Review: Xiaomi 17 Ultra Photography Kit Pro

When we tested the Xiaomi 14 Ultra, we noticed that the addition of the Xiaomi Photography Kit was more useful than we initially thought. The fact that the phone, with the kit attached, looked almost entirely like a camera felt a bit silly, as if you were fooling yourself into thinking it actually was a camera.

But over time, the concept grew on us; it became more than just a gimmick. For those occasions when you plan to take a lot of photos—such as weddings, fine dinners, and birthdays—it provides a sense of security. You get extra battery power, a better grip, you can let the phone hang around your wrist (without usually needing a dangling lanyard), and you can also very easily set up the camera so that you can be in the shot once in a while. Additionally, if you use a Xiaomi watch, you get a live view and shutter release on it. So, when we got to test the Xiaomi 17 Ultra, we naturally wanted to see if the concept had stuck around and if it had evolved.

Photography Kit Pro for Xiaomi 17 Ultra

To our delight, all the essential elements remained in place. The grip itself is a power bank of approximately 2,000 mAh, you have a shortcut button for video, and a shutter button with black and red color options. Around the camera lenses, you can choose between mounting a flat ring or a rotatable mount. In the latter, you can mount 67mm filters for additional effects, such as a circular polarizer or an ND filter. The rotating ring also has additional functions if you use the Leica Leitzphone, controlling zoom and aperture. Another dial is mounted near the shutter button, which can be assigned to several different options.

Should you get the Xiaomi Photography Kit?

The Photography Kit is not something you use daily. It is for those special occasions that you bring it along, and when it is mounted on the phone, it does not just become a tool; you also enter the “photography zone” a bit more than if you were just taking out your phone. Naturally, you become more meticulous with angles, lighting, and framing, and you get a steadier grip. Furthermore, you get extra battery life so the phone lasts through the entire wedding without needing a charge; with Xiaomi, you can actually film in 8K, which requires significant processing power. And that consumes battery.

However, you have to pay around 2,500 SEK to be able to mount it on your Xiaomi 17 Ultra, which you have already paid 18,000 SEK to hold in your hand. The total sum is now over 20,000 SEK, and just as when we tested the Xiaomi 14 Ultra with the Photography Kit, one should consider whether it might be better to invest in a real camera. The selection of cameras for beginners is vast, and you can find many good alternatives under 10,000 SEK, such as the Sony Alpha A6100 or Canon Powershot G7 X III (to name just two).

But the long-standing argument, which is actually becoming difficult to fully debunk, is that a real camera is yet another machine that needs to be charged and, above all, carried with you. Even if a dedicated camera remains superior, no photos are taken if it is left at home. You have your phone with you anyway, and the Photography Kit Pro can easily just stay in your bag until it is needed.

We do feel, however, that 2,500 SEK is a bit much, even if a case and a power bank are included. You can take just as beautiful photos with the Xiaomi 17 Ultra without it. But we also cannot deny that once in use, it does its job and adds another piece to the puzzle for slightly better photos.

Xiaomi sent a review unit for this review. The sender of the material has no editorial influence on our tests.