Xiaomi has officially wrapped up 2025 with a major flagship launch in Beijing, unveiling the Xiaomi 17 Ultra alongside two key ecosystem products: the Xiaomi Watch 5 Series and Xiaomi Buds 6.
These three launches reinforce the firm’s ambition to deliver a tightly integrated premium ecosystem spanning smartphones, wearables, and personal audio.
Xiaomi 17 Ultra: A Flagship Built Around Imaging Excellence
The Xiaomi 17 Ultra is the star of the launch and the first device developed under Xiaomi and Leica’s new Strategic Co-creation Model. This deeper collaboration brings Leica’s optical philosophy into the product from day one, rather than as a post-design tuning effort.
Design and Display
These devices come with a Ultra formula with a slimmer and more ergonomic build:
- Flat display for the first time in the Ultra lineup
- Ultra-thin bezels with a clean, linear design
- Just 8.29mm thick, making it the thinnest Xiaomi Ultra to date
- Micro-curved aluminum alloy frame for better grip
The phone features a 120Hz LTPO display with up to 3500 nits peak brightness, protected by Xiaomi Shield Glass 3.0, offering significantly improved drop resistance.
Leica-Powered Triple Camera System
Photography is where the Xiaomi 17 Ultra truly stands out:
- 14mm ultra-wide camera for landscapes
- 23mm Leica 1-inch main camera with Light Fusion sensor and LOFIC HDR
- 200MP Leica APO telephoto camera with 75–100mm optical zoom
The telephoto system uses a large 1/1.4″ sensor and advanced lens movement to deliver true optical zoom without digital cropping. Leica APO optics dramatically reduce chromatic aberration, earning the device Leica APO certification—a first for the firm.
Low-light performance, highlight control, and color accuracy are all noticeably improved, especially in night and high-contrast scenes.
Performance, Battery, and Connectivity
Under the hood, the 17 Ultra checks every flagship box:
- Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor
- Advanced IceLoop cooling with improved thermal efficiency
- Massive 6800mAh battery
- 90W wired, 50W wireless, and universal PD fast charging
Connectivity is equally impressive, with support for 51 global 4G/5G bands, UWB digital car key functionality, and IP66 / IP68 / IP69 dust and water resistance.
Watch 5 Series: Smarter Health Tracking in a Refined Package
The Xiaomi Watch 5 Series continues to focus on practical, reliable wearables that integrate seamlessly with its smartphones.
Key highlights include:
- Enhanced heart-rate and sleep tracking
- Multiple sports and fitness modes
- Improved battery efficiency for multi-day usage
- Tight integration with HyperOS
The Watch 5 Series is designed to be both a fitness companion and an everyday smartwatch, offering a balanced mix of health insights, comfort, and long battery life.
Buds 6: Everyday Audio Made Better
Completing the trio, the Xiaomi Buds 6 focus on delivering refined sound quality and convenience for daily use.
Notable features include:
- Improved audio tuning for balanced sound
- AI-powered noise reduction for clearer calls
- Comfortable, lightweight design
- Seamless pairing and low-latency performance
When paired with the Xiaomi 17 Ultra, the Buds 6 benefit from deeper ecosystem optimization, making them ideal for calls, media, and gaming.
Final Thoughts
With the launch of the Xiaomi 17 Ultra, Xiaomi Watch 5 Series, and Xiaomi Buds 6, the Chinese firm is clearly positioning itself as a premium ecosystem brand rather than just a smartphone manufacturer. The 17 Ultra stands out as one of the most camera-focused flagship phones of the year, while the Watch 5 Series and Buds 6 round out a well-integrated lineup for everyday users.