- The Xiaomi 17 Ultra's Geekbench AI listing reveals top-tier AI performance, scoring 1,973 in single precision and 4,754 in integer precision tests.
- It is expected to launch globally with a high-end 16GB of RAM configuration and a premium price tag, potentially around €1,499 in Europe.
- Early pricing leaks suggest a bold ultra-premium strategy, especially in India, where it could rival established high-end competitors.
Here's our first real look at Qualcomm's next big chip. A Geekbench AI listing for something called the "Xiaomi 17 Ultra Leica Edition" just popped up, and the numbers are solid. But the real story isn't just the silicon. Paired with some wild pricing rumors, it looks like Xiaomi isn't just making another flagship. It's making a statement, and it's aiming straight at the most expensive phones you can buy.
Xiaomi 17 Ultra Key Specifications
| Specification | Details (Based on Sources) |
|---|---|
| Chipset (Expected) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 |
| RAM (Global Variant) | Up to 16GB |
| Storage Options | 512GB, 1TB |
| AI Benchmark (Geekbench AI) | Single Precision: 1,973 | Half Precision: 3,322 | Integer Precision: 4,754 |
| Main Camera (China Model) | 200MP |
| European Price (Expected) | ~€1,499 (for 16GB + 512GB) |
| India Price (Expected) | ~₹1,25,000 |
| Global/India Launch | Expected March |
Performance & AI Benchmarks: The Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 Debut
We don't have standard CPU scores yet, but this Geekbench AI run is our best peek at the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5's brainpower. And it's all about AI now. These scores tell us what the phone can actually do with that neural processor, from fixing your photos to running a language model locally.
Decoding the Geekbench AI Scores
So, what do the numbers mean? The device posted a 1,973 in single precision (FP32) and a much higher 4,754 in integer precision (INT8). Think of it this way: the integer score is for the fast, efficient stuff that happens in the background, like live translation or spotting your face for the camera. A score that high means it'll do those tasks quickly without murdering your battery.
The single precision score matters for heavier lifting. That's for the creative AI tasks you actually trigger, like generating a new wallpaper or applying some fancy video filter. It's not just a number on a page. A strong result here means the phone has the reserved power for the AI features companies will be bragging about all next year.
Memory & Storage: Positioning as an Ultra-Premium Powerhouse
Every leak agrees on one thing for the global model: 16GB of RAM. You'll likely get it with 512GB of storage, with a 1TB option for the data hoarders. This isn't an accident. Xiaomi's making a spec play, ensuring the "Ultra" name means something beyond the camera.
For you, that RAM translates to a phone that doesn't forget what you were doing. You can jump between a game, a video editor, and twenty Chrome tabs without everything reloading. It's also about future-proofing for whatever weird AI apps come next that need to live in memory. The 1TB option? That's for anyone who shoots 8K video and doesn't want to constantly offload files to the cloud. It's a prosumer checkbox, firmly ticked.
Pricing & Market Strategy: A Bold Leap Upmarket
Now for the shocking part. According to leaks, this phone could cost around €1,499 in Europe. But the real eye-opener is India, where whispers point to a price near ₹1,25,000. Let's be clear: that's Galaxy S Ultra and iPhone Pro Max territory. That's not just a price. It's a declaration of war.
Contextualizing the Price Hike
Xiaomi built its name on value. This move torches that playbook. At this price, the 17 Ultra isn't a "flagship killer" anymore. It's just a flagship, and an expensive one. The game changes completely.
Success here doesn't come from a spec sheet. It comes from the stuff you can't leak: software polish, build quality that feels worth the money, and customer service that doesn't make you regret your purchase. It's a massive gamble in price-sensitive markets. They're betting that Leica's branding, a 200MP camera, and that 16GB of RAM are enough to make people choose a Xiaomi over a Samsung when both cost the same. That's a bet they've never asked consumers to make before.
Xiaomi 17 Ultra vs OnePlus 15: An Early Specifications Preview
Based on what we know, the rivalry with the expected OnePlus 15 writes itself. Both will probably have the same top-tier Snapdragon chip. So the fight moves to other fronts.
| Feature | Xiaomi 17 Ultra (Based on Leaks) | OnePlus 15 (Expected) |
|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 | Likely Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 |
| RAM | Up to 16GB | Up to 16GB (Typical for flagship) |
| Main Camera | 200MP (China spec) | Typically 50MP+ (varies by year) |
| Pricing Strategy | Ultra-Premium (~₹1.25L India) | Premium, potentially more aggressive |
| Key Partnership | Leica for imaging | Hasselblad for imaging |
Look at the camera specs. Xiaomi seems obsessed with megapixels (a 200MP sensor), while OnePlus and Hasselblad usually focus on perfecting shots from a smaller, more manageable sensor. It's a classic clash of philosophies: detail versus processing.
But the battleground is price. If the Xiaomi 17 Ultra really lands at a huge premium, OnePlus gets a huge opening. They could offer 90% of the core performance for hundreds less, just like they used to. Xiaomi's counter-argument? A more complete luxury experience. They're not just selling a chip and a camera. They're selling prestige, or at least that's the plan. We'll see if buyers agree.
Launch Timeline & Regional Availability
The phone is already out in China. For the rest of us, the wait is until around March. India is specifically called out for a March launch. This delay is standard for Xiaomi's global numbered series rollout.
It's also worth noting the global lineup looks simple: just the standard Xiaomi 17 and this 17 Ultra. No Pro model. That makes the choice easy, if brutal. You either go for the top-tier Ultra with all its cost, or you settle for the less extreme base model. There's no confusing middle child.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Xiaomi 17 Ultra's expected price in India?
Based on leaks, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra is expected to be priced around ₹1,25,000 in India.
What chipset does the Xiaomi 17 Ultra have?
While not explicitly named in the benchmark leak, it is expected to feature the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset.
When will the Xiaomi 17 Ultra launch globally?
The global launch, including in India, is currently tipped for around March.
How much RAM will the global Xiaomi 17 Ultra have?
The global variant has been spotted with a configuration of 16GB of RAM.
What the Specs Tell Us
The specs paint a picture of a monster phone. No doubt. But that predicted price tag changes everything. Xiaomi isn't just launching a new device, it's trying to redefine its entire brand in one go. The 17 Ultra has to be so good, so polished, and so desirable that people forget everything they thought they knew about Xiaomi's value. That's a tall order. The hardware looks ready for the fight. The real test is whether Xiaomi's software, support, and brand aura are finally ready too.
Sources
- gizmochina.com
- gadgets360.com
- 91mobiles.com
- phonejagat.in
- nanoreview.net