The “more is better” era of smartphone cameras might be over. Leaked renders of the Xiaomi 17 Ultra’s Photography Kit strongly suggest a major strategic pivot: the device is ditching the quad-camera setup for a streamlined triple-camera system.
The Evidence: Photography Kit Renders
The clearest proof comes from the leaked design of the Xiaomi 17 Ultra’s Photography Kit grip accessory. The circular camera module cutout shows clear openings for only three rear lenses. A fourth cutout exists but appears reserved for sensors like laser autofocus or ToF, not a capture lens.
This contradicts previous expectations of a quad-camera array (like the Xiaomi 15 Ultra), confirming the removal of the dedicated mid-range 3x telephoto lens.
Why remove a lens? To replace it with something better. Leaks point to a massive upgrade for the telephoto system: a groundbreaking 200MP periscope camera.
By using a 200MP sensor (likely a Samsung HP3/HP9), Xiaomi can leverage high-resolution cropping to cover multiple focal lengths. A single 200MP lens can provide native-quality zoom at 4x or 5x, and use sensor cropping to deliver lossless quality at 2x, 3x, and 10x. Essentially, one superior sensor does the work of two conventional ones.
The Likely Specs
- Main: 50MP 1-inch sensor (Sony LYT-900 successor/OmniVision OV50K) for elite low-light performance.
- Telephoto: 200MP Periscope (The new powerhouse for portraits and long-range zoom).
- Ultrawide: 50MP sensor for landscapes and macro shots.
Xiaomi is betting that quality beats quantity. If the 200MP periscope delivers as promised, the 17 Ultra could prove that three perfect lenses are all a flagship needs.
Do you consider removing the 3x telephoto lens for a triple-camera setup a downgrade?
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