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As you know, Xiaomi launched its flagship series (the Xiaomi 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max), a while back, and it received quite a good reception. But Xiaomi hasn’t stopped there, as many might presume. The company is now preparing to launch its actual flagship of the year: the Xiaomi 17 Ultra. The details we have aren’t finalized yet, but Smart Pikachu, a well-known and fairly reliable Chinese tipster, has shared some early insights. The company's reportedly ditching the quad-camera setup and focusing on optical quality over megapixel count—well, sort of. Let’s take a closer look.
Xiaomi 17 Ultra Rumors
Global Version
Although Xiaomi hasn’t officially confirmed it, the FCC has certified the global version of the Xiaomi 17 Ultra. Listed under model number 2512BPNDAG in the IMEI database, the “G” suffix indicates that this variant is intended for international markets. So yes, the device is going global!
Display and Design
As per previous rumors, Xiaomi is reportedly moving back to a flat display design for the 17 Ultra, ditching the curved screen used in earlier models. The phone's also expected to feature a "high-durability build", though no specifics on materials or drop protection haven't been confirmed yet, and we do not know what that means. There are no exact details regarding what display it's going to feature, but we can expect that for a phone like this, it will likely be a top-end WQHD+ AMOLED display with heavy brightness. Or perhaps like an M14 OLED that recently featured in iQOO 15? Well, I am less hopeful about that.
Performance
Since it's their flagship, it should be quite clear from the outset that, this thing will have to feature the best chipset money can buy. And that is none other than the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5. But to be clear, it's not even like the Ultra is the only phone to get this chipset, whereas the entire Xiaomi 17 lineup features this magnificent chipset. Similarly, Xiaomi is apparently going for a battery that ranges from 6000 to 7000 mAh. The Xiaomi 17 Pro Max already features a big 7500mAh battery, so let's see where it goes.
- Also, read
Camera
As i mentioned, yes, the 17 Ultra is supposedly dropping the quad-camera layout from the previous model and going with a triple-camera setup instead. But don't let that fool you, as this thing's still packing some serious hardware.
You're still looking at a 50MP primary sensor, likely the OmniVision OV50X, a massive 200MP periscope telephoto lens, and a 50MP ultra-wide shooter. So, what's more interesting here is Xiaomi's reported focus on optical purity. The company's apparently using a new Leica lens coating designed to improve light transmission while reducing glare and ghosting.
New rumors suggest the main sensor may be a 1-inch type sensor, which would make it one of the largest camera sensors in a flagship phone this year.
Rest of the Features
Security-wise, you're getting an ultrasonic fingerprint scanner embedded under the display. One interesting addition is the dual satellite communication support. That's still a relatively rare feature on smartphones, but it could come in handy in areas with poor cellular coverage. The 17 Ultra will also come with Android 16 and Xiaomi's HyperOS 3, plus support for 5G, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth LE, and wireless charging for connectivity.
Xiaomi 17 Ultra Rumors and Launch Date
Xiaomi hasn’t announced pricing or availability details for the 17 Ultra yet, but the device is rumored to launch in China on December 26. The global version has already been certified by the FCC, confirming that Xiaomi is planning an international release. The FCC listing shows the model number 2512BPNDAG, with the “G” indicating a global variant.
- Meanwhile, check out our review of the Xiaomi 15 Ultra
Article Last updated: December 17, 2025
