Smartphone brands love throwing around the word “flagship”. The Xiaomi 17T Pro is one of the few phones that actually earns it. What surprised me most was not the processor, battery or AI features. It was the telephoto camera. At a starting price of just S$999, the Xiaomi 17T Pro delivers one of the most versatile telephoto photography experiences I have used on a smartphone at this price point. It feels like Xiaomi took one of the most underappreciated smartphone category and decided to make it the star of the show with premium Leica Summilux optics.
The Telephoto Lens You Will Actually Use
Most smartphone users spend their time shooting with the main camera. With the Xiaomi 17T Pro, I found myself constantly switching to the 115mm Leica 5x telephoto lens.
Why? Because it simply makes ordinary scenes look more interesting.
Take the Marina Bay skyline photos. At 115mm, the compression effect pulls distant landmarks closer together, creating a layered cityscape that feels more dramatic than what you would get from a standard wide-angle shot. The Singapore Flyer, Marina Bay and the surrounding architecture suddenly feel connected within a single frame.
Switch to the 230mm crop and the effect becomes even more striking. The close-up view of the Singapore Indoor Stadium almost feels like it was taken with a dedicated camera lens rather than a smartphone. Details remain surprisingly sharp, with clean lines and good contrast even when zooming into distant structures. This is where the Xiaomi 17T Pro starts separating itself from many phones in the same price category. The telephoto lens is not there just for marketing. It is genuinely useful.
Telephoto Is Not Just for Buildings
One misconception about telephoto photography is that it only works for landscapes and city skylines.
The Xiaomi 17T Pro proves otherwise. The portrait shot captured during the clam harvesting experience in Taiwan immediately stood out. Shot at 115mm, the focal length naturally separates the subject from the background without looking artificially blurred.
The result feels more like what you would expect from a dedicated mirrorless camera. Skin tones remain natural, facial details stay sharp and the background melts away gently without looking over-processed.
This is exactly why photographers love longer focal lengths for portraits. You do not need to stand right in someone’s face. You get better subject separation and more flattering perspectives.
Surprisingly Good for Food Photography
Most people would instinctively switch to the main camera when shooting food. I did the opposite. The Basque cheesecake image was captured using the 115mm telephoto lens, and honestly, it might be my favourite food image from the phone.
The telephoto compression helps isolate the cake beautifully while producing creamy background separation. The texture of the cheesecake remains detailed, from the soft interior to the slightly caramelised surface. It creates a more premium, editorial look that feels closer to what you would expect from a lifestyle magazine shoot. For foodies who constantly photograph cafés, desserts and restaurant dishes, this lens becomes addictive.
Macro Without a Dedicated Macro Lens
The butterfly photograph demonstrates another strength of the Xiaomi 17T Pro. You can get close enough to capture impressive detail without needing to physically approach the subject. That matters because butterflies rarely sit around waiting for photographers. The 5x Leica telephoto camera supports close focusing from 30cm, allowing you to fill the frame while keeping a comfortable distance. The result is a clean, detailed image with beautiful natural background blur. No gimmicky low-resolution macro sensor needed.
Leica Colours Continue to Shine
One thing I consistently enjoyed throughout shooting was Xiaomi’s Leica colour science. The flower image demonstrates this particularly well. The orange petals remain vibrant without looking oversaturated. The butterfly retains natural textures while the overall image keeps that slightly cinematic Leica character.
Likewise, the indoor plant by the window photograph shows how the camera handles more challenging lighting situations. Despite bright window light entering from behind, the scene maintains atmosphere while preserving detail in both the foliage and surrounding environment. The images feel realistic rather than aggressively processed.
Big Battery, Big Confidence
A photography-focused phone is useless if the battery dies halfway through the day. Thankfully, the Xiaomi 17T Pro packs a huge 7,000mAh battery, currently the largest battery ever fitted into a Xiaomi Series smartphone in international markets. During shooting sessions involving telephoto photography, social media uploads, navigation and video recording, battery anxiety simply was not part of the experience. When you do need a recharge, 100W HyperCharge support gets you back up quickly.
Premium Camera Experience Without Premium Pricing
This is perhaps the most impressive part. The Xiaomi 17T Pro starts from just S$999 for the 12GB + 256GB variant and S$1,149 for the 512GB variant. In a market where flagship smartphones can easily cross S$1,500 or even S$2,000, Xiaomi is delivering Leica optics, a dedicated 5x telephoto camera, flagship-level performance, a huge battery and premium design at a significantly more accessible price.
The Deep Violet colourway also deserves special mention. It remains one of the most beautiful smartphone finishes I have seen this year, looking elegant without being flashy.
Verdict
The Xiaomi 17T Pro is not trying to be the cheapest smartphone. Based on my experience, it gives users the most camera for their money. The Leica 5x telephoto camera quickly becomes the lens you will keep returning to, whether you are shooting cityscapes, portraits, food, flowers or travel moments. It adds depth, compression and storytelling possibilities that many smartphones simply cannot match.
At S$999, the Xiaomi 17T Pro may well be the telephoto photography bargain of 2026.
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