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Smartphone cameras have become ridiculously capable over the last few years, but actually using one still mostly involves tapping icons, dragging sliders and pinching a piece of glass. Xiaomi apparently decided that wasn’t quite enough. For its latest photography-focused flagship, it has teamed up with Leica to put something far more familiar to photographers directly onto the phone — a physical camera ring you can actually turn.
The Xiaomi 17 Ultra Leica Edition builds on the already camera-focused 17 Ultra and brings it even closer to feeling like a real camera. Beyond its massive 200MP telephoto lens, 1-inch main sensor, and Leica optics, this special edition adds a physical control ring around the rear camera module. The ring has 20 ball bearings and an optical sensor that can detect very small movements. It’s the kind of fun detail that makes you wonder why we’ve spent so long pinching screens to control smartphone cameras.
Xiaomi 17 Ultra Leica Edition Specifications:
Display: 6.9-inch Xiaomi HyperRGB OLED, 1–120Hz LTPO, up to 3,500 nits peak brightness
Software: Xiaomi HyperOS 3
Processor: Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5
RAM & Storage: 16GB RAM with 512GB or 1TB storage
Cameras: 50MP 23mm 1-inch main, 200MP 75–100mm telephoto, 50MP 14mm ultra-wide & 50MP front camera
Camera Features: 75–100mm mechanical optical zoom, Leica UltraPure optics, Leica APO lens & LOFIC HDR
Video: Up to 8K/30fps & 4K/120fps Dolby Vision and Log
Build & Durability: Aluminium alloy frame with IP68 water & dust resistance
Colours: Leica Edition available in Black only
Xiaomi 17 Ultra Leica Edition | Image: Xiaomi
That ring isn’t there just to make the back of the phone look more like a Leica. Xiaomi says its Leica Camera Ring borrows the operating logic of traditional cameras, giving photographers a tactile way to interact with the camera system instead of relying entirely on touchscreen controls.
Inside are 20 high-strength ball bearings designed to give the ring a smooth mechanical feel, while an optical displacement sensor can detect movements as small as 0.03mm. Xiaomi has even engineered a dedicated sealing system around it, allowing the phone to retain its IP66, IP68 and IP69 dust and water-resistance ratings.
It’s a small detail, but one that changes the phone’s character. Plenty of manufacturers have added dedicated camera buttons over the years, but wrapping a proper rotating control around that enormous rear camera module makes the Leica Edition feel less like another smartphone with impressive cameras and more like something deliberately designed around photography.
Of course, a fancy ring wouldn’t mean much if the cameras underneath couldn’t do the job. At the centre of the system is a 200MP Leica telephoto camera with a large 1/1.4-inch sensor and genuine mechanical optical zoom from 75mm to 100mm. Instead of simply cropping into an image as you zoom, three lens groups physically move inside the phone to change focal length.
Alongside it sits a 50MP 23mm main camera with a 1-inch Light Fusion 1050L sensor, an f/1.67 aperture and optical image stabilization. It also has a 50MP 14mm ultra-wide, giving the phone a three-camera setup that covers everything from landscapes to portraits and longer-range shots. Leica’s APO optical design is used on the telephoto to help control colour fringing, while Xiaomi’s UltraPure optical system tackles reflections, glare and other unwanted optical effects.
The 17 Ultra also offers 4K at up to 120fps in Dolby Vision and Log, alongside 8K at 30fps. At this point, calling the thing on the back a “camera bump” feels slightly disrespectful.
Photography might dominate the conversation, but Xiaomi hasn’t forgotten everything else a phone needs to do. The 17 Ultra runs Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 platform with LPDDR5X memory, while a large vapour-chamber cooling system helps manage heat when the processor and cameras are being pushed hard.
Up front is a 6.9-inch AMOLED display with a 1–120Hz adaptive refresh rate, while the 6,000mAh battery supports 90W wired and 50W wireless charging. Despite everything Xiaomi has stuffed inside, the standard 17 Ultra measures just 8.29mm thick, although the Leica Edition is slightly heavier at 223.4 grams.
Xiaomi includes Leica-specific photography styles and its Leica Essential Mode, which attempts to recreate characteristics associated with classic Leica cameras, including the M9 and M3. The phone even features a Leica red doton the phone itself —the first time Xiaomi has placed the famous badge directly on one of its smartphones.
Xiaomi 17 Ultra Leica Edition | Image: Xiaomi
Xiaomi originally unveiled the 17 Ultra in China in December 2025 before launching the series globally on February 28, 2026. Outside China, the Leica Edition arrives as the Leica Leitzphone powered by Xiaomi, offered exclusively in black with 16GB of RAM and 1TB of storage for €1,999. Unfortunately for American photographers who like what they see, there’s no official U.S. release, continuing Xiaomi’s absence from the U.S. smartphone market.
Smartphone manufacturers have spent years trying to make cameras disappear into software, but Xiaomi and Leica have gone in the opposite direction. They’ve added something mechanical, tactile and deliberately camera-like to a device we normally operate by poking at glass. Whether everyone needs a physical camera ring on their phone is another question — but we’d happily take this over another AI button.
Elias Albay is the Founder and Director of Many Men Magazine, a Toronto-based digital publication dedicated to promoting modern masculinity through style, culture, and self-improvement. What started as a personal turning point became a purposeful platform. — born from Elias’ desire to create something meaningful after completing his studies and finding no career path that truly matched his ambitions. With a background in Civil Engineering from York University and experience in Commercial Flight Operations at CAE, he applied skills, and resilience from both fields to forge a new path.
Our team of editors and experts thoughtfully chooses each product. If you decide to buy through one of our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more. Want to know how we test products? Click here for more details.
For automotive enthusiasts, owning a single 991-generation Porsche 911 GT fulfills a lifelong dream. RM Sotheby’s enhances this experience by offering six nearly new 991-generation Porsche 911 GT models, along with a 2019 MAN TGX 18.640 transport truck and a Rolfo Auriga trailer to keep each car in pristine condition with minimal mileage. This represents not just a collection, but a rare opportunity to own a piece of Porsche’s rich GT heritage.
This collection’s condition is exceptional. Each of the six cars, owned by one individual, has only been driven for deliveries, making them nearly brand new despite their age. For collectors and fans, this is a rare chance to acquire these Porsche masterpieces as if fresh from the factory. Each car has been meticulously maintained, preserving their original, pristine condition.
Consider the 2018 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, a race-ready vehicle that has never been on the track. Impressively, it still has its original protective film and tape intact, highlighting its preservation. This ensures the car is in immaculate condition, untouched by wear, offering the next owner a genuine factory-fresh 911 GT3 Cup. Whether displayed in a collection or raced, it’s set for performance. For purists and collectors, this discovery resembles finding a museum-quality artifact of Porsche’s legacy.
The care is reflected in the 2019 MAN TGX 18.640 truck and Rolfo Auriga trailer, which have exclusively moved the Porsche collection, covering less than 480 kilometres. This ensures the transport rig is nearly new, maintaining high standards for this lot. The low-mileage truck adds value, providing reliable transport and a unique find.
This collection offers an exceptional opportunity to own meticulously cared for high-performance Porsche models. With their pristine condition and included transport truck and trailer, collectors have a unique chance to acquire highly sought-after Porsche 911 GT models, each in nearly new condition.
The 2016 Porsche 911 R stands out as the only 991.1 generation model in this exclusive collection, making it an exceptionally rare find. It is the 698th of just 991 units ever crafted. This striking white 911 R with red stripes features highly sought-after components like carbon-ceramic brakes, LED headlights equipped with the Porsche Dynamic Light System, 918 Spyder-style bucket seats, and a Bose sound system. With fewer than 50 kilometers driven, it is in as-new condition and includes both sets of its original keys.
The car has been carefully maintained and has undergone two services at Porsche Wien Liesing, which included oil and brake fluid changes, a new battery, and spark plug replacements. This maintenance ensures its exceptional performance, even with low mileage. This rare Porsche 911 R presents a remarkable opportunity for collectors to acquire a nearly new, low-mileage version of one of Porsche’s most iconic GT models.
The 2018 Porsche 911 GT3 991.2 showcases Porsche’s engineering excellence, presented in a striking Indian Red. It is equipped with the coveted Clubsport package, making it track-ready with a six-speed manual transmission, racing harnesses, and a roll cage—perfect for enthusiasts who yearn for a pure driving experience. Furthermore, the vehicle features carbon-ceramic brakes to provide exceptional performance, ensuring powerful braking on both the track and the street.
With low mileage and careful maintenance, this 2018 GT3 is in immaculate shape and includes the complete set of original keys and documentation. It has received regular servicing, ensuring it runs as though it just left the factory. The addition of the Bose sound system and Sport Chrono package brings luxury and convenience to this high-performance vehicle, creating an exceptional mix of powerful performance and comfort. The 2018 Porsche 911 GT3 presents a remarkable chance for collectors and enthusiasts to acquire one of Porsche’s premier track-oriented models in nearly new condition.
The 991.2 GT3 features Porsche’s 4.0L naturally aspirated engine, delivering 500 horsepower. Paired with a six-speed manual, it offers a responsive and thrilling driving experience, whether on winding mountain roads or expansive highways. Its blend of performance, striking design, and low mileage makes it a rare and valuable asset for collectors.
This Porsche 911 GT3 Touring has travelled fewer than 20 kilometres since the new, keeping it in pristine showroom condition. It boasts a sleek black exterior and a refined black interior, complemented by a selection of highly sought-after options that enhance performance and luxury. Notable features include carbon-ceramic brakes for exceptional stopping power, an extended leather interior that adds a touch of elegance to the cabin, and a 90-litre fuel tank for longer journeys. Moreover, the vehicle has the Sport Chrono package, full leather upholstery, 918 Spyder-style bucket seats, and a Bose sound system, delivering exhilarating performance and comfort.
This GT3 Touring, presented in almost pristine condition, has been carefully maintained and includes both sets of its original keys. It received service from Porsche Wien Liesing, which included an oil and brake fluid change in March 2023, along with new spark plugs. An earlier oil change was conducted in June 2020. These regular maintenance appointments help keep the vehicle in excellent shape despite its low mileage, offering a fantastic opportunity for collectors seeking a flawless representation of Porsche’s celebrated engineering.
The 2018 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup 991.2 is an extraordinary opportunity to own a near-new, race-ready 911. With just 32 kilometres logged and an engine lifetime of 0.0 hours, this car is virtually in factory condition, carefully maintained since it left the factory. Even more remarkable is that the car’s protective film and tape are still intact, further highlighting its pristine, untouched state.
This 911 GT3 Cup has not been raced or tracked, making it an incredibly rare find for collectors or racing fans seeking a race-ready Porsche in pristine condition. This car offers a unique chance to own one of Porsche’s most iconic motorsport vehicles, complete with its original factory protective coverings, and it is ready for track preparation with minimal effort.
The 2018 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup features a timeless white finish that highlights its sleek and aggressive design, enhancing its appeal for both collectors and racing enthusiasts. White has long been a classic colour in motorsports, symbolizing purity, precision, and performance—all qualities that Porsche embodies in each of its vehicles. Given its immaculate condition, low mileage, and competitive history, I believe this 911 GT3 Cup will command a significant price at auction. Its rarity and showroom-fresh condition, with the original protective film still intact, make it an exceptional find for collectors. For anyone keen on acquiring a piece of Porsche’s motorsport legacy, this vehicle presents a unique, high-value opportunity that may not come around again.
2018 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup R 991.2 ( WP0ZZZ99JS199501 ) | Image: RM Sotheby’s
2018 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup R 991.2
The 2018 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup R 991.2 elevates the standard 911 GT3 Cup, featuring a more extreme, FIA-homologated variant tailored for Group GT3 racing. This race car is meticulously crafted to meet the high demands of professional motorsport, incorporating upgrades that boost 5performance and safety. The Cup R boasts advanced technology and components, with a more powerful engine, improved aerodynamics, and a sharper suspension setup designed to achieve exceptional track performance.
Although this 911 GT3 Cup R is equipped for racing, it has barely been utilized, with only 24 kilometers on the clock, maintaining its as-new status. The extremely low mileage indicates it has hardly been driven and remains in the same immaculate, unblemished condition as when it initially left the factory. Its FIA-homologation, coupled with its nearly perfect state, renders this Cup R a distinct and exceptional option for collectors and motorsport fans alike.
Like all Porsche race cars, the 911 GT3 Cup R features advanced technology, including carbon fibre body panels, high-performance brakes, and lightweight racing parts aimed at minimizing weight while enhancing track efficiency. This transforms the Cup R into more than just a race car; it becomes a remarkable engineering achievement, prepared to face the fiercest competition globally.
For serious collectors, the 2018 911 GT3 Cup R offers a remarkable opportunity to acquire one of Porsche’s most desirable and rare motorsport cars, in a condition that is nearly factory fresh. Its limited use and status as an FIA-homologated racing vehicle will undoubtedly increase its appeal at auction, as its performance features and racing history place it at the forefront of Porsche’s motorsport lineup.
Lastly, we have the 2019 Porsche 911 GT3 RS ‘Weissach’ 991.2, a true track-oriented vehicle designed for performance enthusiasts. Similar to the Indian Red GT3 in the collection, this GT3 RS comes with the Clubsport package, which includes a roll cage, racing harnesses, and a fire extinguisher located in the passenger side footwell—all crucial for safety and track use. The car is fitted with a 90-litre fuel tank for extended journeys, and the removal of the sound and navigation systems prioritizes performance over luxury. These modifications make the car lightweight and ready for racing, offering an authentic and unfiltered driving experience.
The standout feature of this GT3 RS is the Weissach package, an incredibly sought-after upgrade that introduces various carbon fibre elements to the exterior and interior. This addition significantly lowers the car’s overall weight and enhances its aerodynamics. The Racing Yellow exterior, combined with a complete black leather interior, presents a distinct, high-performance look, further highlighted by racing yellow seat belts. Additionally, the car is fitted with magnesium wheels, which boosts its performance by decreasing weight and contributes to a more aggressive and eye-catching appearance.
Despite its focus on track performance, this GT3 RS is in nearly new condition, having travelled only 27 kilometres since leaving the factory. It was serviced in March 2023 at Porsche Zentrum Wien Sud, receiving an oil and brake fluid change, six new spark plugs, and a new battery, guaranteeing its excellent mechanical condition. The vehicle comes with both original keys, further validating its low mileage and pristine status.
The 2019 Porsche 911 GT3 RS ‘Weissach’ exemplifies the perfect blend of track performance and Porsche’s renowned precision engineering. With race-ready enhancements, limited usage, and a striking Racing Yellow colour, this vehicle presents an extraordinary opportunity for serious Porsche collectors or motorsport enthusiasts looking to acquire one of the most legendary and capable models in Porsche’s lineup.
The 2019 MAN TGX 18.640, paired with a Rolfo Auriga trailer, is designed specifically for transporting an exclusive collection of Porsche vehicles, ensuring careful and precise handling. This truck boasts a 4×2 wheel layout, air suspension, and a spacious XXL-sized cabin, which makes it ideal for long-haul journeys while maximizing comfort. Equipped with a six-cylinder diesel engine that generates an impressive 640 bhp, it meets EURO 6 emissions standards, making it both powerful and environmentally conscious. It is complemented by the ZF12 TX2821 twelve-speed gearbox, which provides smooth transitions and outstanding control.
Incredibly, the MAN TGX 18.640 and the Rolfo Auriga trailer have only covered 500 kilometres since then, placing them in like-new condition. This demonstrates that the transport setup has been meticulously maintained with minimal use, ensuring it stays pristine for safely transporting the valuable Porsche collection. Additionally, the truck comes with an EEC Certificate of Conformity, making registration across the EU straightforward, which enhances its appeal to international buyers.
This MAN TGX 18.640, combined with a Rolfo Auriga trailer, offers a rare and remarkable blend, providing both the functionality of a high-performance transport vehicle and the assurance that the collection is meticulously maintained throughout transit. Ideal for collectors needing to transport luxury vehicles or anyone seeking a premium transport rig in impeccable condition, this truck and trailer ensemble presents a unique opportunity to acquire an exceptional asset in automotive logistics.
Elias Albay is the Founder and Director of Many Men Magazine, a Toronto-based digital publication dedicated to promoting modern masculinity through style, culture, and self-improvement. What started as a personal turning point became a purposeful platform. — born from Elias’ desire to create something meaningful after completing his studies and finding no career path that truly matched his ambitions. With a background in Civil Engineering from York University and experience in Commercial Flight Operations at CAE, he applied skills, and resilience from both fields to forge a new path.
