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Leaks keep rolling in as Xiaomi prepares to unveil its camera-first flagship, the 17 Ultra, later this month in China. New spy photos show the handset tucked inside a protective case, but enough detail escapes to give us a clearer sense of the rear camera layout and what Xiaomi might have planned for mobile photography.
What the spy shots actually reveal
Despite the case obscuring much of the module, the images make it obvious the 17 Ultra will ship with three rear sensors. One of those sensors looks like a periscope telephoto lens, suggesting Xiaomi intends to keep pushing for long-range zoom capability. Around the visible sensors you can also spot the flash and a few smaller auxiliary sensors.
- Triple rear camera setup clearly visible through the case
- Apparent periscope telephoto lens for improved zoom
- Flash and additional smaller sensors present
- Camera module mostly hidden, preventing exact design confirmation
Circle or rectangle: a design fork in the road
Earlier leaks hinted the 17 Ultra would continue using a circular camera module, but unlike the Xiaomi 15 Ultra — which featured four cameras — the new images point to three. That could mean Xiaomi has pared down the sensor count while upgrading the remaining hardware, or it could signal a move toward the rectangular layout seen on the Xiaomi 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max. Either choice changes how the phone looks and how Xiaomi balances optics versus sensor size.
Why fewer cameras might not be a step back
Fewer lenses don't necessarily equal worse photos. Smartphone makers often remove redundant sensors to make room for larger primary sensors, improved optics, or enhanced stabilization. Imagine a setup where three beefy, well-optimized cameras outperform a four-camera array with smaller or niche sensors — that's a very plausible strategy for a flagship focused on photography.
So what should you expect? Better periscope zoom performance, likely strong wide and ultra-wide optics, and software processing that ties the trio together. The trade-off could be the loss of a dedicated macro or depth sensor, but computational tricks increasingly cover those gaps.
When will we know for sure?
Xiaomi is expected to unveil the 17 Ultra in China later this month. Until the company releases official images and specs, leaks and spy shots will be our best clues. Stay tuned — these blurred snapshots often become blueprints for official reveals within weeks.
Curious about how this compares to rivals? Keep an eye on the zoom specs and sensor sizes once official details drop — those numbers will tell the real story.
Source: gsmarena
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