Xiaomi 17 Ultra will hit the global market in early 2026

Xiaomi has confirmed the global release of the Xiaomi 17 Ultra: the flagship smartphone with a focus on mobile photography will launch outside of China in early 2026, tentatively in January or February.

The flagship smartphone will be available outside of China in early 2026, tentatively in January or February.

Xiaomi 17 Ultra is gearing up for an international launch a short time after its debut in China. The company has officially confirmed that the model will hit the global market earlier than expected. The manufacturer didn’t give an exact date, but the release window points to January or February 2026, which coincides with Xiaomi’s traditional announcement schedule and could mean a presentation during MWC 2026.

At the same time, Xiaomi’s launch window is expected to be January or February 2026.

The smartphone is positioned as a flagship with an emphasis on photography. At the heart of the concept is an attempt to bring mobile shooting capabilities closer to the level of a standalone camera. One of the key features of the device is said to be the use of a 1-inch sensor, as well as a 200MP periscope module. This set emphasizes the shift in competition towards the physical size of the sensor, not just the number of megapixels.

Complementing the camera-centric configuration is a 6,800 mAh battery – the exact same battery found in the Chinese version of the Xiaomi 17 Ultra. For a flagship smartphone, it’s noticeably above average and could solve one of the main problems with today’s top-end models – limited battery life while actively using the camera and screen.

Why the global release of the Xiaomi 17 Ultra is important

The Xiaomi 17 Ultra’s global release outside the Chinese market comes amid stagnant updates in the premium smartphone segment. Manufacturers are increasingly offering evolutionary improvements, while Xiaomi is betting on radical hardware features. Of particular interest is the possible international launch of the Leica Edition, previously available only in China.

Leica Edition could reportedly get a mechanical zoom ring and an eco-leather back panel. This approach adds tactile controls typical of professional cameras and bridges the gap between smartphone and classic photography gear. For mobile photography enthusiasts, this could be a key argument in favor of the device.

Mobile photography enthusiasts may find this a key argument in favor of the device.

In the global market, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra will compete with Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy S series flagships. Choosing between Samsung’s ecosystem and Xiaomi’s aggressive hardware approach becomes more difficult, especially for users for whom shooting quality comes first. The large battery also strengthens the model’s position, potentially setting a new benchmark for the premium segment.