Xiaomi's Leica collaboration is expanding beyond Chinese borders with the Xiaomi 17 Ultra Leica Edition heading to international markets under a different name. Recent NBTC certification in Thailand confirmed the device will be called "Leica Leitzphone powered by Xiaomi" rather than its original Chinese branding. This naming change reflects Leica's strategy to transition from its Japan-exclusive Leitz Phone line to a global partnership with Xiaomi.

The global version, model number 25128PNA1G, has been spotted in the Geekbench AI database, revealing it will be powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor with 16GB of RAM. Unlike many flagships that launch with older Android versions, this premium device will run Android 14 from day one, topped with Xiaomi's HyperOS 3. The specifications match those of its Chinese counterpart, maintaining the high-performance expectations Xiaomi and Leica have established.

Industry observers expect the Leica Leitzphone to carry a premium price tag, just as its Chinese version costs more than the standard Xiaomi 17 Ultra. While exact pricing remains undisclosed, the device is rumored to become official globally on February 28. This expansion represents a significant move for Xiaomi in the premium smartphone segment, leveraging Leica's prestigious camera expertise to compete against established luxury brands.