Xiaomi seems to be advancing its long-standing collaboration with German optics behemoth Leica as the battle for flagship smartphones with cameras gets more intense every day. A fresh item found in the IMEI database indicates that the company is working on a far more ambitious project, despite the fact that leaks on the basic version of the Xiaomi 17 Ultra have recently dominated tech news. Known as the “Leica Leitzphone powered by Xiaomi,” this new model distinguishes out as a limited edition designed to combine performance and luxury in mobile photography.
Recently, the first specific details about the Xiaomi 17 Ultra series surfaced. The first variation was identified as having the product number “2512BPNDAG,” and it was found that this device’s internal codename is “P1.” It is anticipated that this model will be made available as the series’ standard “Ultra” model. The really intriguing change, though, was the addition of a second variation with a whole new naming structure to the IMEI database.
The model number of the recently discovered record is “25128PNA1G,” and the device’s internal codename is “P1S.” Here, the “S” suffix is believed to stand for terms like “Special.” The marketing name for this model is specifically stated as “Leica Leitzphone powered by Xiaomi” in the GSMA records. This suggests that Xiaomi may use the more prestigious “Xiaomi 17 Ultra Leica Leitzphone Edition” or “Xiaomi 17 Ultra Leica Edition” to launch this device.
This naming has a long history. Ernst Leitz, the man who founded the Leica brand, is the source of the name “Leitz.” Perfectionism in optical engineering is exemplified by the Leitz family, a legend in the field of photography. A global “Leitzphone” initiative with Xiaomi might be Leica’s largest step in the mainstream flagship market, even though the company already produces a “Leitz Phone” series (the most recent being the Leitz Phone 3) carrying its own brand in the Japanese market through a partnership with Sharp. Combining Leica’s optical history with Xiaomi’s manufacturing prowess could produce a gadget that revolutionizes smartphone photography.
The back camera arrangement of the device is clearly visible in leaked photos of the “Photography Kit,” dispelling earlier reports of a “quad-camera” configuration. The pictures show that the Xiaomi 17 Ultra will have three cameras rather than four. It is noted that where the fourth lens would normally be, a unique sensor region or space has been left in the module design.
This suggests that Xiaomi is concentrating on improving the quality and sensor sizes of the current lenses rather than producing more lenses. The following is a list of the sensor setups evaluated under the codename “Nezha”:
The switch to a triple camera arrangement is thought to have been an engineering decision made especially to accommodate the larger primary sensor and the enormous 200MP telephoto sensor. A special grip and filter adaptor that converts the device’s ergonomics to that of a DSLR camera also seems to be included in the leaked photography package.
Hardware-wise, the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 mobile platform is anticipated to power the Xiaomi 17 Ultra and its exclusive Leitzphone variant. Leica-only image processing techniques and sophisticated AI features will be included in the gadget, which will come pre-installed with the HyperOS 3 operating system. Information also indicates that satellite communication will be supported by the worldwide version.
The goal of the Xiaomi 17 Ultra series is to be a pocket-sized professional camera in addition to a smartphone. Based on the model number “2512,” these two gadgets, codenamed “P1” and “P1S,” are anticipated to be released in the final quarter of 2025 (December 2025), and they are projected to completely change the landscape of mobile photography.
Robert Haba is the founder and editor-in-chief of Droid Tools. A lifelong gadget enthusiast with over a decade following the Android ecosystem, he built this publication to cut through the noise and give readers honest, real-world coverage of the tech they actually use.
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