Smartphones · Ranked #8 of 82 · Best for telephoto photography

Xiaomi 17 Ultra

89
Highly rated
Average of 5 professional reviews
5 of 5 recommend it · broad agreement
Where the 5 reviews landedRange 80–95

Exact average 89.0 · all scores printed by the outlets

Xiaomi 17 UltraImage: Xiaomi

5 professional reviewers tested the Xiaomi 17 Ultra, and 5 recommend it. Most praised: performance and picture quality. Most common complaint: size and weight.

Reviewed by Android Central, Tech Advisor, TechRadar and 2 more

The catch: It is bulky, and subject tracking and video are weaker.

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What 5 critics said

Highest score first · all converted to 0–100
  1. 95
    Android CentralHands-on review · 2026

    Called one of the best camera phones of 2026, with a better design, great screen, long battery and top-tier 200MP telephoto.

    Read Android Central review
  2. 90
    Tech AdvisorHands-on review · 2026

    Another top Ultra phone with excellent cameras, a dazzling screen and strong battery, at an unchanged price.

    Read Tech Advisor review
  3. 90
    TechRadarHands-on review · 2026

    Two months of use show a genuine camera-king contender, excelling at stills with vivid, well-balanced images.

    Read TechRadar review
  4. 90
    Trusted ReviewsHands-on review · 2026

    A well-rounded flagship with a superb camera system, display, speakers and fast charging, best suited to photography fans.

    Read Trusted Reviews review
  5. 80
    Expert ReviewsHands-on review · 2026

    Recommended for its excellent cameras, top performance and generous storage at a lower price than rivals.

    Read Expert Reviews review

"Est." means the outlet printed no score, so we estimated one from its verdict and checked our estimates against ratings outlets print. How we check estimates

What critics praise most

Performance3 of 5
Picture quality2 of 5
Battery life2 of 5

What critics dislike most

Size and weight2 of 5

Other smartphones critics rate highly

Oppo Find X9 UltraImage: Oppo
Best overallOppo Find X9 Ultra5 reviews · critics agree94
Apple iPhone 18 Pro MaxImage: Apple
Best for cameras and speedApple iPhone 18 Pro Max6 reviews · critics agree91
Apple iPhone 17Image: Apple
Apple iPhone 1710 reviews · critics agree90
Apple iPhone 17 ProImage: Apple
Runner-upApple iPhone 17 Pro10 reviews · broad agreement90

Compare head to head

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Common questions

Is the Xiaomi 17 Ultra worth it?

Most critics think so: 5 of 5 recommend it. It is bulky, and subject tracking and video are weaker.

Do critics agree about the Xiaomi 17 Ultra?

Broad agreement: scores range from 80 (Expert Reviews) to 95 (Android Central), a spread of 15 points across 5 reviews. Most reviewers land fairly close together.

What do critics dislike about the Xiaomi 17 Ultra?

Size and weight (2 of 5 reviews).

What is the best alternative to the Xiaomi 17 Ultra?

The Oppo Find X9 Ultra (critic score 94), best overall.