Xiaomi 17 series launched with top-tier Snapdragon chip, Leica-tuned cameras

Xiaomi Corporation, the world’s third-largest phone brand, officially released its flagship Xiaomi 17 series in the Philippines on Monday, powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip and featuring a camera system co-engineered with renowned camera brand Leica.

The base model, Xiaomi 17, starts at P53,999 for the 12 GB + 256 GB variant and P55,999 for the 12 GB + 512 GB variant. Its bigger sibling, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra, is priced at P99,999 with 16 GB + 512 GB storage. The new series is available at official Xiaomi stores and on the e-commerce platform Shopee.

Louise Klarke So, marketing manager for Xiaomi Philippines, said that a highlight of the series is the continued partnership with Leica, co-engineering the camera systems—a feature first seen in its predecessor.

“We are launching the Xiaomi 17 series, our latest flagship smartphone that brings essential life-like imagery with powerful camera systems and so much more,” Mr. So said during the local launch event in Manila.

The Xiaomi 17 Ultra, dubbed the “Master of Night” for its enhanced low-light capabilities, is equipped with a 50 MP 23mm main camera powered by the Light Fusion 1050L sensor and LOFIC HDR technology for improved dynamic range. Like the rest of the device’s cameras, it features optical image stabilization (OIS). The flagship also comes with a 200 MP Leica 75–100mm telephoto lens that supports 30 cm macro photography, along with a 50 MP 14mm ultra-wide camera.

Meanwhile, the Xiaomi 17 offers a versatile Leica imaging system with OIS across its rear cameras, including a 50 MP 23mm main camera using the Light Fusion 950 sensor, a 50 MP 60mm floating telephoto lens with 10  cm macro support, and a 50 MP ultra-wide camera at 17mm equivalent. Both devices boast a 50 MP front camera and support up to 8K video recording.

Both phones are powered by Qualcomm’s most powerful 3 -nanometer Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, delivering high-performance performance. Battery capacity for the Ultra is 6,000 mAh, supporting 90 W wired charging and 50 W wireless charging, while the base model has a 6,330 mAh battery with 100 W wired charging and 50 W wireless charging.

Both devices feature OLED displays capable of 3,500 nits peak brightness, HDR10+, and Dolby Vision. The Xiaomi 17 Ultra comes in Black, Starlit Green, and White, while the Xiaomi 17 is available in Black, Alpine Pink, Ice Blue, and Venture Green.

OTHER XIAOMI PRODUCTS LAUNCHED
Xiaomi also unveiled its latest Pad series, along with AIoT and lifestyle products. Both the Xiaomi Pad 8 Pro and Pad 8 feature an 11.2‑inch display with a 144 Hz refresh rate and a sleek, ultra-thin design.

The Xiaomi Pad 8 Pro retails at P38,999 (8 GB + 256 GB variant) and is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite Mobile Platform with 67 W wired charging. The Pad 8, priced at P29,999 (same storage), is powered by the Snapdragon 8s Gen 4.

Xiaomi launched the Ultra-Thin Magnetic Power Bank, measuring only 6 mm thick and weighing 98 g, with a 5,000 mAh battery and 15 W charging, priced from P3,699.

For the mobility line, the Xiaomi Electric Scooter 6 Ultra, priced at P46,999, features a 1,200 W motor, Boost mode, 12‑inch all-terrain tires, and a maximum range of 75 km.

Other devices include the Xiaomi Watch 5 (P18,999) with Wear OS and Google Gemini for advanced health and fitness tracking, the Xiaomi Tag (P899) with up to one year of battery life, and the Redmi Buds 8 Pro (P3,999) featuring Dolby Audio, active noise cancellation, and up to 33 hours of total playback. — Edg Adrian A. Eva