Xiaomi 17 Ultra captures the beauty of Phu Quoc island in Vietnam

Xiaomi recently invited us to the picturesque Vietnamese island of Phú Quốc to test the camera capabilities of its new flagship smartphone, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra. The island provided a vibrant and diverse backdrop for putting the phone's impressive camera system through its paces.

The Xiaomi 17 Ultra boasts an impressive array of cameras on the back, including a 50MP main camera, a 50MP ultra-wide camera, and a standout 200MP telephoto camera with a variable 3.2x to 4.3x optical zoom range. We captured all the photos below using the phone's camera app in JPEG format, with some shots utilizing in-camera filters. The images toggle between the default Leica Vibrant mode and the more muted Leica Authentic mode.

Let's start with the star of the show - the 200MP telephoto camera. On our first day, we visited Grand World along the northern coast, a tourist attraction modeled after Venice with European influences. The Leica Vibrant mode really made the flamboyant buildings surrounding the central canal pop with stunning color. While the 3.2x-4.3x optical zoom range felt a bit limited at times, switching to the 8x mode produced exceptionally usable results.

Later, we drove to the southern tip of the island, which also featured European architectural influences. Highlights included the stunning Kiss Bridge, split in the middle and requiring couples to meet in the middle, and the Dragon Staircase snaking upwards through a wall of vines. The day ended with the Kiss of the Sea show, projecting moving images on a wall of water with live performances underneath, followed by a breathtaking fireworks show.

On the second day, we ventured to Rạch Vệm in the northern tip and took a short boat ride to Starfish Beach. This cozy beach area boasts crystal clear shallow waters and is dotted with hundreds of thousands of starfish along the coastline. The day wrapped up with a fire dance show back at the hotel.

A special mention must be made of the gorgeous school of koi in the hotel's lobby area - a perfect subject for the telephoto camera.

We also captured some images using the main 50MP camera. While not as numerous as the telephoto shots, this is more due to the sheer fun of using the telephoto to get striking close-ups rather than any lack of quality from the main camera. It's a capable shooter, and switching to a different aspect ratio can yield some interesting-looking shots.

Finally, here are some shots from the 50MP ultra-wide camera. While not the sharpest camera in the world, it offers a more interesting perspective than the main wide-angle camera, with reasonably good image quality and color performance that meets the high standards of this phone.

Xiaomi also provided us with the Photography Kit for the Xiaomi 17 Ultra, which includes a case and grip that transform the phone into a point-and-shoot camera. However, we ultimately chose to use the phone in its naked form to see how well it would hold up without augmentations. While the Photography Kit is a nice addition for serious mobile photographers, we found that the phone handles quite well even without it, thanks to its generous proportions and easy-to-use UI.

In conclusion, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra proved to be an excellent tool for capturing the beauty of Phú Quốc island. Its versatile camera system, particularly the impressive telephoto camera, allowed us to capture stunning images in a variety of settings and lighting conditions. While there's no shortage of great camera phones on the market today, if you're looking for a device that excels in both camera performance and overall phone functionality, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra should definitely be at the top of your shopping list.