Xiaomi’s upcoming flagships, the Xiaomi 17 and Xiaomi 17 Ultra, are now tipped to launch globally before Mobile World Congress 2026.
The latest rumour suggests that the latest Xiaomi flagship range is expected by 28 February for global markets, with an India-specific launch scheduled for early March. Pricing leaks suggest a steep premium outside China, with the Ultra set to cost €1,499 in Europe.
The Xiaomi 17 series has been the subject of speculation since its debut in China last September. Traditionally, Xiaomi unveils its global flagships at MWC in Barcelona, but this time leaks point to an accelerated rollout.
Tipster Yogesh Brar claims both the Xiaomi 17 and 17 Ultra will arrive ahead of MWC, while the Leica Edition Ultra is pegged for a late February release. This marks a departure from the company’s usual cadence, which saw the Xiaomi 15 Ultra and Xiaomi 15 unveiled at MWC 2025.
Pricing is already stirring debate. The Xiaomi 17 Ultra is expected to retail at €1,499 for the 16GB RAM/512GB storage variant, significantly higher than last year’s Xiaomi 15 Ultra.
Reports indicate the global model will feature a smaller 6,000mAh battery, compared to the 6,800mAh cell in China, though charging speeds and Leica camera hardware should remain unchanged. Colour options for the Ultra include black, white, and green, while the standard Xiaomi 17 is tipped to come in black, blue, and green, with storage configurations up to 512GB.
The Indian launch is expected in early March 2026, with pricing rumoured to start at ₹65,000 for the Xiaomi 17 and rise to ₹120,000–₹130,000 for the Ultra. This aligns with Xiaomi’s strategy of bringing its flagships to India soon after their global debut, though the Xiaomi 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max will remain exclusive to China.
Finally, while the Leica Edition Ultra adds prestige with its co-engineered camera system, the absence of the Pro models globally narrows Xiaomi’s lineup outside China. This could disappoint fans who prefer the more compact Pro form factor.
Nevertheless, the Xiaomi 17 and 17 Ultra are shaping up to be among the most talked-about Android flagships of early 2026, especially for UK buyers keen on alternatives to Samsung and Apple.
