Xiaomi Introduces Leica Leitzphone Featuring Rotating Camera Ring and 200MP Telephoto Lens
At a launch event held in Barcelona, Xiaomi officially introduced the Xiaomi 17 and Xiaomi 17 Ultra to global markets. The announcement was part of a broader showcase that featured a variety of additional devices and innovations. Among the other products revealed during the presentation was the Leica Leitzphone.
It’s important to clarify that this isn’t one of the Japan exclusive Leitz Phones produced by Sharp. Instead, it serves as the global counterpart to the China exclusive Xiaomi 17 Ultra Leica Edition that we have already reviewed. The primary difference between them comes down to the size of the battery.
Battery capacity is one of the key distinctions between the two models. The Xiaomi 17 Ultra Leica Edition houses a 6,800 mAh battery whereas the Leica Leitzphone relies on a 6,000 mAh cell, identical to the one used in the international Xiaomi 17 Ultra. In addition, the device is offered in just one memory configuration pairing 16GB of RAM with 1TB of storage and it is available exclusively in black.
In terms of appearance, the Leica Leitzphone comes with a solid black back panel differing from the Xiaomi 17 Ultra Leica Edition’s two tone design. Another noticeable change is that the Leica logo and the text on the camera module have been turned 90 degrees. Meanwhile, the Xiaomi logo has been relocated to the middle of the device’s back.
Beyond design and battery capacity, the Leica Leitzphone shares the same core hardware as the Xiaomi 17 Ultra Leica Edition. Under the hood, it packs the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset and operates on Xiaomi HyperOS 3. The device also features a 6.9 inch 1,200p “HyperRGB OLED” display with Dolby Vision support and an impressive peak brightness of 3,500 nits. Notably, this is an LTPO panel that supports an adaptive refresh rate ranging from 1Hz to 120Hz.
For photography enthusiasts, the Leica Leitzphone features a total of four cameras. The front facing camera boasts a 50MP sensor, ideal for capturing detailed selfies. On the rear the triple camera system consists of a 50MP 1 inch primary sensor a 200MP telephoto camera with an adjustable aperture ranging from f/2.39 to f/2.96 and a focal length of 75–100mm and a 50MP ultrawide camera for wide angle shots. All three rear cameras were co-developed in collaboration with Leica to deliver professional grade imaging performance.
The Leica Leitzphone also includes a unique physical feature on the back: a rotating Leica Camera Ring built into the camera island which allows users to adjust zoom levels and exposure settings with precision. Moreover the smartphone comes equipped with Leica Essential mode a feature designed to help users reproduce the iconic photographic look and exceptional image quality of legendary Leica cameras including the Leica M3 and M9 offering a truly professional mobile photography experience.
The Leica Leitzphone offers fast charging options with 90W wired and 50W wireless support. It carries an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance and features an ultrasonic in-display fingerprint scanner for secure biometric authentication. The device deliver premium audio through Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio compatibility (wired and wireless) and dual stereo speakers.
The Leica Leitzphone is compatible with the Xiaomi 17 Ultra Photography Kit Pro which features a 2,000 mAh battery. This accessory is available in black and carries a recommended retail price of €199.99. The Leitzphone itself carries a significantly higher price, retailing for €1,999 in Europe and £1,699 in the United Kingdom.
