Recently, a report has surfaced according to which Xiaomi is once again set to push the limits of smartphone photography. The company’s senior executive, Lu Weibing, has confirmed that the upcoming Xiaomi 17 Ultra will see a major camera upgrade, especially in terms of the telephoto lens. This upgrade is not just incremental; rather, it is considered a direct leap that takes flagship camera performance to the next level.
Let us tell you that the telephoto lens of the Xiaomi 17 Ultra will now come with Leica APO (Apochromatic) certification, which is usually seen in professional-grade optics. This is the reason why there is a lot of excitement among camera enthusiasts regarding this update. So now, let us understand everything we know so far about this camera upgrade.
Leica APO Telephoto Lens: What’s Special?
The new telephoto lens being used in the Xiaomi 17 Ultra is said to be almost 2× more expensive compared to the telephoto sensor of the previous generation, i.e., the Xiaomi 15 Ultra. This clearly indicates that Xiaomi is focusing not on cost-cutting this time, but purely on camera quality.
It should be noted that the biggest advantage of APO optics is that they focus different wavelengths of light more accurately. This has a direct impact on image quality, where common issues like purple fringing and green fringing are significantly reduced. Overall, the camera upgrade of the phone is confirmed, but with this upgrade, an increase in the phone’s price is also expected.
Big Improvement in High-Zoom Photography
In telephoto cameras, edges often become soft or colors start to distort at high zoom levels. But Xiaomi claims that with the Leica APO-certified telephoto lens:
- Images will be sharper and more detailed
- Edges will appear cleaner, especially in zoom shots
- Colors will look more natural and true to life
Let us tell you that this upgrade will be especially useful for users who like to capture wildlife, portraits, or long-range shots using a smartphone. By the way, what is your opinion about the Xiaomi 17 Ultra camera upgrade? Do let us know through the comments.
Why Is This Important for Mobile Photography Enthusiasts?
In today’s time, flagship smartphones do not compete only on performance, but also on camera experience. In such a scenario, this camera upgrade of the Xiaomi 17 Ultra shows that the company now wants to bring smartphone telephoto imaging closer to professional camera optics.
Moreover, APO optics are generally used in high-end DSLR and mirrorless lenses, and bringing them to the Xiaomi 17 Ultra reflects Xiaomi’s serious intent.
Phone Jagat Analysis: Xiaomi’s Clear Message
According to our (Phone Jagat) analysis, through the Xiaomi 17 Ultra, the company is clearly conveying that it does not want to make any compromise in camera hardware. Let us tell you that with the Leica APO telephoto lens, Xiaomi is focusing not just on numbers, but more on real-world image quality.
If Xiaomi also maintains software optimization at the same level as the hardware, then the Xiaomi 17 Ultra could become one of the most powerful camera smartphones of 2026. We would also like to know your opinion—do share your thoughts with us in the comments.
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