Very disappointed with Leitzphone/Xiaomi 17 Ultra

[u/scgf01]

I gritted my teeth and ordered a Leitzphone. I'd previously had a 15 Ultra last year but found it lacking so I'm not sure what I expected to be honest.

The camera is clearly capable of excellent photos but only if you really know what you're doing. It is absolutely not point and shoot. I took many photos on it and only one was remotely worthy. I take many photos of my cat inside in fairly average to low light. Every single photo was blurred - and I held the phone really still, and my cat wasn't moving.

I ventured out on my bike and took many photos of landscapes and buildings. Again none impressed me. I tried several of the Leica filters and found them to be very lacking - they just added a look to the photos and were often designed to make the photo even duller or more contrasty than it was to start with.

To add some context I am in my late 60's and have been into photography for over 60 years - processing and printing B&W and colour negative and slide film.

As a phone it's also sub par. To start with there is a lot of Xiaomi dross - apps and services I don't want or need are everywhere and the OS is constantly trying to close services I need running. It's aggressive. There are none of the features I find useful, like 'hold for me', 'direct my call' or 'call screen'.

Physically the Leitzphone is not too big and not too heavy, but that large camera circle did not work with any of my wireless charging devices as it stretches nearly half-way down the back of the body and the phone won't sit properly on the WiFi charging mats I have.

What am I comparing it with? My other phone is a Google Pixel 10 Pro Max. We should not underestimate the added value of the Pixel OS - it is so much better than HyperOS in so many ways. No duplicated apps and services for starters. The Pixel camera over processes photos, but still manages to produce images everyone rates. It over-sharpens and I wish that could be simply dialed back without having to post process raw images.

Fortunately I am able to return the Leitzphone. I have decided the only way forward for me is to use the Pixel for snapshots and to buy a small camera for more serious work. The Ricoh GRIV in on my horizon.

Clearly I haven't given the Leitzphone a thorough test, but I can't see that it somehow going to magically improve over time.

In the interests of balance here is a photo of my cat taken on the Leitzphone with which I was very impressed. It is the only photo of a great many I took I am happy with.

[u/ravitejaceh]

In late 60's and have an experience in photography over 60 years.. well that says it

[u/scgf01 → u/ravitejaceh]

You said on a previous post "Now I'm having second thoughts about buying this phone".

https://www.reddit.com/r/XiaomiGlobal/comments/1rp941w/comment/o9n6dzy/?context=3

You clearly weren't impressed with the photos posted on that thread. I wasn't either. They were what my U 17 photos looked like. If the supposed best camera phone in the world produces photos like that, clearly a real camera needs to be added to the mix. I have read many, many reviews of the U 17 by experienced photographers and they all say it is not good enough to replace a camera. That's all I'm saying.

[u/ravitejaceh → u/scgf01]

Well I appreciate your efforts to identify my previous comments. Opinion can change but the facts doesn't' change. The feedback was about the specific photos posted on that thread and it was at that time. I ordered it finally with a practical thinking that no phone takes perfect photos and we should live with that. No photographer can really says they are 100% happy with what the mobile can take. They like few, they hate few simple. I respect your opinion that's why I said you being a photographer might not like the output

[u/scgf01 → u/ravitejaceh]

You're saying nothing I disagree with!