Xiaomi 17 Ultra to launch globally today: New name, how to watch livestream and more expected details

Xiaomi is set to launch the Xiaomi 17 Ultra in global markets today. The Chinese smartphone maker took to its Spanish X (formerly Twitter) account to announce that the device will be making its global debut under a new name at its launch event in Barcelona.

The Xiaomi 17 Ultra Leica Edition, previously unveiled in China, will now be launched globally as the Leica Leitzphone powered by Xiaomi. The launch will take place alongside the Xiaomi 17 series devices and the Xiaomi Pad 8 tablet. The launch event is scheduled to take place in Barcelona, but details regarding a launch in India are yet to be revealed.The international version is said to incorporate all the hardware features of its Chinese counterpart, including the Leica-focused camera system and a round rear camera module.

The device is also likely to incorporate minor design changes, such as a different rear finish and Leica branding. The live stream of the event for global audiences is scheduled for today at 6:30 PM IST (2 PM local time).In its announcement post on X, Xiaomi wrote (translated from Spanish): “Inspired by Leica's century of light and shadow and forged after four years of collaboration, the Leica Leitzphone powered by Xiaomi takes mobile photography a step further. Tune in to the Xiaomi launch to witness the birth of a new legend. February 28 · 2:00 PM."

Xiaomi 17 Ultra to launch as Leica Leitzphone for global markets: What to expect

According to a report by Phandroid, the Leica Leitzphone powered by Xiaomi may not be a simple rebrand of the Chinese model, as it is expected to include a few design changes.

The global variant is expected to replace the two-tone rear finish with a uniform dark grey panel, and the Leica branding on the circular camera module may be rotated. The mechanical zoom ring around the camera module, which allows users to manually adjust zoom, exposure, and white balance, is expected to remain.If the specifications remain the same as the Chinese version, the device will feature a 6.9-inch LTPO AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and will run on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor. The Leica-tuned camera setup is expected to include a 50MP main sensor, a 50MP ultra-wide lens and a 200MP periscope telephoto camera with continuous optical zoom. The phone may also pack a 6,800mAh battery with support for 90W wired and 50W wireless charging.While Leica has released Leitz Phones in the past, those models were developed by Sharp for the Japanese market. It is important to note that the Leica Leitzphone, powered by Xiaomi, is a separate product developed under the partnership between Xiaomi and Leica.In China, the 16GB + 512GB version launched at CNY 7,999 (around Rs 1,06,000), suggesting it will be positioned in the premium segment if similar pricing is followed globally.