Went hands-on with the Xiaomi 17 Ultra, and it's more camera than phone The Xiaomi 17 Ultra feels less like a smartphone and more like a high-end camera, with its focus on advanced photography features. The phone’s 75–100mm focal length range delivers a compression effect that enhances portrait shots, as demonstrated by a test shot of a Greco-Roman statue framed against an arched colonnade. The background softened naturally, while the subject’s stone details remained sharp, achieved without relying on portrait mode or edge detection algorithms. The mechanical zoom between 75mm and 100mm operates subtly, with a 25mm range that doesn’t dramatically alter composition. While the engineering behind this continuous optical zoom is impressive for Xiaomi, it doesn’t fundamentally change how users approach photography. Beyond 17.2x, the phone’s AI zoom steps in, sharpening edges rather than inventing detail. At 30x and 60x, images appear crisp but lack the painterly texture of more dramatic zooms. These extreme shots serve as reference points rather than finished products, yet they hold up better than many competitors. The main camera, however, surprised the reviewer, who noted its ability to handle high-contrast scenes with ease. A harbor shot at golden hour, featuring palm fronds, fishing boats, and deep shadows, was captured without losing detail in either the bright sky or the dark foreground. The Leica Authentic mode, which reduces saturation and adds a mild vignette, rendered the scene in a cinematic, cooler tone. The 1-inch LOFIC sensor plays a key role in this performance, capturing a wide dynamic range in a single exposure. A late-night shot of a pink Vespa on a cobblestone street, with street lights casting a yellow glow and lit windows behind, was captured without over-processing.#xiaomi_17_ultra #xiaomi #snapdragon_8_elite_gen_5 #hyperos_3 #leica_authentic_mode
Poco X8 Pro price in India revealed: Redmi Turbo 5 to launch on March 17 with 7,560mAh battery, 100W fast charging and 50MP camera Poco X8 Pro and Poco X8 Pro Max are set to launch in India on March 17, 2026, as confirmed by the company. The devices are expected to debut globally alongside their Indian release. Poco X8 Pro is anticipated to start at around Rs 43,000 for the 8GB + 256GB variant, while the 12GB + 512GB model could be priced at approximately Rs 51,000. The Poco X8 Pro Max is projected to begin at Rs 57,000 for the 12GB + 256GB configuration, with the 12GB + 512GB version likely priced at Rs 62,000. These prices are based on EUR conversions provided by the company. The Poco X8 Pro is expected to be a rebranded version of the Redmi Turbo 5, featuring a 6.59-inch 1.5K OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and up to 3,500 nits brightness. It will include a 50MP Sony IMX882 main camera with optical image stabilization (OIS), an 8MP ultra-wide lens, and a 20MP front-facing camera. The device is tipped to have a 7,560mAh battery supporting 100W wired fast charging. The Poco X8 Pro Max is expected to offer a larger 6.83-inch 1.5K AMOLED display with similar brightness and refresh rate specifications. It may feature a 50MP Light Fusion 600 main camera with OIS, an 8MP ultra-wide lens, and a 20MP front camera. The battery capacity is rumored to be 9,000mAh, also supporting 100W fast charging. Both models are likely to run on HyperOS 3, based on Android 16. MediaTek has confirmed that the Poco X8 Pro will be powered by the Dimensity 8500 Ultra chip, while the Poco X8 Pro Max will use the Dimensity 9500s (3nm) processor with an Arm Mali-G925 GPU. Both variants will include LPDDR5x RAM and UFS 4.1 storage. The Poco X8 Pro Max is expected to support up to 16GB RAM, while the standard model will have 8GB.#mediatek #poco_x8_pro #hyperos_3 #poco_x8_pro_max #redmi_turbo_5
Xiaomi 17 Ultra Review: The Ultimate Camera Flagship? The Xiaomi 17 Ultra presents itself as a premium smartphone with a focus on advanced camera technology, refined design, and flagship-level performance. Its hardware includes a large AMOLED display, Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon processor, a substantial battery, and a camera system centered around a one-inch sensor. These components collectively position it as a strong contender in the high-end smartphone market. The phone’s design has been significantly refined compared to previous Ultra models. Both the front and back panels are flat, meeting a flat aluminum alloy frame that gives the device a modern, clean appearance. The rear panel uses a composite fiberglass material instead of traditional frosted glass, offering a matte-like finish that feels softer and warmer to the touch. While it resists fingerprints effectively, the surface can feel slightly slippery, suggesting the use of a case for added grip. The phone measures 8.29mm in thickness, a notable achievement for its size, though its weight makes it feel somewhat top-heavy due to the large camera module positioned near the top. The volume keys feature a rounded, retro design that stands out from the flatter buttons used by many competitors, offering a tactile and responsive experience. Durability is a key selling point, with the Xiaomi 17 Ultra rated for IP68 and IP69 protection against dust, water immersion, and high-pressure jets. The display is shielded by Xiaomi’s Shield Glass 3.0, which the company claims provides improved resistance to shattering. The phone’s build quality and premium feel contribute to its overall comfort and usability. The 6.9-inch AMOLED screen is a standout feature, capable of displaying over 68 billion colors via a 12-bit panel. While it falls into the 1.#xiaomi_17_ultra #qualcomm #xiaomi #snapdragon_8_elite_gen_5 #hyperos_3
