Xiaomi’s new 17 Ultra Leica Edition is drawing early attention for its camera hardware. But some first buyers in China say the phone’s headline feature isn’t living up to expectations.
Posts circulating on Chinese social platforms suggest that the physical “Master Zoom Ring” around the camera module can feel loose on certain units. In a video clip shared by X user @Devinarde, the ring appears to wobble slightly when touched.
The issue also does not appear to be the result of physical damage. Responding to a comment, @Devinarde said some Leica Edition buyers reported receiving units with a “shaky” or loose camera ring straight out of the box.
The complaint does not seem widespread, though. @Devinarde mentioned their Leica-branded unit feels firm, with no noticeable play in the ring. But for affected users, the issue undermines the premium feel of what is positioned as a photography-focused device.
Notably, the criticism isn’t about camera performance. Early reviews still praise the color science of this phone. Instead, the focus is on fit and finish—an area buyers expect any top-of-the-line flagship to get right.
For buyers outside China considering gray-market imports, this may be worth keeping in mind. Xiaomi is likely to address the issue in later production runs, but early retail stock could carry some risk. Inspecting the zoom ring immediately after delivery would be advisable, especially given limited return windows.
Several retailers are already shipping the Xiaomi 17 Ultra to Europe, including TradingShenzhen, Wondamobile, Trinity Electronics in Hong Kong, and Average Dad Shop in the UK and UAE. Most offer around one year of warranty coverage, with return policies that are far more restrictive than official EU channels.
As Xiaomi continues to lean into its Leica partnership, the episode highlights a familiar trade-off: importing early to get the latest hardware, or waiting for wider availability through official channels for peace of mind. For a closer look, we also have an unboxing and hands-on of the Xiaomi 17 Ultra by Leica here.
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