Xiaomi 17 Extremely hands-on: Unbelievable cameras, however perhaps laborious to get

China’s largest telephone makers proceed to relentlessly forge forward with high-spec telephones that you could be by no means see within the US. With the Xiaomi 17 Extremely this 12 months, the corporate has continued its sample from earlier iterations by specializing in highly effective digicam sensors, large batteries and… being selective about international availability.

Xiaomi’s 17 sequence is launching throughout a number of European territories months after its Asia debut, however on the time of writing, no phrase but on US availability. One other logistical focal point? After we final checked out Xiaomi’s gadgets, it was the 15 sequence, and the corporate has determined to skip 16 and leap straight to 17, conveniently matching Apple’s newest quantity.

Storied digicam model Leica has been concerned with Xiaomi’s telephones for just a few years and its latest flagship doesn’t disappoint in that regard, as a result of that is one other Xiaomi gadget devoted to pictures.

Picture by Mat Smith for Engadget

The 17 Extremely has an enormous 1-inch 50-megapixel primary digicam sensor with a f/1.67 lens, and a telephoto setup with a 200MP 1/1.4-inch sensor and going as much as 4.3x optical zoom. Xiaomi claims it’s able to as much as 17x “optical-level zoom,” however high quality doesn’t measure as much as, say, the Oppo Discover X9, with its devoted telescopic lens add-on. There’s additionally a 50MP ultrawide digicam to spherical issues out.

The principle digicam could be very spectacular, delivering loads of element and performing extremely properly in low mild, seemingly earlier than any computational pictures kicks in. A brand new Gentle Fusion 1050L sensor options LOFIC HDR expertise, delivering stronger management over highlights and extra element in darker areas of your photographs. I've been impressed by the balanced colour tone and distinction, with out having to edit or add one of many (many) Leica digicam filters.

If something, the marginally heavy-handed algorithms can typically smash components of a shot. As an illustration, by scrambling lettering or capturing blurry, AI-mutated faces the place computational pictures takes a swing (and a miss) at individuals within the distance.

The telephoto digicam alone can be technically fascinating in just a few methods. It presents continuous optical zoom throughout the 75-100mm vary with out in-sensor cropping. This implies the lenses bodily transfer to ship lossless zoom throughout a variety of distances, with out jarring leaps between digicam sensors and crops. This doesn’t run throughout the complete gamut, but it surely does roughly cowl the 3-4x optical zoom vary, which is commonly utilized in portrait pictures.

The APO (apochromatic) lens design on the telephoto is extra instantly helpful and efficient. An APO lens considerably reduces chromatic aberration by focusing three wavelengths of sunshine (crimson, inexperienced and blue) onto the identical focal airplane. This lens design means it will possibly right colour fringing and enhance picture sharpness.

At greater zoom ranges, fringing and lighting bloom typically hamper telephoto images on smartphones, and Xiaomi’s answer has some attraction. I seen much less fringing than on different zoom-capable Android telephones from Samsung, Oppo and Google. It additionally helps macro pictures, however is hindered this time by a minimal focal distance of 30cm (11.8 inches). Most smartphone cameras’ macro modes allow you to get a lot nearer.

The 17 Extremely can seize as much as 8K video (at 30 fps), 4K Dolby Imaginative and prescient as much as 120 fps, and 4K 120 fps Log video, guaranteeing you’ll be able to profit from that massive 1-inch sensor in video, too. That stated, it appears to battle with stabilization at instances, whereas its low-light efficiency doesn’t match its prowess in nonetheless pictures, lagging behind flagship telephones from Apple, Google and Samsung.

There's additionally a particular Leica version of the 17 Extremely, which is basically the identical, specification-wise, however with a guide zoom ring across the digicam unit. It's a cool gimmick, however felt oddly free on just a few gadgets I've dealt with.

Xiaomi made just a few design modifications to its Extremely line this 12 months, with a brand new, fully flat show, and flattened edges that seem like a certain family of devices. In equity, it’s not the only company using imitation as flattery. There’s additionally IP68 safety towards mud and water.

Whereas cameras would be the spotlight, this can be a flagship gadget by any specification metric. With a 6.9-inch show, this expansive OLED show has variable refresh charges (1-120Hz) and peaks at 3,500 nits of brightness.

At that dimension, the Xiaomi 17 Extremely is within the territory of gadgets just like the iPhone 17 Professional Max and S26 Extremely. A telephone this dimension isn’t for everybody, however it’s the thinnest Extremely telephone from Xiaomi thus far, with a profile measuring 8.29mm. Xiaomi has additionally lowered the digicam unit’s diameter and raised it on the gadget, making it simpler to make use of and serving to hold fingers out of your photographs.

Additionally, I’d be remiss if I didn’t point out the massive 6,000mAh silicon-carbon battery, with help for Xiaomi’s 90W HyperCharge (if in case you have the correct charger) and 50W wi-fi HyperCharge (which additionally requires Xiaomi’s personal dock) speeds. Different telephone makers: Please put a battery this large in your flagship.

At MWC 2026, the corporate introduced the worldwide launch and rollout of the gadget throughout Europe, together with the UK the place the Extremely will begin priced at £1,299 (roughly $1,750). We're nonetheless ready to substantiate US availability and pricing.

Whereas the specs are highly effective, “launching” a flagship gadget that’s already been within the wild for just a few months — even when elsewhere on the planet — reduces the spectacle.

This text initially appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/cellular/smartphones/xiaomi-17-ultra-global-launch-hands-on-leica-camera-143006810.html?src=rss

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