When a new Xiaomi flagship reaches Russian store shelves, the main question usually isn’t even “what about the cameras,” although they are the best in the world, but two others: how much they’re asking and what exactly you’re being sold — the global version, “Rostest” certified, parallel import, or something in between. This time everything is as transparent as possible: the M.Video store announced the start of sales for the Xiaomi 17 and Xiaomi 17 Ultra and immediately showed prices by configuration. And yes, the price tags are already such that comparison with the iPhone 17 Pro and Galaxy S26 Ultra practically suggests itself.
Who wants one of the best camera phones in the world at a reasonable price and with gifts? Image: techradar.com
How Much Does the Xiaomi 17 Ultra Cost in Russia
As usual, these same phones should cost less in China, so global prices were expected to be much higher than they turned out to be in reality. If we go by the launch prices at M.Video, the prices don’t look all that scary:
Xiaomi 17:
- 12/256 GB — 84,999 rubles
- 16/512 GB — 94,999 rubles
Xiaomi 17 Ultra:
- 16/512 GB — 124,999 rubles
- 16/1 TB — 134,999 rubles
At the same time, the retailer and media mention a promo period with a discount of up to 5,000 rubles (usually this is either a direct discount or bonuses — depending on the specific model and terms). As you can see, the actual price for Xiaomi flagships in Russia turned out to be lower than leak authors had predicted. At the same time, buyers of the new devices receive an extended 2-year warranty and the option of one free display replacement or repair within six months from the date of purchase. And buyers of the Xiaomi 17 Ultra will receive a photo kit — a grip for convenient shooting.
Is It Worth Buying the Chinese Version of the Xiaomi 17
It used to be simpler — any Android smartphone could be bought on AliExpress and used the same way as one sold in Russia by some major retailer. And you could save a nice amount of money. Well, you can still save money by buying the Chinese version of the phone instead of the global one. But along with that, you’ll get a bunch of problems, from Chinese characters in the interface to non-working mobile connectivity. And that’s not all the “nuances” of Chinese versions — there are other problems that can turn a brand-new smartphone into a useless piece of plastic.
That’s an awful lot of «bonuses» they’re promising for a purchase
So, sales have started at a major retailer in Russia, which means the buyer has what gray market imports often lack: clear warranty, a proper receipt, the ability to return or exchange the device by law, and they won’t encounter the downsides of Chinese versions of the Xiaomi 17.
Which Xiaomi 17 Is Better to Buy
The base Xiaomi 17 compared to the Ultra looks more sensible precisely by the logic of an “everyday flagship.” It’s easier to justify the purchase here: you’re getting a modern top-tier device, but without overpaying for a massive camera module and 1 TB of built-in storage, simply because you can.
So the base flagship is an option for those who:
- Want a top-tier level of speed and display
- Want decent cameras without overpaying for marketing and specs that would be overkill for your use cases
- Aren’t ready to pay the price of the Ultra segment
However, if you take a lot of photos and videos, especially enjoy playing with zoom and prefer portrait modes, then you should pay attention to the Xiaomi 17 Ultra. Here the main camera is much better, and the telephoto lens is a whopping 200 MP.
