Despite being only the third week of 2026, we've received one of the year's most anticipated smartphones—the Xiaomi 17 Ultra by Leica. This exclusive device features a dual-tone finish inspired by Leica cameras and is adorned with their iconic Red Dot logo. The retail package includes a 100W charger, a braided USB-A to USB-C cable, a protective case, a metal Leica lens cap, a red wrist strap, and a polishing cloth.
As a top-tier flagship, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra boasts a knurled metal frame and a unique Control Ring—a mechanically rotating ring around the camera island that allows users to zoom between various focal lengths and cameras.
Xiaomi 17 Ultra by Leica Under Review
This special edition device has been developed in collaboration between Leica and Xiaomi.
Meanwhile, new Geekbench listings have surfaced for Samsung's Galaxy S26 and S26 Ultra ahead of their expected launch on February 25. Both models are equipped with Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 SoC, but tests reveal varying clock speeds between the different configurations of the processor.
The Galaxy S26 Ultra seems to utilize a slightly underclocked version of the chipset, featuring two cores clocked at 4.19GHz and six at 3.63GHz. In contrast, the regular S26 appears with an overclocked version, having its two cores boosted to 4.74GHz while the other six cores run at the same 3.63GHz speed.
Additionally, the Galaxy S26 Ultra has been spotted in an attractive aramid fiber case, confirming its redesigned camera island and more rounded corners as previously speculated.
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra and S26 Geekbench Listings
The Galaxy S26 Ultra features an underclocked Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor as per earlier benchmarks.
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra Design Revealed
The design confirms the redesigned camera island and rounded corners.
On the other hand, news surfaced about the Xiaomi 17 Air, which was considered the Chinese brand’s competitor to the iPhone Air. Unfortunately, it appears the device has been canceled. The 17 Air was expected to be extremely slim at just 5.5mm, while still featuring dual cameras with a 200MP main sensor, the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip, and a 6.59-inch display.
Xiaomi’s Canceled 17 Air: Just 5.5mm Thin
A recent video circulating on Chinese social media showcases the device's sleek design that will never be realized.
As we anticipate the Galaxy S26 series launch, rumors about the Galaxy S27 Ultra indicate that it will feature an upgraded 200MP main camera utilizing the ISOCELL S5KHP6 sensor. This new model is expected to maintain the same dimensions as the ISOCELL HP2 in the Galaxy S25 Ultra but come with enhanced technology for improved imaging performance.
Samsung Galaxy S27 Ultra Camera Upgrades Revealed
The device is rumored to receive enhanced wide and ultra-wide cameras in its backend configuration.
Rumors also hint that vivo's upcoming V70 series phones, including the V70 and V70 Elite, are set for a mid-February launch in India, while the V70 FE will debut later. Additionally, the RedMagic 11 Air is confirmed to launch on January 20.
vivo V70, V70 Elite Launching in February, V70 FE Later
The vivo V70 is speculated to be a rebranded variant of the S50.
RedMagic 11 Air Launch on January 20
The upcoming device is expected to sport the Snapdragon 8 Elite SoC, along with an in-built active cooling fan.
Additionally, we gathered preview details regarding the displays of the iPhone 18 series, expecting four models once again. All models are anticipated to maintain similar display sizes, while the 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max are likely to feature under-display cutouts for the Face ID technology.
The Nothing Phone (4a) series is confirmed to transition to UFS 3.1 storage, though higher initial prices are anticipated. Furthermore, Xiaomi is reportedly gearing up to introduce the 17 Max, which will feature an impressive 8,000 mAh battery with 100W wired and 50W wireless charging capabilities, alongside the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip.
iPhone 18 Series Display Specifications
The iPhone 18 Pro models are once more rumored to integrate under-display Face ID technology.
Nothing Phone (4a) Series to Feature Improved Storage
Higher prices may also reflect potential downgrades in other specifications compared to the (3a) models.
Xiaomi 17 Max: The Largest Battery in the Series
The Xiaomi 17 Max is poised to take its place above the Xiaomi 17.
