Xiaomi 17 Ultra: Radical Camera Redesign Leaks!

Xiaomi 17 Ultra Leak: Radical Redesign or Just a Prototype Dream?

A potential bomb just dropped in the world of smartphone leaks! Could this be our first glimpse at the Xiaomi 17 Ultra? A prototype image surfaced online, revealing a radical design departure. But, like all leaks, take it with a massive grain of salt. Is this the real deal, a discarded prototype, or even a clever decoy from Xiaomi themselves? Let’s dive into the rumors and speculations surrounding these intriguing images, shared by a known leaker on Weibo, and see if we can decipher the truth.

Leaked Images Spark Xiaomi 17 Ultra Design Debate

The mobile leak world never sleeps, and what we think we’re seeing could be a massive shift for Xiaomi. The biggest talking point? A potential redesign of the camera module. Let’s break it down.

Bye-Bye “Oreo”? Hello Rectangular Camera Module?

If these photos are indeed genuine, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra might ditch the iconic circular camera module, affectionately nicknamed “Oreo” by fans, for a more rectangular design. This would be a huge change for the Ultra series. A rectangular design would arguably make it look like some iPhones or Samsung flagships, albeit with a potentially more compact overall feel.

Why the change? Some speculate that Xiaomi is aiming for a slimmer profile by integrating the camera module more seamlessly into the phone’s chassis. Others fear this could be a step backward aesthetically. Remember, Xiaomi often experiments with different designs, and many prototypes never see the light of day. This could very well be one of those. Maybe Xiaomi will choose to keep the “Oreo” style found on the current Xiaomi 15 Ultra.

A Clean Look, But What’s Underneath?

The leaked images, which appeared on December 4th, show a clean rear panel with the rectangular module positioned horizontally. Several openings suggest the presence of additional sensors or an LED flash. While not groundbreaking at first glance, the possibility of this being the 17 Ultra has set the internet ablaze. Is Xiaomi aiming for a redesign to better compete in the global premium smartphone market? The question remains: is the new camera module a real thing?

Triple Camera System: Powerhouse or Just Hype?

Camera

As expected for a Xiaomi Ultra device, the camera system is the center of attention. The leaked images reveal a triple-camera setup, accompanied by what appears to be a fill light and other auxiliary sensors. Based on speculation in forums like Weibo and Reddit, here’s a breakdown of what we might see:

• 50MP Main Camera with 1-inch Sensor (OmniVision OV50X): Ideal for low-light performance and impressive dynamic range. But will it retain the variable optical zoom of previous generations, or will that be sacrificed for size?
• Up to 200MP Periscope Telephoto (Samsung ISOCELL HP5): This sounds like pure madness, potentially offering 10x or more zoom without quality loss! However, previous rumors mentioned a 50MP JN5 sensor. Why the potential change? Could there be production issues, cost concerns, or integration problems with the new chipset? It’s all speculation at this point, so remember to take it with a grain of salt.
• 50MP Ultrawide: For landscapes and group selfies. Details are scarce, but we can only hope it includes macro capabilities or advanced stabilization.

Remember, all of this is based on leaks and speculation. The “H” on the rear (presumably for HyperOS, available on devices such as the REDMI Note 15 5G: Leaked Specs & Official First Look!) and the absence of visible logos only fuel the intrigue. If confirmed, this would position the 17 Ultra as a photographic beast, but until Xiaomi officially announces something, let’s not get our hopes up too high.

Beyond the Camera: Battery and Chipset Rumors

Beyond the camera, the rumors surrounding these photos suggest a powerhouse of internal components. We’re talking about a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 Elite (or whatever its top-tier version will be called), potentially featuring custom Oryon cores and a boosted NPU for real-time AI. Performance? Probably the fastest on the market, but at what cost in terms of power consumption? That’s where the big promise comes in: a battery between 6000 and 7000 mAh, something unheard of in such a slim flagship.

Imagine a full day of heavy use without needing a charger… or two if you’re a light user! However, these numbers sound almost too good to be true. Prototypes often inflate specs for testing purposes, and the final product might be more modest (perhaps 5500 mAh?).

As for the display, the leaks point toward a 6.7-inch LTPO OLED panel with a 120Hz refresh rate or higher, protected by Gorilla Glass Victus 3 and boasting brightness levels exceeding 3000 nits. IP69 water resistance? 80W wireless charging? All possible, but nothing is confirmed at this stage, so don’t set your mind on anything yet.

The Big Question: When Will We See It?

Xiaomi typically unveils its Ultra devices at the Mobile World Congress or during spring events, so a February-March 2026 announcement wouldn’t be surprising. The technology world is always waiting for the new Xiaomi. In the meantime, these leaked photos leave us with more questions than answers: Is this truly the 17 Ultra, or is it a parallel project? Will the rectangular module make it to market, or will it change again? Will the triple camera system with its rumored 200MP sensor surpass the iPhone 17 Pro Max in versatility? We are excited to see the new phones.

In a leak ecosystem where 70% of rumors ultimately disappoint, this leak is interesting but fragile. If you’re a Xiaomi fan (which, on this site, we assume you are!), save the images and await official confirmations. It could be the dawn of a new era for Chinese smartphones… or just another prototype photoshoot. Maybe we’ll get lucky and the HyperOS 3 update will give us a sneak peek before the official launch. Only time will tell.

What do you think? Would you swap the “Oreo” for this rectangle? Let us know in the comments! In the meantime, we’ll keep our eyes peeled for more leaks from Beijing, and anything mentioned on sites like https://www.ithome.com/.

Xiaomi 17 Ultra: Leaked Radical Redesign Summary

So, that’s the scoop. The Xiaomi 17 Ultra may or may not be getting a radical redesign. While the leaked photos show a departure from the familiar “Oreo” camera module to a rectangular design, it’s crucial to remember that these are just leaks. A new design alongside an incredible camera system may very well make it the Smartphone of 2026. The rumored specs – a Snapdragon 8 Gen 5, a massive battery, and a mind-boggling camera setup – sound incredible, but official confirmation from Xiaomi is needed before we can get too excited. For now, it’s a tantalizing glimpse into what could be, but it’s best to remain cautiously optimistic. We’ll continue to monitor the situation.

Source: Alles Xiaomi