Xiaomi keeps winning. The Xiaomi 17 series has just been announced and it’s taking us one step closer to the perfect flagship for 2026. Today we’re unpacking and reviewing the Xiaomi 17 and Xiaomi 17 Ultra—but which has a better value for money?
Unboxing Experience
Xiaomi strikes again. This time, the newly revealed Xiaomi 17 series of flagship smartphones are redefining expectations for what a flagship phone should be in 2026. Today we are taking an unboxing and hands-on look at the Xiaomi 17 and the Xiaomi 17 Ultra — and we will find out today: is the Ultra worth the premium, or is the ordinary Xiaomi 17 the better buy?
What’s in the box:
- Xiaomi 17 / 17 Ultra
- 120W fast charger (Ultra gets even faster charging support)
- USB-C cable
- SIM ejector tool
- Protective case (Ultra comes with a better one)
- Screen protector (pre-applied)
No charger complaints here — Xiaomi still includes the charger unlike many competitors.
Design & Build Quality
Summary:with a flat frame and glass back the Xiaomi 17 seems modern and clean. It’s also very comfortable despite being a flagship item.
Summary:with a flat frame and glass back the Xiaomi 17 seems modern and clean. It’s also very comfortable despite being a flagship item.
Winner: Xiaomi 17 Ultra for presence and premium feel.
Display: Both Impressive
- Xiaomi 17: 6.67-inch 1.5K AMOLED, 120Hz, 3200 nits peak brightness
- Xiaomi 17 Ultra: 6.73-inch 2K LTPO AMOLED, 165Hz, 4000 nits, micro-curved edges
Both displays are stunning with vibrant colors, perfect blacks, and ultra-smooth scrolling. The Ultra’s higher resolution and brighter panel make it better for outdoor use and HDR content. The curvature on the Ultra is subtle and not annoying like older curved displays.
Camera Setup: Where the Ultra Shines
This is where the real difference shows:
Xiaomi 17:
- 50MP main (Sony sensor)
- 50MP ultrawide
- 50MP telephoto (3x)
Xiaomi 17 Ultra:
50MP floating telephoto
200MP main sensor
50MP ultrawide
50MP periscope telephoto (5x optical)
The Ultra has incredible camera hardware. Photos taken in the daylight are crisp with strong dynamic range. The Ultra greatly improves on the zoom picture quality, in particular over 3x. Low-light photography is class-leading when using the Ultra because of the bigger sensor and improved processing. Video recording is possible in 8K on the Ultra.
Verdict on Camera: If photography is your priority, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra is easily one of the best camera phones of 2026.
Performance & Software
Both comes with the new Snapdragon 8 Elite chip with up to 16GB RAM and UFS 4.1 storage. Great gaming performance with superb thermal management.
Xiaomi’s HyperOS 2.0 (based on Android 16) is smooth, feature-rich, and much cleaner than older MIUI versions. Software updates are promised for 4-5 years.
Battery & Charging
Xiaomi 17 Ultra: 6000mAh + 120W wired + 50W wireless
Xiaomi 17: 5000mAh + 90W wired
Both last a solid day of hard use. The Ultra’s larger battery and quicker charge time make it the better daily driver.