Xiaomi and Leica have announced an upgraded partnership through a joint letter as a significant evolution in their collaboration ahead of the Xiaomi 17 series global launch. This shift emphasizes deeper co-creation that returns to the soul of Essential Leica Imagery.
Partnership Evolution
Xiaomi and Leica’s partnership, now in its fourth year, has progressed from joint R&D to what they call a “strategic co-creation model.” Their joint letter highlights Leica’s deeper integration of optics, aesthetics, and UI concepts into Xiaomi’s development process. The teaser page talks about setting new standards in mobile imaging optics.
The Xiaomi 17 Ultra is the first product under this model and is expected to feature advanced Leica APO telephoto lenses and a 1-inch main sensor.
Key Imaging Upgrades
The letter highlights Leica’s role in elevating the overall camera tuning. This promises professional-grade results, building on past successes while introducing new calibration standards. The result is expected to rival dedicated cameras in versatility and quality.
Countdown to Launch
The Xiaomi 17 series, led by the Xiaomi 17 Ultra alongside the vanilla Xiaomi 17, is set to launch globally on February 28, 2026, in Barcelona. Reports indicate that both devices will house smaller batteries than their Chinese counterparts. To be specific, that’s a 6,330mAh battery for the Xiaomi 17, and a 6000mAh battery for the Ultra.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What is the new partnership model between Xiaomi and Leica?
A: A “strategic co-creation model” with Leica integrating optics, aesthetics, and UI from early development stages.
Q: Which device debuts this upgraded collaboration?
A: The Xiaomi 17 Ultra, expected to debut with Leica APO telephoto lenses and 1-inch main sensor.
Q: When is the Global Launch of the Xiaomi 17 Series?
A: February 28, at MWC in Barcelona.
Emman has been writing technical and feature articles since 2010. Prior to this, he became one of the instructors at Asia Pacific College in 2008, and eventually landed a job as Business Analyst and Technical Writer at Integrated Open Source Solutions for almost 3 years.
