News
Xiaomi 17 Ultra debuts as 2025’s last full-fledged flagship
Xiaomi’s last hurrah for 2025
Just when we thought brands are getting ready for the next year, Xiaomi wraps up their 2025 by announcing the Xiaomi 17 Ultra at the very last minute — specifically right during the Christmas Day.
New Camera Champ?
The Xiaomi 17 Ultra isn’t called “Ultra” for no major reason. Xiaomi’s all-new flagship boasts a mighty camera system in partnership with Leica.
First and foremost, there’s the Leica Optical Summilux High Speed Lens that’s backed by a 50MP f/1.67 main shooter powered by OmniVision’s biggest and baddest 1-inch LightHunter 1050L image sensor.
ICYMI, the the Xiaomi 17 Pro and Pro Max feature a smaller 1/1.28-inch LightHunter 950L sensor.
Furthermore, Xiaomi brings back that dual variable aperture they have removed from the Xiaomi 15 Ultra. However this time, they have incorporated it into the latest telephoto camera instead of the main sensor.
The Xiaomi 17 Ultra highlights its 200MP telephoto shooter with a 1/1.4-inch Samsung ISOCELL HPE sensor and an adjustable aperture of f/2.39 ~ 2.96.
It also has a “continuous optical zoom” feature between 3.2x to 4.3x range (75mm to 100mm equivalent).
And for the first time, there’s Leica’s APO Optical Certification.
Ultra-wide angle camera is capped at 50MP f/2.2 with a 115-degree FoV (Field of View).
Macro shooting is possible on both the UWA and telephoto modes with minimum shooting distance of 5cm and 30cm respectively.
Front-facing camera is also a 50MP f/2.2 shooter but with a 90-degree FoV.
When it comes to video recording, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra is capable of shooting up to 8K / 30fps or up to 120fps in 4K resolution.
Toning it down to 1080p Full HD or 720p will give better slo-mo options ranging between 120, 240, 480, 960, and 1920fps.
Full-Fledged Flagship
As expected, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra runs the latest and greatest from Qualcomm: the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 3nm SoC.
That’s paired with either a 12/16GB of LPDDR5X memory plus a 512GB or 1TB of UFS 4.1 high-speed storage.
Display is never forgotten. It has a 6.9-inch AMOLED 120Hz 2D display with Superpixel technology.
It’s promised to be sharper than a 2K Pentile display. It’s also more battery efficient with its smaller 1.5K display resolution. Brightness levels can even go as low 1 nit.
Other pro-grade display features include the DCI-P3 Wide Color Gamut, DC Dimming, as well as support for HDR Vivid, HDR10+, and Dolby Vision content.
Weirdly, despite that massive display, the Ultra variant only has a 6800mAh Si/C battery. For context, the base 17 and 17 Pro Max are equipped with 7000mAh and 7500mAh respectively.
That can be topped up either via 90W wired HyperCharge or 50W wireless HyperCharge standards. USB-C PD, QC, and PPS wired charging protocols are supported as well for non-Xiaomi chargers.
For data transfers, it has USB-C 3.2 Gen2 support for faster speeds of up to 10Gbps.
Durability-wise, the front is protected by Xiaomi’s Longjing Glass 3.0. That’s then backed by the flagship-grade triple IP resistance rating: IP66, IP68, and IP69.
Xiaomi was also able to trim down the 17 Ultra’s waist to just 8.29mm (versus 15 Ultra’s 9.3mm). This makes their slimmest Ultra flagship so far.
Lastly, it runs Xiaomi’s latest HyperOS 3 with all the new Android features and AI tools in mind. Cross-compatibility with Apple’s iOS, iPadOS, and macOS weren’t left behind.
Leica Limited
With the continuous partnership of the major Chinese AIoT brand and Germany’s premium camera maker, they have also launched a limited Xiaomi 17 Ultra by Leica.
The original Leica team was involved when making this Limited Edition unit. Thus, the inspiration of Leica M-series cameras.
That dual-tone back panel incorporates a textured leather for added grip. The mid-frame then has the “LEICA CAMERA GERMANY” engraving that provides added anti-slip grip.
And, for the first time in forever, the signature Leica red dot badge is placed at the side of the camera instead of Xiaomi’s “Ultra” branding.
But, the highlight of the show has got to be the Leica Camera Ring*. This is their way of putting the focus ring directly onto the Xiaomi 17 Ultra’s circular camera bump, mimicking how mirrorless camera lenses work when focusing prior shooting.
It’s also user-customizable as settings can be set between switching into different focal lengths, change f-stop (aperture), EV (Exposure Value), even triggering the camera app by fast-twisting the mechanism when locked.
Xiaomi and Leica made it possible by embedding 20 high-strength ball bearings and an internal optical displacement sensor. Those not only gives the tactility, it also gives smooth, fast, and precise focusing.
* FYI, don’t expect this feature to be in the regular Ultra units. This is only limited to the Leica variant.
It doesn’t stop there! It also features an exclusive Leica Essential Mode. This recreates the looks of the iconic Leica M3 and M9 cameras.
As for the process itself, it’s never simple. Xiaomi trained a “RAW-to-RGB” Style Transfer model which gives the closest authentic look possible (such as the Leica MONOPAN 50 film) — more than what regular filters provide.
Lastly, Xiaomi 17 Ultra by Leica introduces the mobile industry’s first CAI Photo Authenticity Protection technology.
It just means that in a photo taken with a digital signature, the original attributes are also stored in the phone’s dedicated security chip. This further ensures that the photograph was really taken through the lenses of the special phone and not by Generative AI.
Pricing and Availability
The Xiaomi 17 Ultra comes in Black, White, Cold Smoke Purple, and Starry Sky Green colorways.
The latest smartphones comes in three configurations:
- 12 + 512GB = CNY 6999 (US$ 980 / EUR 835 / GBP 730 / SG$ 1260 / MYR 4130 / PhP 56,440 / INR 87,110)
- 16 + 512GB = CNY 7499 (US$ 1100 / EUR 900 / GBP 780 / SG$ 1345 / PhP 59,590 / INR 90,980)
- 16 + 1TB = CNY 8499 (US$ 1185 / EUR 1020 / GBP 870 / SG$ 1520 / PhP 67,670 / INR 101,930)
Leica Limited Edition is then available in Black or Off-White duotone shades with only two configurations:
- 16 + 512GB = CNY 7999 (US$ 1115 / EUR 960 / GBP 820 / SG$ 1430 / PhP 63,685 / INR 95,930)
- 16 + 1TB = CNY 8999 (US$ 1260 / EUR 1070 / GBP 920 / SG$ 600 / PhP 70,905 / INR 107,700)
* These are only estimated pricing conversions
The phone will be on-sale in Mainland China starting December 27, 2025 at 10AM. Global availability, just like Ultra releases of the past, were never mentioned.
Hopefully, they will consider international markets this time.
Enterprise
Sony teams up with 13 companies for sustainable global supply chain
Sustainability through introduction of renewable plastics
Sony, along with several companies, have established the world’s first global supply chain for the production of renewable plastics that can be used in Sony’s high-performance audiovisual products.
The supply chain consists of 14 companies across five countries and regions. The various plastic materials manufacture through this supply are slated for use in Sony’s products that will launch worldwide.
High-performance products such as audiovisual equipment involve a wide variety of plastics. The result is a complex supply chain that makes it difficult to visualize and manage the entire flow.
Additionally, plastic components that require high performance in terms of flame resistance and optical properties cannot be fully replaced with plastics from material recycling.
To address these challenges, these 14 companies have collaborated to visualize the existing supply chain for Sony’s products:
- Sony Corporation
- Mitsubishi Corporation
- ADEKA CORPORATION
- CHIMEI Corporation
- ENEOS Corporation
- Formosa Chemicals & Fibre Corporation
- Hanwha Impact Corporation
- Idemitsu Kosan Co., Ltd.
- Mitsui Chemicals, Inc.
- Neste Corporation
- Qingdao Haier New Material Development Co.
- Ltd., SK Geo Centric Co., Ltd.
- Toray Industries, Inc.
- Toray Advanced Materials Korea Inc.
Sustainability through renewable plastics
The new supply chain created will enable the production of multiple types of renewable plastics from biomass resources with a mass balance approach.
This allows Sony to proactively source raw materials for its products with quality, as well as properties equivalent to virgin fossil-based plastics.
Defining the supply chain also helps the companies track and document GHG (Greenhouse Gas) emissions data in a verifiable way.
This allows participating companies to leverage the data to advance efforts to reduce their carbon footprint going forward.
Sony’s initiative with a wide range of global partners is part of the “Creating NEW from reNEWable materials” jointly launched by the electronics giant and Mitsubishi.
It aims to achieve zero usage of virgin fossil-based plastics through the introduction of renewable plastics.
Laptops
TECNO’s MEGABOOK laptops are now available in the Philippines
Exclusively sold at Laptop Factory
With the launch of TECNO’s two MEGABOOK K Series in the Philippines (MEGABOOK K16s 13th and MEGABOOK K15s), they have also announced an exclusive partnership with Laptop Factory — one of the Philippines’ fast-growing laptop distributor.
This will further usher in new productivity solutions to Filipino professionals, students and digital consumers.
Two Ks for Dual Use-Case
TECNO’s MEGABOOK K16s 13th shines on its own way. Equipped with a 13th Gen Intel® Core™ i9-13420H processor alongside a max 32GB DDR4 memory and 1TB SSD configuration, this laptop can easily handle heavy workloads including multitasking, graphic design, even data analysis.
Its large 16-inch 16:10 Full HD display covers the 100% sRGB color gamut. Along with its 2.5W quad speakers, this MEGABOOK brings an immersive audio-visual experience. There’s also the large 70Wh battery — promising of up to 12 hours of use.
The TECNO PC Manager cross-device collaboration app exists for better harmony with your existing TECNO phones and tablets. And with the laptop running the latest Windows 11 version, it also has a built-in Microsoft Copilot AI key to further improve work efficiency. Despite all these ginormity, it manages to weigh at only 1.5kg.
Meanwhile, the MEGABOOK K15s is affordability is at its core. Its slim and light body is beneficial for commuting, while its basic configuration (suitable for daily software operation) together with its long battery life makes it the perfect complement for students and budding professionals. This makes it a true “entry-level high-performance” laptop.
TECNO x Laptop Factory
Laptop Factory is one of the fastest-growing laptop retailers in the Philippines. They are known for their wide selection of global brands, abundant stocks, and know what the local market wants. It’s even recognized by other major laptop brands for its strong growth, competitive pricing, and value-for-money deals.
With this exclusive partnership, TECNO gets a direct path into the Philippine laptop market by tapping Laptop Factory’s well-established offline retail network. For Laptop Factory, the collaboration means expanding its lineup with TECNO’s high-quality laptops — giving Filipino consumers more solid choices in the productivity space.
Together, both brands aim to deliver laptops that fit the everyday needs of Filipinos — whether for work, school, or everything in between. All while growing alongside the country’s rapidly evolving digital market.
Buy a TECNO Laptop, Get a Free Phone!
With this exclusive partnership, TECNO and Laptop Factory are giving away free phones when you purchase one MEGABOOK:
- Buy the MEGABOOK K15s (SRP: ₱44,999) and get a FREE TECNO POVA 7 (8+256GB)
- Buy the MEGABOOK K16s 13th (SRP: ₱46,999) and get a FREE TECNO CAMON 40 Pro 5G (8+256GB)
From February 7 and 8, this BOGO promo is available Buy One Get One Free is available only at Laptop Factory QC Main Branch. From February 9 onwards, the said promo will be available in all offline Laptop Factory stores nationwide.
The number of free gifts is limited, available on a first-come, first-served basis only until February 15th.
Gaming
Horizon Hunters Gathering is an upcoming co-op roguelite spinoff
If you liked Nightreign, you might like this.
Like Valve, the PlayStation’s tentpole franchises are allergic to the number 3. The Last of Us, the ongoing God of War arc, Spider-Man, and Horizon all don’t have a third game yet. These franchises, however, have all gotten rumors of spinoffs. Now, Horizon is getting more than just a rumor; an official co-op spinoff is happening. Say hello to Horizon Hunters Gathering!
Today, Guerilla unveiled Horizon Hunters Gathering, an official co-op roguelite set in the Horizon universe. The game will feature multiple players working to take down difficult enemies, bosses, and dungeons.
The title shares similarities with Elden Ring Nightreign. For one, players can choose between six characters with different roles. The main mode, called Machine Incursion, takes players to a wide map with powerups and roaming monsters. The map then has a shrinking ring that… well, you know what a shrinking ring does.
Horizon Hunters Gathering also has a different game mode called Cauldron Descent. Compared to the Nightreign type of gameplay, Cauldron Descent is a more traditional roguelite mode. Players enter a dangerous dungeon and choose alternate paths that vary in challenges.
Both game modes will be available through an upcoming closed playtest through the PlayStation Beta Program.
Because this is from Guerilla themselves, this is an official game. But it’s far from the only spinoff for the universe. Previously, NCSoft, a South Korean gaming studio, announced Horizon Steel Frontiers, an MMO set in the Horizon universe. Like Horizon Hunters Gathering, Steel Frontiers has an unknown launch date.
SEE ALSO: Horizon Steel Frontiers is an MMO set in the Horizon universe
-
Apps1 week agoBreaking up with Adobe Photoshop after 20 years
-
Gaming2 weeks agoNew DRAGON BALL game project “AGE 1000” for 2027 announced
-
Gaming2 weeks agoBlizzard will host four major game showcases starting this week
-
Gaming7 days agoPlayStation, LE SSERAFIM Chaewon team for the ‘Love of Play’ campaign
-
Automotive2 weeks agoVinFast updates battery subscription policy for large upfront savings
-
Gaming2 weeks agoXiaomi SU7 Ultra makes Gran Turismo 7 debut
-
Accessories7 days agoSony WF-1000XM6 was accidentally leaked online
-
Computers2 weeks ago3D printing made accessible: Bambu Lab moves closer to everyday consumers












