Why Xiaomi Skipped the 16 Series to Challenge iPhone 17

The Strategic Skip That Says Everything

Xiaomi just pulled off one of the boldest moves in smartphone naming: it skipped the 16 series entirely. The 15 Ultra was followed directly by the 17 Ultra. This wasn't an oversight—it was calculated positioning to go head-to-head with Apple's iPhone 17 generation.

The Chinese company, now the world's third-largest phone maker, isn't just playing catch-up anymore. It's making a statement. And that statement gets even louder with the Leitzphone—a special £1,799 variant designed in partnership with German camera legend Leica. For photography enthusiasts who've always dreamed of Leica quality in their pocket, this might be the closest they'll get without buying an actual Leica camera.

When Camera Becomes Identity

The 17 Ultra doesn't pretend to be anything other than a camera-first device. The main 50-megapixel shooter features a 1-inch sensor—massive by smartphone standards. The telephoto lens packs 200 megapixels with optical zoom ranging from 3.2X to 4.3X, extending to an equivalent 17.2X with cropping.

But here's where the Leitzphone gets interesting: that adjustable ring around the camera module. Twist it for fine zoom control, just like a proper camera lens. The UI gets the full Leica treatment too—minimalist app icons and photography widgets that channel the German brand's no-nonsense philosophy.

The trade-off? That camera module is enormous. The circular bump makes the phone wobble on flat surfaces and catch on pockets. It's the price of photographic ambition—and Xiaomi paid it willingly.

The American Photography Paradox

Here's the frustrating part for US consumers: you can't officially buy the 17 Ultra in America. Import restrictions and carrier compatibility issues keep it locked out of the world's most lucrative smartphone market. It's available in the UK for £1,299 (regular) and £1,799 (Leitzphone), but Americans who want one will need to jump through import hoops.

This creates an odd situation where one of the most camera-capable phones ever made is essentially invisible to the market that probably wants it most. American photography enthusiasts are left choosing between the familiar (iPhone Pro Max) or the available (Galaxy S Ultra), while the 17 Ultra remains a tantalizing "what if."

Specs That Don't Compromise

Beyond the camera system, the 17 Ultra is a specs monster. The latest Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset, 16GB of RAM, and up to 1TB storage ensure nothing slows it down. The 6,000mAh battery (up from last year's 5,410mAh) provides genuine two-day stamina.

Charging speeds impress too: 90-watt wired and 50-watt wireless. The catch? No built-in Qi2 magnetic charging—you'll need the optional photography kit case for that convenience.

Software remains the familiar HyperOS, which still borrows heavily from iOS but runs smoothly. The bloatware situation (pre-installed Facebook and TikTok) feels outdated on a flagship, but it's manageable.

The Photography Kit Gambit

Xiaomi's Photography Kit Pro deserves special mention. It adds a magnetic case (enabling some Qi2 chargers), a camera grip with traditional controls, and an extra 2,000mAh battery pack. For serious mobile photographers, it transforms the phone into something approaching a proper camera system.

The irony? On the Leitzphone, the case covers that beautiful adjustable ring—the very feature that makes it special.