Xiaomi 17 Ultra Camera Falls Short of iPhone 17 Pro in DxOMark Rankings

The Xiaomi 17 Ultra, set to launch in Europe this March, has received its DxOMark camera score, and while the results are solid, they fall short of the top contenders in the smartphone photography arena.

The device achieved a total score of 166 points, which places it in sixth position in DxOMark's current smartphone rankings. This score puts it behind the Apple iPhone 17 Pro, which sits comfortably in fourth place with 168 points, and significantly behind the Huawei Pura 70 Ultra, which dominates the leaderboard with 175 points.

Video Performance: The Critical Weakness

The primary reason for the Xiaomi 17 Ultra's lower ranking compared to the iPhone 17 Pro lies in its video capabilities. DxOMark identified several issues that prevent the Xiaomi from matching Apple's video performance:

• Auto exposure inconsistencies: The exposure varies between individual frames, creating a less stable viewing experience
• White balance fluctuations: Color temperature shifts occur during video recording
• Focus transition problems: The autofocus system doesn't produce smooth focus changes, resulting in a jittery overall image

These video-related issues are particularly significant because they directly impact the user experience during one of the most common use cases for modern smartphone cameras.

Group Photo Challenges

Another notable weakness identified by DxOMark concerns group photography. The Xiaomi 17 Ultra struggles to keep all subjects in focus during group shots, a limitation directly tied to its impressive but challenging hardware configuration.

The Hardware Trade-off

The Xiaomi 17 Ultra features a 50MP f/1.7 main camera with a large 1-inch sensor. While this sensor size delivers excellent image quality with fine details and low noise levels, it also creates a shallow depth of field. This shallow depth of field is the root cause of the group photo focusing issues.

A variable aperture could potentially solve this problem by allowing users to adjust the depth of field based on their shooting needs. However, Xiaomi chose not to include this feature in the 17 Ultra, likely as a design decision to maintain the camera's sleek profile and reduce complexity.

Where Xiaomi Excels

Despite these challenges, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra's camera system performs admirably in most situations. DxOMark praised several aspects of the camera's performance:

• Image quality: Pictures show fine details with minimal image noise
• Color accuracy: Colors appear natural and true-to-life
• Portrait mode: The bokeh simulation in Portrait mode is convincing and well-executed
• Telephoto performance: The 200MP periscope telephoto camera delivers excellent results in the 75-100mm focal length range
• Zoom capabilities: The continuous zoom from 75mm to 100mm works smoothly, aided by the relatively large 1/1.4-inch sensor

The Sensor Advantage

The large 1-inch sensor proves particularly beneficial when it comes to image noise. In low-light conditions and challenging lighting scenarios, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra maintains cleaner images with less noise compared to many competitors with smaller sensors.

Market Context

As the Xiaomi 17 Ultra prepares for its European launch in March, these camera test results provide valuable context for potential buyers. While the device doesn't claim the top spot in DxOMark's rankings, its overall camera performance remains competitive, especially considering its strengths in still photography and telephoto capabilities.

The two-point difference between the Xiaomi 17 Ultra and the iPhone 17 Pro suggests that both devices offer excellent camera systems, with each having distinct strengths and weaknesses. The Xiaomi excels in still photography and telephoto performance, while the iPhone maintains its advantage in video recording and group photo focus.

The smartphone camera market continues to evolve rapidly, with manufacturers constantly pushing the boundaries of what's possible with mobile photography. The Xiaomi 17 Ultra represents another step forward in this ongoing innovation, even if it doesn't quite reach the pinnacle of DxOMark's rankings.

For consumers prioritizing video performance and reliable group photos, the iPhone 17 Pro may still be the better choice. However, those who value exceptional still image quality, particularly in telephoto shots, might find the Xiaomi 17 Ultra more appealing despite its video limitations.