TL; DR
- Xiaomi confirms a Leica Edition of the 17 Ultra launching today in China, featuring a rotating Master Zoom Ring around the camera island for physical zoom control.
- The ring integrates with the phone’s 200 MP periscope telephoto and its continuous optical zoom (75–100 mm).
- There’s also a prominent red dot branding on the Leica variant.
On Christmas Day 2025, Xiaomi is unveiling the Xiaomi 17 Ultra in China, but it is the Leica Edition stealing the pre-launch attention. Official teasers shared on Weibo confirm a functional zoom ring built into the phone itself, something we have not seen executed in this way before on a mainstream smartphone.
Xiaomi calls it the Master Zoom Ring, and it wraps around the large circular camera module. It is not decorative. It turns like a real lens barrel, letting users adjust zoom physically rather than through the screen. The motion is mechanical and ties directly into optical zoom control, aiming to simulate a dedicated camera experience on a phone.
This mechanism pairs with the headline telephoto hardware. The Leica Edition uses a 200 MP single periscope telephoto, likely the Samsung HP9 since it is a 1/1.4-inch type sensor. It supports true continuous optical zoom across the 75 mm to 100 mm focal range, roughly 3.2X to 4.3X magnification. The aperture shifts from f/2.39 at the wider end to around f/2.96 at the longer end.
Visually, the Leica Edition sets itself apart. There is heavier Leica branding, a raised three dimensional red Leica dot, and a slightly more intricate finish to the camera housing. The overall layout is similar to the standard 17 Ultra, with a centered circular island, but the Leica variant leans harder into camera identity.
Full specifications and availability, including whether the Leica Edition will stay China exclusive or appear in global markets, will be confirmed later today. With the Master Zoom Ring, Xiaomi is signaling that the 17 Ultra Leica Edition is not just another variant, but a version designed specifically for users who want more than taps and sliders when composing a shot.
ALSO READ: Xiaomi 17 Ultra Set for Christmas Day Launch with 75-100mm Continuous Zoom Telephoto
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