accounts in recent weeks may have come across early details about the Xiaomi 16 Ultra’s seemingly impressive specs. However, these speculations lack support from reliable sources – until now. Digital Chat Station, a prominent leaker with a strong track record, has entered the conversation with concrete information about potential upgrades to the next Leica flagship smartphone camera. This follows an earlier leak suggesting that radical changes could be coming to the Xiaomi 16 Ultra in 2026.
Xiaomi’s upcoming flagship phone was previously said to feature a triple-camera setup instead of a quad-camera system, though details at that time seemed quite murky and perplexing. Digital Chat Station has now filled in the missing piece of information, which, if accurate, could represent a new milestone in mobile photography. According to the leak, Sony may soon lose its status as the only brand to offer smartphones with true optical zoom. Even better: rather than relying on a 12 MP sensor like those found on the Xperia 1 VI and VII, Xiaomi will reportedly pair its first continuous periscope zoom lens with a 200 MP sensor, similar to the one used on the Xiaomi 15 Ultra.
Details on Xiaomi 16 Ultra's camera setup
More intriguing details can be found in the comments (see below) under Digital Chat Station’s Weibo post (which has, in typical DCS fashion, been completely edited). The zoom action is expected to be exceptionally smooth between two telephoto positions, though the exact focal lengths remain unknown. In any case, the leaker also shared details clarifying what the Xiaomi 16 Ultra’s triple-cam setup might look like. Alongside an ultrawide camera, the phone will reportedly include a main camera with a medium focal length and in-sensor zoom (possibly around 2x). Earlier leaks also suggest that the main shooter will feature a 1-inch sensor. Meanwhile, the 3x and 4.3x telephoto lenses on the current Xiaomi 15 Ultra are expected to be replaced by the new zoom camera, which may also incorporate in-sensor zoom at higher magnifications (likely around 10x), leveraging its rumoured 200 MP sensor.
Although Digital Chat Station is generally regarded as a reliable source, this information should be viewed with caution, especially considering the Xiaomi 16 Ultra's launch may still be seven to eight months away. The Xiaomi 16 Ultra was officially confirmed a few days ago, sparking speculations about an earlier release. Nevertheless, the company could still revise its plans several times before then. Incidentally, there were also rumours over the weekend that the iPhone 17 Pro may be getting continuous zoom.
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