Xiaomi fans might not have to wait as long for the 17 Ultra as they did last year. The company’s next flagship is rumoured to launch significantly earlier than its predecessor, which was officially unveiled in late February. Now, according to a prolific leaker on Weibo, we have a pretty solid idea of when to expect the new model.
Reportedly, Xiaomi will begin taking blind reservations for the 17 Ultra on December 15, with the window remaining open until December 25. If this is accurate, we’re likely looking at an official reveal of the device on December 26.
As for pricing, the 17 Ultra is tipped to hit the Chinese market at the same price point as the 16 Ultra. There’s currently no word on whether this will also apply to international markets. The global launch timing is still up in the air. Traditionally, Xiaomi’s Ultra models are announced in China just ahead of global reveals at MWC in Barcelona, which takes place in early March each year. That raises the question: will Xiaomi stick to form, or could we see a special, earlier global launch? For now, we’ll have to wait for more information.
When it does arrive, the 17 Ultra will take up the mantle of Xiaomi’s camera powerhouse. The phone is expected to feature Qualcomm’s new Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip. Recently, a prototype in a bulky protective case surfaced online, showcasing a massive camera bump—unsurprising for a device aiming to lead in photography.
For reference, the current 15 Ultra with 16GB RAM and 512GB storage is listed at around $1,337 (€1,002). Whether or not the 17 Ultra will stick closely to that price internationally remains to be seen.
