Xiaomi’s camera flagship, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra Leica Edition, looks set for a global release but not under that name. A certification filing in Thailand indicates the device will launch internationally as the Leica Leitzphone powered by Xiaomi, suggesting a branding shift as the company prepares to take the model beyond China.
The new name appeared in an NBTC listing, which confirms the global launch and moniker, and reveals the model number 25128PNA1G. A device with the same number has also shown up in the Geekbench AI database, revealing a Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor, 16GB of RAM, and Android 16. Xiaomi’s HyperOS 3 is expected to sit on top.
The Leitzphone name isn’t new. Leica has previously used it for a handful of niche smartphones in Japan through carrier partnerships. Bringing that branding to a Xiaomi flagship for wider markets suggests Leica is expanding the label beyond its earlier limited run and attaching it to a more mainstream premium device.
Under the hood, the Leica version is expected to mirror the standard Xiaomi 17 Ultra. Both offer a large 6.9-inch display, a triple-camera system, and flagship performance. The differences centre on the camera experience and design. The Leica variant will add Leica colour tuning, exclusive filters, and hardware touches such as a mechanical zoom ring for more tactile control. Leica-inspired finishes may also give it a more distinctive look.
Geekbench AI scores indicate solid on-device AI performance, particularly for tasks like image processing and real-time photo features. That reflects a wider shift towards AI processing for photography. Samsung’s Galaxy S Ultra phones emphasise zoom and AI editing tools, while Google’s Pixels rely on software processing. Xiaomi’s Leica tie-up sits somewhere in between, combining optical branding with software tuning.
The Leica-branded model is expected to carry a premium price over the standard Xiaomi 17 Ultra, as it does in China. For most buyers, the regular version should deliver the same core performance at a lower price. The Leica Leitzphone powered by Xiaomi will likely appeal to photography enthusiasts or those who want something visually distinct.
Xiaomi is rumoured to unveil the global Xiaomi 17 Ultra lineup on February 28th. If confirmed, the Leica-branded variant could help Xiaomi push further into the premium segment in markets such as India, where camera performance remains a major selling point.
Xiaomi 17 Ultra Images
