Xiaomi 17 Ultra: Unraveling the secrets of continuous optical zoom technology.
Instead of using multiple separate telephoto lenses, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra is expected to feature a continuous optical zoom camera, an advanced technology that promises to revolutionize the mobile photography experience.
A new breakthrough in mobile photography technology.
According to recent leaks, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra may be equipped with a telephoto camera system with continuous optical zoom capabilities, a significant improvement over current multi-lens solutions. This technology promises superior image quality at all zoom distances, rather than being optimized only at fixed focal lengths.
This information emerged after initial speculation that the device would only have an improved telephoto camera. A leaked image of the camera interface shows smooth zoom capabilities in the focal length range from 3x to 4.3x (equivalent to 70–100mm), accompanied by the text “Leica 200MP continuous optical zoom”. This indicates that it is a true optical system, not a digital solution.
Advantages over traditional multi-lens solutions
For comparison, its predecessor, the Xiaomi 15 Ultra, used two separate telephoto cameras: a 50MP lens at 70mm focal length and a 200MP lens at 100mm focal length. With this setup, intermediate zoom levels (e.g., 85mm) relied heavily on digital processing algorithms from the shorter focal length lens, resulting in a degradation in image quality.
The method of using multiple fixed telephoto lenses is popular on high-end smartphones due to its simplicity of implementation. However, a continuous optical zoom system, where the lenses physically move to change the focal length, would provide more consistent and sharper image quality across the entire zoom range.
Learn from Sony's technology.
In fact, continuous optical zoom technology isn't entirely new. Sony is one of the few manufacturers that pioneered and perfected this technology on smartphones. The Xperia 1 IV, released in 2022, supported optical zoom from 3.5x to 5.2x. By 2025, the Xperia 1 VII is expected to expand this zoom range to 3.5x–7.1x.
Xiaomi's adoption of similar technology shows that the company is striving to push the boundaries of mobile photography and compete directly with the most advanced camera technologies on the market.
A combination of high-end hardware and optics.
To optimize the new zoom system, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra is rumored to incorporate a large 1/1.4-inch 200MP ISOCELL HPE sensor. The larger sensor size allows for more light capture, improving image quality in low-light conditions. Additionally, sources mention the use of Leica APO (Apochromatic) lenses and a completely new 1-inch main sensor. All these elements suggest that photography will be a key focus on Xiaomi's upcoming flagship, promising superior versatility and quality compared to its competitors.
