Over the past year, India’s high-end smartphone market has changed significantly, with flagship devices focusing not only on raw speed but also on larger batteries, advanced AI features, and more capable camera systems.
These technological improvements have come with rising prices, largely due to increasing component costs and premium hardware upgrades.
India’s Premium Smartphone Market Shifts Focus to Bigger Batteries, Smarter AI, and Higher Prices
Fresh leaks suggest that Xiaomi’s 2026 flagship lineup could reflect this pricing trend in India.
Tipster Abhishek Yadav claims the Xiaomi 17 may launch at roughly Rs 80,000, while the Xiaomi 17 Ultra could be priced near Rs 1,25,000.
This would mark a clear jump from the Xiaomi 15 (Rs 64,999) and Xiaomi 15 Ultra (Rs 1,09,999), indicating a shift toward a more premium bracket.
At Rs 80,000, the Xiaomi 17 would cost more than competitors such as the OnePlus 15 (Rs 72,999) and Vivo X300 (Rs 75,999).
Its price would also place it close to the iPhone 17, which starts at Rs 82,900 in India.
The Xiaomi 17 Ultra would compete in an even narrower and more elite category.
That segment includes devices like the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra (Rs 1,29,999), iPhone 17 Pro (Rs 1,34,900), and Google Pixel 10 Pro XL (Rs 1,24,999).
Xiaomi 17 Series May Launch in Europe Without a Price Hike, Suggest Leaks
Interestingly, leaks indicate that European pricing for the Xiaomi 17 series may remain unchanged from the previous generation.
This suggests Europe may avoid a price hike, while India is likely to see an increase.
International versions of the Xiaomi 17 are expected to offer 12GB RAM with 256GB or 512GB storage in Black, Blue, and Green.
The Ultra variant may come in Black, White, and Green, with configurations going up to 16GB RAM and 1TB storage.
Both models are rumored to run on the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset.
The Xiaomi 17 Ultra is expected to feature a 6.9-inch LTPO AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate.
The standard Xiaomi 17 will reportedly have a more compact 6.3-inch OLED screen.
The Ultra model stands out with a Leica-branded triple camera setup: 50MP main, 50MP ultra-wide, and 200MP telephoto.
Xiaomi is also said to introduce updated photography accessories for the Ultra, including an ergonomic grip and magnetic attachments.
The Xiaomi 17 is expected to include a Leica camera system with three 50MP sensors, including a 60mm floating telephoto lens.
Battery capacity differs notably: the Ultra may pack 6,800mAh with 90W wired and 50W wireless charging, while the Xiaomi 17 could offer a larger 7,000mAh unit.
The series is tipped for a March launch in India.
Reports suggest that Pro models may remain exclusive to China.
Xiaomi typically brings its flagship devices to India later than many rivals.
If the leaked prices hold true, this would represent Xiaomi’s strongest move yet into India’s ultra-premium smartphone space.
However, until official confirmation arrives, potential buyers may prefer to wait, especially given that higher prices raise expectations around software support and camera reliability.
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