Xiaomi 17 Ultra Photography Kit and Photography Kit Pro hands-on

Today, we're taking a look at the latest photography kits: the Xiaomi 17 Ultra Photography Kit and the Photography Kit Pro. Both add true manual control to the Xiaomi 17 Ultra and are focused on expanding its imaging prowess, not on adding external lenses.

Let's start with the Pro kit. It's all based around a quality magnetic case for the Xiaomi 17 Ultra, which has a detachable filter thread, a regular filter ring, a rotatable filter adapter ring, the photography grip pro, a red wrist strap, and two soft shutter buttons - a red and a black one.

One of the filter rings has a thread for attaching 67mm filters, like a circular polarizer (pictured below), or an ND or pro mist filter. Both filters work with the rotating camera ring on the Leica Leitzphone by Xiaomi (and the Chinese Xiaomi 17 Ultra) - you can rotate it when the case is on and control zoom and exposure.

The camera grip attaches to the Xiaomi 17 Ultra via USB-C and supports Xiaomi's 90W HyperCharge. By default, the built-in 2,000mAh battery of the grip will charge the phone if its battery falls below 20%.

You lose the MagSafe support when you've connected the grip to the case - there simply isn't room to place a charger on the back of the phone. Once you've attached the grip to the phone inside the case, you can lock the grip and the case with a small lever on the grip.

In terms of controls, you get a two-stage shutter (half-press to lock focus, press down to shoot), a zoom lever around the shutter, a small video button, and a dial, which can be customized to control exposure compensation, filters, ISO, shutter speed, or white balance. The grip has a very thoughtful design with a small but convenient thumb rest implemented at the back. It helps tremendously with one-handed operation.

You can use the Xiaomi 17 Ultra's fastshot mode with the Photography Kit Pro - just enable Quick Launch in the phone's settings, select Fastshot for the camera mode, and choose Quick Snap (grip). Then, you can wake up the phone and take a quick shot with a press of the shutter button. Fastshot mode is a street photography-aimed mode that snaps a photo at a predefined focal length in under a second.

The case and grip are both IP54 weather-protected against dust and water splashes. There's also a nice grippy texture on the case itself, which helps with grip security.

The non-Pro kit is essentially a case with an integrated grip. You also get a two-pin charger and a strap. There's no USB connection here, and instead, you pair the kit to the Xiaomi 17 Ultra via Bluetooth. Because the grip is always present, this case lacks MagSafe-like magnets. The grip has two buttons - a video button and a two-stage shutter button. It's less pronounced than the circular shutter button on the Pro kit and lacks a zoom lever, but it's still a tactile and fun way to snap photos on your phone. The non-Pro kit also supports Xiaomi's Fastshot mode.

The case has a 270mAh built-in battery that you charge with the two-pin cable. We would've loved a way to charge the case through the phone, but that would've likely meant a thicker case.

The Xiaomi 17 Ultra Photography Kit Pro comes in Black, while the Photography Kit is available in Black, White, and Purple. The Photography Kit Pro is €200, while the non-Pro is around €140, but is harder to find in most markets.

These photography kits represent Xiaomi's strategy to bridge the gap between smartphone photography and dedicated camera systems. By adding physical controls, filter compatibility, and ergonomic grips, they're targeting enthusiasts who want more tactile control over their mobile photography without carrying a separate camera.

The IP54 rating on both kits is particularly noteworthy, as it provides weather protection that many photographers will appreciate when shooting in challenging conditions. The ability to use the rotating camera ring with filters attached is also a clever integration that maintains the phone's native functionality while expanding creative possibilities.

For those considering the upgrade, the Photography Kit Pro offers more comprehensive features including the USB-C connected grip with its own battery, more control options, and the ability to use 67mm filters. The non-Pro version provides a more affordable entry point with basic grip functionality and Bluetooth connectivity.

Both kits support Xiaomi's Fastshot mode, which could be particularly appealing to street photographers and anyone who needs to capture spontaneous moments quickly. The ability to wake the phone and shoot in under a second with a physical button press is a significant advantage over touchscreen-only operation.

At €200 for the Pro version and €140 for the non-Pro, these accessories represent a substantial investment on top of the already premium-priced Xiaomi 17 Ultra. However, for photography enthusiasts who frequently use their phone as their primary camera, the added controls and functionality could justify the cost.

The availability issue with the non-Pro version is worth noting - if you're interested in the more affordable option, you may need to shop around or wait for wider distribution.

These photography kits join a growing trend of smartphone manufacturers creating accessories that transform their devices into more camera-like tools. As smartphone cameras continue to improve and approach the quality of dedicated cameras, accessories like these help bridge the remaining gaps in user experience and creative control.