Xiaomi 17 Ultra: Optical zoom confirmed by Leica camera screenshots

Months ago, some leakers already claimed that Xiaomi’s 200MP telephoto camera in the successor to the Xiaomi 15 Ultra would offer a true optical zoom, although there was no evidence for this until now. First screenshots and marketing material have now surfaced on the Chinese Weibo network that appear to confirm these specific rumors.

In the images below, in addition to the usual zoom positions of 0.6x, 1x and 2x, a range between 3x zoom and 4.3x zoom can also be seen, which seems to cover focal lengths between 70mm and 100mm and is complemented by another 8.6x zoom. In addition, a "Leica 200 MP continuous optical zoom" and "high-fidelity optical quality" are specifically mentioned, so Xiaomi is not offering a larger zoom range than on the Xiaomi 15 Ultra, but apparently a higher quality zoom.

According to Cartidise on X, the aperture changes from F/2.2 at 70mm to F/2.9 at 100mm zoom, and both are a slight downgrade compared to the predecessor. However, the 1/1.4-inch ISOCELL HPE sensor is a major upgrade compared to the 1/2.51-inch IMX858. One downside of the new zoom is apparently the loss of the telemacro function, although it’s unclear where the leaker obtained these details. Next week will probably be exciting for Xiaomi fans, as the China launch of the Xiaomi 17 Ultra will take place right during the Christmas season, presumably on December 25. A Leica APO lens as well as a new 1-inch sensor have also been confirmed.