The Xiaomi 17 Ultra has recently been spotted in the wild, sparking discussions about a potential downgrade in its camera setup. While many eagerly anticipate flagship launches like the Galaxy S26 Ultra and the iPhone 17 Pro, Xiaomi might beat them all to the punch with a premiere possibly scheduled for December. Rumors suggest that the Xiaomi 17 Ultra could feature fewer rear cameras than its predecessors, focusing instead on a powerful single telephoto sensor.
A Closer Look at the Leaked Images
Images shared on Weibo by the tech blog Todo Plus depict a person holding a Xiaomi phone inside a rather unusual case. Although the case obscures some details, the rear camera arrangement appears to show just three lenses, departing from previous models that included secondary dedicated zoom cameras.
Camera Specs and Rumored Changes
According to recent rumors, Xiaomi might drop the secondary telephoto zoom camera on the 17 Ultra. However, to compensate for this, the remaining telephoto lens is expected to be an impressive 200 MP Samsung ISOCELL sensor. The main and ultra-wide cameras are also rumored to use high-end sensors from Omnivision or Samsung. The expected camera lineup includes:
- Main: 50 MP Omnivision OVX10500U
- Telephoto: 200 MP Samsung ISOCELL S5KHPE
- Ultra-wide: 50 MP Omnivision OV50M or Samsung ISOCELL S5KJN5
How Many Dedicated Cameras Does a Flagship Need?
We asked readers for their opinion on the ideal number of dedicated zoom cameras on a flagship device. The poll results from 20 votes showed:
- 15% believe two dedicated zoom snappers are essential.
- 55% think one each of main, ultra-wide, and telephoto is enough.
- 30% dream of phones with more than four dedicated cameras.
Is Three Rear Cameras Enough for an "Ultra" Flagship?
The Xiaomi 17 Ultra appears to be simplifying its camera setup, sparking debate over whether this approach aligns with what users expect from an “Ultra” model. With a single, ultra-high resolution telephoto sensor, Xiaomi could be betting on superior image quality over camera count.
