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Xiaomi 17 and 17 Ultra vs Xiaomi 15 and 15 Ultra: what are the differences

14/01/2026

The Xiaomi numeric range represents the pinnacle of the Chinese company’s mobile technology, and this year as well we are dealing with devices characterized by a sleek and minimalist style, albeit with a few ‘excesses’.

Clearly we are talking about the wide camera of the Ultra models, now a cornerstone element of the design, present also with the new generation. Let’s take a closer look at what’s changing between the various models, in our comparison featuring Xiaomi 17 and 17 Ultra vs Xiaomi 15 and 15 Ultra: can the new model shake things up?

What are the differences between Xiaomi 17/17 Ultra and 15/15 Ultra: compact flagships and Camera Phone in comparison

Design comparison

In our comparison we have considered only smartphones that should arrive in Global version, excluding Xiaomi 17 Pro and Pro Max – both limited to the Chinese market. At the moment the series has been announced in China and we are waiting to find out when it will arrive in Italy.

Regarding the design there are no major upheavals in the transition to the new generation: this applies to both the Xiaomi 17 base and its bigger brother Ultra. The first continues to offer compact dimensions and a squared camera module (with rounded corners); this time the camera area is colored compared to the total black glass of the previous generation.

The Ultra model reintroduces the usual circular camera module: the Camera Phone owes its look to that of traditional cameras, an aesthetic detail that is unlikely to be missing in the future (unless a total upheaval).

In China a special version with Master Zoom Ring has also been launched: the ring around the module allows you to zoom, just as you would on a professional camera.

Interesting the change in front style: Xiaomi 15 Ultra still belongs to the generation of screens with micro-curvature, while 17 Ultra joins the lineup of flat panels.

Xiaomi 17 and 15 represent the choice for those aiming at a powerful and stylish flagship, but in a compact form — with 6.3″ displays. The Ultra variants are aimed at those targeting the peak, with superior photography performance and a larger screen (up to 6.9″ with the 17 Ultra).

The generational leap from 15 to 17

You will have surely noticed the jump from Xiaomi 15 to the Xiaomi 17 range: no, it isn’t a mistake but a deliberate generational leap by the Chinese company. The official reason could be the desire to leave the old behind and move to a new series rich in innovations, with a clear discontinuity from the past.

In reality it’s much less poetic: Xiaomi has chosen to align numerically with Cupertino (iPhone 17), in order to position itself as an equal rival — technically as well as in naming.

Specifications and price comparison

Below you will find a direct comparison between the specifications of Xiaomi 17 and 15, along with launch price details.

Xiaomi 17 (CHINA)	Xiaomi 15 (ITALY)
151,1 x 71,8 x 8,06 mm 191 grams	152,3 x 71,2 x 8,08/8,48 mm 191/192 grams
IP68	IP68
OLED Flat 6,3″ 1.5K (2.656 x 1.220) LTPO 120 Hz 12 bit PWM Dimming e DC Dimming 2.160 Hz 3.500 nit Li-Po	OLED Flat 6,36″ 1.5K (2.670 x 1.200) LTPO 120 Hz 10 bit PWM Dimming 1.920 Hz 3.200 nit Xiaomi Shield Glass
Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 3 nm TSMC	Snapdragon 8 Elite 3 nm TSMC
2 x 4,6 GHz – Oryon Gen 3 6 x 3,62 GHz – Oryon Gen 3	2 x 4,32 GHz Oryon Phoenix L 6 x 3,53 GHz Oryon Phoenix M
Adreno 840	Adreno 830
12/16 GB LPDDR5X	12 GB LPDDR5X
256/512 GB UFS 4.1	256/512 GB UFS 4.0
Micro SD: ✘	Micro SD: ✘
Liquid cooling with vapor chamber of 4,497 mm^2	Liquid cooling with vapor chamber
Under-display fingerprint reader (ultrasound)	Under-display fingerprint reader (ultrasound)
050 MP f/1.67, Light Fusion 950, OIS 050 MP f/2.4, ultra-wide, 1020 050 MP f/2.0, OIS, teleobiettivo macro	050 MP f/1.6, Light Fusion 900, OIS 050 MP f/2.2, ultra-wide, 1150 050 MP f/2.0, OIS, teleobiettivo macro
Leica optics	Leica optics
50 MP f/2.2, 900, autofocus	32 MP f/2.0
7,000 mAh	5,240 mAh
100W wireless charging 50W	90W wireless charging 50W
Dual SIM 5G	Dual SIM 5G
eSIM: ?	eSIM: ✔
Wi-Fi 7	Wi-Fi 7
Bluetooth 5.4	Bluetooth 6
NFC: ✔	NFC: ✔
Dual GPS	Dual GPS
USB-C 3.2 Gen 1	USB-C 3.2 Gen 1
Speaker stereo	Speaker stereo
Mini jack cuffie: ✘	Mini jack cuffie: ✘
Infrarossi: ✓	Infrarossi: ✓
Comunicazione satellitare: ✔	Comunicazione satellitare: ✘
HyperOS 3 Android 16	HyperOS 2 Android 15
Prezzo al lancio 12/512 GB – 6.999 CNY (€845) 16/512 GB – 7.499 CNY (€906) 16 GB /1 TB – 8.499 CNY (€1,026)	Prezzo al lancio 16/512 GB – €1,499.9 16 GB/1 TB – €1,699.9

Segue le specifiche del Xiaomi 17 Ultra a confronto con quelle del Xiaomi 15 Ultra: il salto generazionale non riguarda solo la parte tecnica ma anche il sistema di fotocamere, il vero punto di forza della gamma Ultra e dell’ultima aggiunta in particolare.

The Xiaomi 17 Ultra improves in every aspect: the main sensor of 1″ is the proprietary Light Fusion 1050L and the telephoto with 200 MP features a continuous optical zoom system, variable aperture and a design with Leica APO apochromatic lenses. The LOFIC technology improves dynamic range and light management.

Xiaomi 17 Ultra (CHINA)	Xiaomi 15 Ultra (ITALY)
162,9 x 77,6 x 8,29 mm 230 grams	161,3 x 75,3 x 9,48/9,35 mm 229/226 grams
IP68/IP69	IP68
AMOLED M10 Flat 6.9″ 2K (2.608 x 1.200) LTPO 120 Hz 12 bit PWM Dimming 2.160 Hz 3.500 nit Xiaomi Shield Glass 3.0	AMOLED Micro Quad Curved 6.73″ 2K (3.200 x 1.440) LTPO 120 Hz 12 bit PWM Dimming 1.920 Hz 3.200 nit Xiaomi Shield Glass 2.0
Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 3 nm TSMC	Snapdragon 8 Elite 3 nm TSMC
2 x 4,6 GHz d- Oryon Gen 3 6 x 3,62 GHz d- Oryon Gen 3	2 x 4,32 GHz Oryon Phoenix L 6 x 3,53 GHz Oryon Phoenix M
Adreno 840	Adreno 830
12/16 GB LPDDR5X	16 GB LPDDR5X
512 GB/1 TB UFS 4.1	512 GB/1 TB UFS 4.0
Micro SD: ✘	Micro SD: ✘
Liquid cooling with vapor chamber	Liquid cooling with vapor chamber
Under-display fingerprint reader (ultrasound)	Under-display fingerprint reader (ultrasound)
050 MP f/1.7, Light Fusion 1050L da 1″, OIS 050 MP f/2.2, ultra-wide 1150 200 MP f/2.4-3.0, OIS, teleobiettivo periscopico Leica APO	050 MP f/1.63, LYT-900 da 1″, OIS 050 MP f/2.2, ultra-wide, 1150 050 MP f/2.6, OIS, teleobiettivo periscopico 050 MP f/1.8, OIS, teleobiettivo macro
Leica optics	Leica optics
50 MP f/2.2, 900	32 MP f/2.0
6,800 mAh	5,410 mAh
100W wireless 50W	90W wireless 80W
Dual SIM 5G	Dual SIM 5G
eSIM: ?	eSIM: ✔
Wi-Fi 7	Wi-Fi 7
Bluetooth 5.4	Bluetooth 6
NFC: ✔	NFC: ✔
Dual GPS	Dual GPS
USB-C 3.2 Gen 2	USB-C 3.2 Gen 2
Speaker stereo	Speaker stereo
Mini jack cuffie: ✘	Mini jack cuffie: ✘
Infrarossi: ✓	Infrarossi: ✓
Comunicazione satellitare: ✔	Comunicazione satellitare: ✘
HyperOS 3 Android 16	HyperOS 2 Android 15
Prezzo al lancio 12/512 GB – 6.999 CNY (€845) 16/512 GB – 7.499 CNY (€906) 16 GB /1 TB – 8.499 CNY (€1,026)	Prezzo al lancio 16/512 GB – €1,499.9 16 GB/1 TB – €1,699.9

Conclusions and where to buy

The jump from Xiaomi 15 to 17 seems minimal, but it is mandatory for those seeking the maximum performance — the new device features the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 and a new camera sensor. Overall, we are still looking at a compact and pleasant flagship.

The real novelty is the latest-generation Camera Phone: the Xiaomi 17 Ultra does not give up its aesthetics, and yet changes style (at least the front); the technical side is updated but the same goes for the camera system, now improved not only in terms of sensors but also in dedicated technologies. Moreover, the collaboration with Leica is stronger than ever in this model.

At the moment the new Xiaomi 17 and 17 Ultra can be purchased only in Chinese version, from third-party stores. The Western launch should occur in the coming months, most likely during MWC 2026 in Barcelona (from March 2 to 5).

As for the current models, the Xiaomi 15 is available at €699 while the Xiaomi 15 Ultra has dropped to €1,099 — in both cases in the official Italian store.

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