Leica Leitzphone by Xiaomi Pros
Stunning picture high quality
Plethora of Leica shade results
Physical ring to regulate digital camera settings
Powerful processor efficiency
Cons
Very excessive value
Battery life might be higher
Not bought within the US
The Xiaomi Leica Leitzphone is the very best, most enjoyable digital camera telephone I’ve ever used. And I’ve used all of them, together with Apple’s iPhone 17 Pro and Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Ultra. And whereas they’re each nice telephone cameras for most individuals, Xiaomi and Leica’s newest collaboration has resulted in a handset that is arguably extra digital camera than it’s telephone. The Leica Leitzphone powered by Xiaomi — to make use of its full official title — is Xiaomi’s newest flagship Android telephone, developed in partnership with the enduring German digital camera model Leica. You should purchase the usual Xiaomi 17 Ultra in a extra standard type, with minimal Leica branding. But it is the Leitzphone model that has the photographer in me buzzing like a hive of bees that simply heard honey costs are set to soar. The Leica Leitzphone by Xiaomi is notable for prioritizing the images expertise above almost every little thing else. Andrew Lanxon/CNETBut why? Well, it bears the Leica pink dot emblem, has Leica etching on the perimeters, a bunch of Leica filmic shade types to shoot with and it has a operate {hardware} wheel on the again of the telephone that really turns to regulate digital camera settings. It’ll even be bought in Leica’s personal bodily shops right here within the UK. Mix in its supercharged processor and the fantastic show and this telephone turns into an all-round powerhouse that is well-deserving of its flagship title. I’ve taken hundreds of photographs whereas testing with the Leitzphone, and I’m shocked by the outcomes I’ve achieved. Its photos aren’t simply “good for a phone;” they’re downright very good for any digital camera, which is why it was a simple choice to award the telephone a coveted CNET Editors’ Choice award.It prices £1,700 within the UK, which converts to roughly $2,300 (although it will not be formally bought within the US), so it would not come low cost, however nothing with a Leica emblem does. However, should you’re searching for the last word imaging expertise in a telephone, listen. Let’s dive in deeper and try a very powerful half: the digital camera.
Xiaomi’s Leitzphone Looks Exactly Like a Leica Phone Should
See all photographs Xiaomi Leitzphone: Camera high qualityThis telephone is all in regards to the digital camera, so should you’re merely not that bothered about images, then try our different favourite Android telephones. Maybe take a peek at our early protection of Samsung’s new Galaxy S26 vary. Those of you continue to right here and lusting after superb photographs on the go: strap in, you are in for a deal with.The telephone’s foremost digital camera makes use of one thing referred to as a LOFIC picture sensor, which stands for Lateral Overflow Integration Capacitor (in case you had been curious). It’s principally a brand-new sensor know-how designed to ship significantly better dynamic vary in a single picture. That’s helped, too, by the sensor’s giant measurement and the high-quality Leica Summilux lens sitting in entrance of it.
The Photos I’ve Taken on Xiaomi’s Leica Phone Are Some of My Best Ever
See all photographs The telephone’s telephoto zoom lens has shifting lens components, permitting it to attain a steady zoom from 75- to 100-millimeter focal lengths, moderately than counting on digital cropping. And to regulate all of it, there is a huge lens ring on the again that really turns to regulate the zoom, or as I’ve set mine to, the publicity compensation. But it isn’t simply the {hardware} that is spectacular right here; the Leitzphone has the very same shade profiles that you’re going to discover on Leica’s precise cameras and movie. It all makes this handset the best-equipped digital camera telephone, forward of any of its rivals. And it is why I’ve shot someplace simply north of two,000 photographs on it up to now throughout my testing.
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Taken with the principle digital camera within the Leica Chrome shade profile, I like how this pigeon has been frozen in motion, with pleasing distinction all through the picture. Andrew Lanxon/CNET
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Using the 8x hybrid zoom I used to be capable of fill the body with these seagulls. Andrew Lanxon/CNET
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The Chrome shade profile resulted in lovely tones on this picture. I like having the ability to shortly snap away at low angles utilizing a telephone. Andrew Lanxon/CNET
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Those small pops of shade from the climbing maintain actually distinction nicely towards the grey wall. Andrew Lanxon/CNETImages are full of element and wonderful colours, particularly when utilizing the Leica Chrome shade profile. I like how wealthy the photographs are, with deep, pure shadows which can be more and more uncommon today in photos from different telephones. Some of Xiaomi’s rivals go approach overboard with picture processing, making an attempt to lighten shadows a lot that it kills a lot of the picture’s drama. But that is not the case right here: The Leitzphone can take photos that critical photographers will genuinely love. But you will must put in some work, too. I’ll typically shoot in Pro mode, twisting the management ring to manually underexpose the picture to emphasise the shadows and create temper in my photos. Or I’ll shoot in high-contrast black-and-white mode for a punchy look that is good for high-impact road images. I really love dabbling in road images, and numerous my private work on “regular” cameras is in the same high-contrast black-and-white type, so it has been nice enjoyable utilizing the telephone in a lot the identical approach.
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Shot in high-contrast black-and-white mode, I used the roof to border the chook, exposing for the intense sky to solid the topic into deep shadow and create a dramatic silhouette. Andrew Lanxon/CNET
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I like black-and-white road images, and utilizing a telephone is a good way of capturing candid moments with out being seen. Andrew Lanxon/CNET
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Unlike lots of its rivals, the Leitzphone would not attempt to artificially raise shadows. As a end result, photos like this keep the depth and drama that I wished to seize after I took the picture. Andrew Lanxon/CNETWhat stunned me about this telephone is how related my workflow has been to my common capturing type with my very own Leica Q3 43. I nearly at all times shoot utilizing the Chrome profile on my Q3 43, as I am keen on the tones it delivers, and I’ll usually underexpose a shot to attain the identical wealthy shadows. The Leitzphone works precisely the identical approach, and I’ve been actually happy with how carefully these colours match between the telephone and the digital camera. There’s additionally a mode that mimics a roll of Leica’s Monopan 50 black-and-white movie. I’ve shot just a few rolls of that on each Pentax and Leica movie cameras and the outcomes are fairly much like what the telephone achieves, with comparable distinction and movie grain. If you’re keen on capturing monochrome photos, you will love taking this factor out and about.The digital camera’s publicity and colours stay glorious at evening, too, particularly when utilizing the Chrome type, which I truthfully really feel ought to simply be the default; it appears so good. Details do get fairly mushy at evening, however until you are actually pixel peeping, it is unlikely to be a lot of an issue.
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This night-time scene overlooking London’s St. Paul’s Cathedral is pin-sharp with an ideal publicity. Andrew Lanxon/CNET
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Zooming in utilizing the telephoto lens, this evening shot of a pub entrance has lovely tones. I used the Chrome shade profile, which helps add a deeper tone to the orange within the home windows. Andrew Lanxon/CNETIs the digital camera high quality pretty much as good as my precise Leica digital camera? No, in fact not — my Q3’s lens and full-frame picture sensor positively produce higher, extra natural-looking photos. But it is a skilled digital camera that prices me hundreds of kilos greater than the telephone prices, so I’d be fairly mad if my actual Leica could not maintain its personal towards even the very best telephone.
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Taken utilizing the 200-megapixel mode (though resized right here for simpler viewing on-line), this picture appears effective when seen in its entirety. Andrew Lanxon/CNET
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But zoom in to 100% and it is clear that whereas there’s numerous decision, there’s not really any extra element. What we have now as an alternative is a form of watercolor impact the place the picture processing is making an attempt to clean out and sharpen particulars that it hasn’t captured. Andrew Lanxon/CNETThere is evidently loads of software program processing nonetheless occurring behind the scenes on the Leitzphone, with some photographs displaying an excessive amount of noise discount and digital sharpening for my style. There’s a 200 megapixel mode that creates an infinite picture however the effective particulars typically grow to be a bizarre form of watercolor portray, so I do not actually see the purpose in including further decision when it isn’t really including any further element. So it isn’t good as such, but it surely’s nonetheless most likely the very best digital camera telephone I’ve ever used and definitely the one I’d most need in my pocket on a images outing. Xiaomi Leica Leitzphone: Processor, software program and battery lifeThankfully, the remainder of the telephone is fairly good, too. It runs Qualcomm’s newest Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor, which delivers swift navigation and tons of energy for taking part in demanding video games like Genshin Impact. It carried out nicely on our processor benchmark exams, placing it up there with different Gen 5-equipped telephones just like the OnePlus 15 or Honor Magic 8 Pro. Leica Leitzphone efficiency comparability Leica Leitzphone by Xiaomi 3,609 10,784iPhone 17 Pro Max 3,907 10,023OnePlus 15 3,670 11,061
Geekbench 6 (single core)
Geekbench 6 (multi-core)
Note: Longer bars equals higher efficiency
The 6.9-inch OLED show is vivid and vibrant and the telephone’s IP68 score means you possibly can take it out within the rain with none fear about water injury. The Leitzphone (left) has a customized interface with monochrome tiles. You can change theme if you would like, or you should purchase the usual Xiaomi 17 Ultra (proper), which does not have it in any respect. Andrew Lanxon/CNETThe Leitzphone runs Android 16 and comes with a customized interface with Leica-esque monochrome app icons and wallpapers. I really do not like it as a result of I battle to inform which app is which with out shade cues. But I simply swapped it for a unique theme. While Xiaomi supplies just a few AI instruments and options, together with a translation software, its AI is generally simply the same old Google add-ons like Gemini Advanced and Circle to Search. I’m extraordinarily grateful that Xiaomi has targeted on delivering a tremendous expertise throughout the telephone, with out counting on AI gimmicks. Samsung may take notice. The Leitzphone has a 6,000-mAh battery, which is respectable, however not fairly up there with the very best. It dropped from full to 85% remaining after our three-hour video streaming take a look at, which is a stable effort, although it did not fairly beat the 90% or extra achieved by the OnePlus 15 or iPhone 17 Pro Max. Still, you will not battle to get a full day of combined use from it. I discovered I may rinse the poor factor from full to round 60% remaining with half a day of fixed images use, so should you’re heading out for a day of images in your trip it is price carrying a battery pack to assist preserve some energy for the night. Or preserve a quick charger in your bag — it helps wired charging as much as 90W-speeds with a suitable charger, so even a brief increase can be sufficient to offer just a few hours of use again. If you are utilizing it as a extra common telephone, with some images once in a while then you possibly can comfortably get by a full day — with lighter use I’ve had as a lot as half the battery remaining on the finish of a day. The Leica Leitzphone subsequent to my Leica Q3 43. They’re an excellent match. Andrew Lanxon/CNETXiaomi Leica Leitzphone: Should you purchase it?The foremost cause to spend huge on this telephone is its stellar digital camera setup. So should you’re not that into images, then that is simply one to skip. Or at the least you may need to have a look at the common Xiaomi 17 Ultra, which strips out among the Leica-branded stuff and the settings wheel however retains a lot of the opposite {hardware}, together with the LOFIC sensor and telephoto zoom. It ought to include a cheaper price tag because of this. Camera stuff apart, the Leitzphone and the 17 Ultra are on par with another Android flagship you will discover proper now. But for these of you who actually take your images severely and wish the last word digital camera telephone, full with that iconic pink dot, the Leitzphone is completely price contemplating. No Leica comes low cost, and this one is not any exception, however that prime value comes with the reassurance that you’re going to at all times have a digital camera with you able to capturing the pictures you really need to take. How we take a look at telephonesEvery telephone CNET’s evaluations group exams is utilized in the true world. We take a look at a telephone’s options, play video games and take photographs. We study the show to see if it is vivid, sharp and vibrant. We analyze the design and construct to see how it’s to carry and whether or not it has an IP score for water resistance. We push the processor’s efficiency to the extremes utilizing standardized benchmark instruments comparable to GeekBench and 3DMark, together with our personal anecdotal observations navigating the interface, recording high-resolution movies and taking part in graphically intense video games at excessive refresh charges.All the cameras are examined in a wide range of circumstances, from vivid daylight to darkish indoor enviornments. We check out particular options comparable to evening mode and portrait mode, and evaluate our findings towards equally priced competing telephones. We additionally try the battery life through the use of it every day, in addition to working a sequence of battery drain exams.We have in mind further options together with help for 5G, satellite tv for pc connectivity, fingerprint and face sensors, stylus help, quick charging speeds and foldable shows, amongst others that may be helpful. We stability all of this towards the value to provide the verdict on whether or not the telephone, no matter value it’s, really represents good worth. While these exams might not at all times be mirrored in CNET’s preliminary overview, we conduct follow-up and long-term testing in most circumstances.