While Leica has been co-branding Xiaomi phones for some time, its own Leitzphone line has historically been a niche Japan-only curiosity. However, this latest model changes that, becoming the first globally available Leitzphone, or to give it its full title: Leica Leitzphone powered by Xiaomi. Coming from Xiaomi and Leica's longstanding partnership, it pairs Xiaomi’s latest flagship hardware from the Xiaomi 17 Ultra with a more overtly Leica design and user experience.
So what exactly is different from the Xiaomi 17 Ultra I previously reviewed? While the Xiaomi is a Xiaomi flagship with Leica-tuned cameras, the Leitzphone is positioned much more as a Leica-designed phone, with Leica cameras, that runs on Xiaomi hardware. It's a little confusing, but in practical terms, that means the same core internals, screen, battery, and camera hardware, but the Leitzphone has a redesigned exterior, a new rotatable camera control ring, Leica-specific software touches, and a far more obvious Leica identity.
