Xiaomi's Leica Leitzphone: A Premium Camera Phone with a Hefty Price Tag

Xiaomi has unveiled its latest ultra-premium smartphone, the Leica Leitzphone, a special edition device that celebrates Leica's 100th anniversary with distinctive design elements and camera features. The handset, which was previously available only in China as the Leica Edition, is now being released globally under this new name.

Design and Build Quality

The Leica Leitzphone marks a departure from the two-tone aesthetic of its Chinese counterpart, instead adopting a more understated black finish with silver accents. The device features a nickel-anodised aluminium housing that gives it a premium feel and appearance. One of the most noticeable design changes is the rotation of the Leica logos by 90 degrees compared to the Leica Edition.

Xiaomi has also incorporated a knurled dial on the side of the device, reminiscent of classic camera controls, which allows users to adjust zoom levels with tactile precision. This physical control adds to the camera-centric experience that Leica is known for.

Camera Capabilities

The camera system on the Leica Leitzphone remains consistent with the Leica Edition, featuring four distinct lenses:

• 50 MP primary camera
• 50 MP ultra-wide-angle camera
• 50 MP front-facing camera
• 200 MP telephoto camera

Additionally, the device includes Leica M3 and Leica M9 camera styles, which were carried over from the Leica Edition. These software features provide users with authentic Leica color profiles and shooting modes that mimic the company's legendary rangefinder cameras.

Hardware Specifications

Under the hood, the Leica Leitzphone shares the same hardware as the global Xiaomi 17 Ultra, making it a formidable competitor to other flagship devices. The specifications include:

• 6.9-inch AMOLED display with 1-120 Hz refresh rate
• Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset
• 6,000 mAh battery

These internals position the Leica Leitzphone to compete directly with premium devices like the X300 Ultra and Galaxy S26 Ultra, which currently retails for $1,299 on Amazon.

Pricing and Availability

Xiaomi has positioned the Leica Leitzphone as a true ultra-premium device, pricing it at €1,999 (approximately $2,359). This represents a €300 surcharge over the standard Xiaomi 17 Ultra, which is available in multiple configurations.

Interestingly, the Leica Leitzphone is only available in a single configuration: 16 GB of RAM paired with 1 TB of storage. This differs not only from the Leica Edition sold in China but also from the various configurations available for the global Xiaomi 17 and Xiaomi 17 Ultra models.

Market Positioning

The Leica Leitzphone represents Xiaomi's most ambitious attempt to capture the high-end smartphone market. By partnering with Leica and creating a special edition device with premium materials and unique design elements, Xiaomi is targeting photography enthusiasts and luxury smartphone buyers who might otherwise consider devices from Apple, Samsung, or dedicated camera manufacturers.

However, the €1,999 price point places it in direct competition with established flagship devices that have strong brand recognition and ecosystem advantages. Whether the Leica branding, unique design elements, and camera features justify the premium over the standard Xiaomi 17 Ultra remains to be seen.

For more detailed specifications and purchasing information, you can visit Xiaomi's official website.