Xiaomi 17 Ultra Unboxing, Galaxy S26 Series Leaks, and Week 3 Tech News
The third week of 2026 brought significant developments in the smartphone world, headlined by the arrival of a highly anticipated flagship and fresh leaks about upcoming devices. Here's a breakdown of the key stories.
Xiaomi 17 Ultra by Leica: A Premium Unboxing Experience
One of the most awaited phones of the year, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra by Leica, has begun arriving for review. The device makes a strong first impression with its exclusive dual-tone finish, directly inspired by Leica's camera aesthetics and complete with the brand's signature Red Dot logo.
The retail package is notably comprehensive. It includes a 100W fast charger, a braided USB-A to USB-C cable, a protective case, and several premium accessories: a metal Leica lens cap, a red wrist strap, and a polishing cloth. The phone itself features a knurled metal frame for enhanced grip.
A standout hardware feature is the Control Ring—a mechanically rotating ring encircling the camera island. This ring allows users to zoom smoothly between the different focal lengths and cameras, offering a tactile, camera-like control experience that underscores the Leica partnership.
Galaxy S26 Series Leaks: Chipset Variations and Design Confirmed
Ahead of Samsung's expected February 25 launch event, new Geekbench listings have surfaced for both the Galaxy S26 and S26 Ultra. Both models are listed with Qualcomm's flagship Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 system-on-chip, but with intriguing clock speed variations.
The Galaxy S26 Ultra appears in the benchmarks with a slightly underclocked version of the chip. It features two performance cores running at 4.19GHz and six efficiency cores at 3.63GHz. In contrast, the standard Galaxy S26 was spotted with an overclocked variant, where two cores are boosted to 4.74GHz while the remaining six cores operate at 3.63GHz.
Further design details were confirmed by a leak showing the Galaxy S26 Ultra in a sleek aramid fiber case. The case clearly reveals a redesigned camera island and more rounded corners compared to its predecessor, aligning with earlier design rumors.
Other Notable Developments
Reports surfaced about a now-canceled Xiaomi project, the Xiaomi 17 Air. This device was intended as a direct competitor to the iPhone Air, boasting an incredibly slim profile of just 5.5mm. Despite its thin chassis, the prototype was reportedly equipped with a 6.59-inch display, a dual-camera system featuring a 200MP main sensor, and the same flagship Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset. A video on Chinese social media recently showcased the prototype, highlighting what might have been.
Looking further ahead, early rumors are already circulating about the Galaxy S27 Ultra's camera. It is suggested that the device will feature an updated 200MP main camera sensor, the ISOCELL S5KHP6. While expected to be the same physical size as the sensor in the current Galaxy S25 Ultra, the new component is said to incorporate newer technology for improved image output.
Conclusion
The week provided a tangible look at 2026's first major flagship with the Xiaomi 17 Ultra and offered more concrete details about Samsung's imminent Galaxy S26 series through benchmark and case leaks. The glimpse of the canceled Xiaomi 17 Air serves as a reminder of the ambitious projects that don't reach market, while the very early Galaxy S27 Ultra tip shows the relentless pace of innovation and rumor in the tech industry. The stage is set for an exciting year in mobile technology.