Unboxing the Xiaomi 17 Ultra: A Premium Smartphone Experience, But With a Surprising Throwback!
Get ready to be impressed! When you first get your hands on the Xiaomi 17 Ultra, you'll notice its packaging is quite substantial, even more so than you might expect from a device like the Galaxy S25 Ultra. This extra heft is mainly thanks to the fast charger that's bundled in. Now, here's a little detail that might surprise you: this powerful charger is likely to be included only with the Chinese version of the phone. For those of us in other parts of the world, it's probable that the international model won't come with a power adapter. If you need one, you'll likely need to head over to Xiaomi's online store to pick it up separately.
But it's not all about what's not included! Xiaomi has also thoughtfully added a high-quality protective case to the box. Forget flimsy silicone; this is a hard case with a transparent design. This means you can show off the stunning color and design of your new Xiaomi 17 Ultra while keeping it safe. And at around 17 grams, it's incredibly lightweight, so it won't add much bulk.
The included HyperCharge charger is a beast, supporting a whopping 100 watts of charging power and weighing in at approximately 113 grams. The phone itself can handle up to 90 watts of charging. However, and this is where things might make you pause, a full charge can take a bit longer than you might hope. Curious to know exactly how long you'll be tethered to a power source? You'll have to dive deeper to find out!
And this is the part that might raise an eyebrow for tech enthusiasts in 2026: Xiaomi's approach to the included data and charging cable feels a bit... old-school. The adapter connecting your phone to your computer sports a USB-A connector. In an era where most modern notebooks are ditching USB-A ports in favor of the sleeker, faster USB-C, this feels like a step backward. It's a bit counterproductive, isn't it?
But here's where it gets controversial... Is it still acceptable for a high-end smartphone in 2026 to include a USB-A adapter when USB-C is the clear industry standard for both charging and data transfer on most new laptops? Or is this a deliberate choice to ensure compatibility with older accessories? What are your thoughts on this? Let us know in the comments below – do you agree with Xiaomi's choice, or do you think they should have fully embraced USB-C for all included accessories?
