Key Takeaways
1. Ben’s Gadget Reviews is among the first to access new Chinese smartphones, like the Xiaomi 17 Ultra, before official launches.
2. The Xiaomi 17 Ultra lacks a side camera shutter button, which has received criticism, but has praised features like the ridged frame and haptic feedback zoom ring.
3. Initial photo comparisons show the Vivo X300 Pro producing sharper images, while the Xiaomi 17 Ultra captures colors better but has mixed results in soft focus.
4. Zoom capabilities of the Xiaomi 17 Ultra are impressive up to 10x, but artifacts appear beyond that, and sharpness suffers with moving subjects.
5. Viewers can expect more detailed testing and comparisons of the Xiaomi 17 Ultra in future videos from Ben.
Ben’s Gadget Reviews is often one of the first English-speaking YouTubers to get their hands on the latest Chinese smartphones and gadgets. For example, he managed to get access to the brand-new Xiaomi 17 Ultra just hours after his Chinese counterparts were allowed to test it, even before its official launch. While this video is not a complete review, the nearly 15-minute clip below features an unboxing and hands-on look at the Leica Edition, which is expected to be released globally under the name “Leitzphone powered by Xiaomi.”
Missing Features and Praise
As Ben has noted, there is no camera shutter button on the side of the device, a point that has drawn some criticism. However, he shares positive views on other features of the first Xiaomi phone sporting the red Leica branding, such as its ridged frame and the zoom ring that includes haptic feedback. After completing the setup of the Chinese variant and installing several apps like Google Play Store, Ben showcases some initial photos taken with the Xiaomi 17 Ultra. He also includes an early comparison with the Vivo X300 Pro, utilizing both devices’ telephoto and zoom cameras for the test.
Image Quality Comparison
In his comparison, Ben favors the first photo taken with the Vivo X300 Pro for its sharper quality, while noting that the Xiaomi 17 Ultra captures the yellowish wall background more effectively. The second photo, however, does not meet expectations for either device. The X300 Pro’s image shows an overly processed face due to AI enhancements, while the Xiaomi 17 Ultra’s version appears too soft. Following this, Ben shares his first video footage recorded in Hong Kong. It appears Xiaomi has successfully managed the transition from optical to digital zoom, starting at 100mm.
Zoom Capabilities and Initial Impressions
The results remain impressive up to approximately 10x zoom, but artifacts start to appear beyond that level. Although some photos taken in the dark alleys of the bustling Chinese city may seem good at first glance, moving subjects often lack sharpness. It will be interesting to see if Ben addresses these issues in future testing videos, but at present, he seems quite satisfied with the initial outcomes. Viewers interested in more Xiaomi 17 Ultra test results and comparisons with other leading camera phones should check out our latest detailed coverage.
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