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 first thought. The fact that the phone, with the kit attached, looked almost exactly like a camera felt a bit silly, as if you were tricking yourself into thinking it actually was a camera.

But over time, the concept grew on us; it became more than a gimmick. On occasions when you plan to take a lot of photos—such as at weddings, fancy dinners, or 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 the camera up so that you can be in the shot once in a while. If you also use a Xiaomi-klocka, you get a viewfinder and shutter button on it. So, when we got to test the [requested_untranslated_17]]]Xiaomi 17 Ultra, we naturally wanted to see if the concept remained and if it had evolved.

Photography Kit Pro for Xiaomi 17 Ultra

To our delight, all the important elements remained in place. The grip itself is a battery bank of approximately 2,000 mAh, featuring a dedicated video button 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 polarizing filter or an ND filter. The rotating ring also has additional functions if you use the Leica Leitzphone and controls zoom and aperture. Another dial is mounted near the shutter button, which can be assigned to a number of options.

Should you get the Xiaomi Photography Kit?

The Photography Kit isn’t something you use daily. You bring it along for special occasions, and when it’s mounted on the phone, it’s not just a tool—you also enter a photography mindset a bit more than if you just pull out your phone. Naturally, you become more careful with angles, lighting, and framing, and you get a steadier grip. Additionally, you get extra battery so the phone lasts through the entire wedding without needing a charge, because with Xiaomi, you can actually film in 8K, which requires quite a bit of processing power. And that drains the battery.

But you have to pay about 2,500 SEK to mount it on your Xiaomi 17 Ultra, which you’ve already paid 18,000 SEK to hold in your hand. Now the total is over 20,000 SEK, and just like when we tested the Xiaomi 14 Ultra with the Photography Kit, you have to consider whether you should perhaps invest in a real camera. The range of beginner cameras is vast, and you can find many good options under 10,000 SEK—for example, the Sony Alpha A6100 or Canon Powershot G7 X III (to name just two).

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

We do feel, however, that 2,500 SEK is a bit much, even though it includes a case and a power bank. 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 a missing piece for taking slightly better pictures.

Anker sent review units for this review. The providers of materials have no editorial influence on our tests.