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It's not just Apple and Samsung that like to have big phone announcements. Chinese tech company Xiaomi has unveiled its latest suite of products for the Aussie market, including the new 17 Series smartphone, which boasts Leica imaging tech.
The flagship Xiaomi 17 Ultra is clearly aiming for the mobile photography crown, featuring a massive 1-inch main camera sensor and a mechanical optical zoom.
By partnering with Leica, Xiaomi has prioritised image quality that looks more like a traditional camera and less like a processed smartphone snap.
We also see the arrival of the Leica Leitzphone, a device marking 100 years of the iconic camera brand that includes a physical "Camera Ring" dial to mimic the feel of a real lens.
Power and durability improvements
The 17 Series is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, which handles heavy tasks like 4K video recording and high-end gaming without breaking a sweat.
To keep these power-hungry chips running, Xiaomi has utilised high-density silicon-carbon batteries — technology typically found in electric vehicles — to squeeze up to 6,330 mAh of capacity into a slim frame.
The hardware is protected by what Xiaomi calls "Guardian Structure," featuring a new iteration of their Shield Glass that is 30% more drop-resistant than previous models.
All phones in the 17 Series carry an IP68 rating, meaning they are well-protected against dust and can survive a dip in freshwater up to six metres deep.
Smarter wearables and trackers
Alongside the phones, the Xiaomi Watch 5 brings Google Gemini and Wear OS to the wrist, allowing you to manage tasks or use Google Wallet for payments.
Its standout feature is the 930 mAh battery, which the brand claims can last up to 18 days in power-saving mode, effectively ending the "charge every night" routine.
Perhaps the most practical addition is the Xiaomi Tag, a small tracker to take on the AirTag that surprisingly supports both Apple's "Find My" and Google's "Android Find Hub" networks.
This makes it an excellent choice for households that use a mix of iPhones and Android devices, as you aren't locked into a single ecosystem.
Xiaomi 17 Series specs:
| Feature | Xiaomi 17 | Xiaomi 17 Ultra | Leica Leitzphone |
|---|---|---|---|
| Display | 6.3-inch OLED, 120Hz LTPO, 3500 nits | 6.9-inch OLED, 120Hz LTPO, 3500 nits | 6.9-inch OLED, 120Hz LTPO, 3500 nits |
| Processor | Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 | Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 | Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 |
| RAM/Storage | 12GB + 256GB / 512GB | 16GB + 512GB / 1TB | 16GB + 1TB |
| Battery | 6330mAh | 6000mAh | 6000mAh |
| Charging | 100W Wired, 50W Wireless | 90W Wired, 50W Wireless | 90W Wired, 50W Wireless |
| Main Camera | 50MP, f/1.67, OIS | 50MP (1-inch sensor), f/1.67, OIS | 50MP (1-inch sensor), f/1.67, OIS |
| Telephoto | 50MP (60mm), f/2.0, OIS | 200MP (75-100mm), f/2.39, OIS | 200MP (75-100mm), f/2.39, OIS |
| Ultra-Wide | 50MP, f/2.4 | 50MP, f/2.2 | 50MP, f/2.2 |
| OS | Xiaomi HyperOS 3 | Xiaomi HyperOS 3 | Xiaomi HyperOS 3 |
| Durability | IP68, Shield Glass | IP68, Shield Glass 3.0 | IP68, Shield Glass 3.0 |
Pricing and availability
The new Xiaomi range is available for purchase in Australia now.
- Xiaomi 17: $1,399 (256GB) or $1,599 (512GB).
- Xiaomi 17 Ultra: $1,799 (512GB) or $1,999 (1TB).
- Leica Leitzphone: $2,299 (1TB).
- Xiaomi Watch 5: $499.
- REDMI Buds 8 Pro: $119.
- Xiaomi Tag: $29.50 (single) or $99.50 (four-pack).
- Xiaomi UltraThin Magnetic Power Bank: $129 (Black/Silver) or $149 (Orange).
Introductory offers:
Customers who buy any 17 Series phone before 18 March can grab the Xiaomi Watch 5 for half price ($249).
Additionally, the Xiaomi Tag four-pack is discounted to $64.50 until 31 March.
