The Xiaomi 17 Max could arrive with a camera setup powerful enough to rival — or even challenge — the upcoming Galaxy S26 Ultra.
According to reliable leaker Digital Chat Station on Weibo, the 17 Max is expected to ditch the more familiar triple-50MP arrangement used on Xiaomi’s standard 17 and 17 Pro Max models.
Instead, it’s tipped to feature a 200MP Samsung ISOCELL HPE main sensor with a 1/1.4-inch size, paired with a 50MP Sony IMX8-series periscope telephoto sensor. It is also likely to include a 50MP ultrawide. If accurate, that puts it squarely in Ultra-phone territory. In fact, it puts it firmly in Samsung’s crosshairs.
The camera system is also expected to continue Xiaomi’s partnership with Leica. This suggests a strong focus on colour science and photography tools rather than just raw megapixels. On paper, it already looks more ambitious than the vanilla Xiaomi 17. In fact, it is closer to what we’d expect from a full-blown Ultra rival.
Elsewhere, the 17 Max is rumoured to go big in other areas too. Leaks point to a Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset, a roughly 6.8-inch display, and a huge 8,000mAh battery. That capacity would dwarf most current flagships. Charging could be equally aggressive, with reports of 100W wired and 50W wireless support.
There is, however, a catch. Current information suggests the Xiaomi 17 Max may be China-only, with international markets instead getting the standard Xiaomi 17 and Xiaomi 17 Ultra. That would mean Samsung avoids direct competition in some regions — at least officially.
Still, if these leaks hold up, the Xiaomi 17 Max looks like a clear signal of intent. With massive sensors, extreme battery life and flagship silicon, Xiaomi appears ready to go toe-to-toe with Samsung at the very top end. This might be the case even if it happens only in its home market.
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