The Xiaomi 17 Ultra has one of the best smartphone camera arrays of 2026 which makes it pretty amazing for photographers. The Leica Leitzphone version comes with some compelling accessories for photography as well, but in my opinion there are some better accessories out there.
Buy the Xiaomi 17 Ultra on Amazon
Rigging & Protection
SmallRig Metal Cold Shoe Smartphone Mount
Having a tripod mount and cold shoe mount for lighting equipment is extremely important for smartphone photography since the smartphones never include those things. The SmallRig mount is nicely adjustable with two cold shoe mounts, a tripod mount screw hold, and it can even be mounted to another camera’s cold/hot shoe.
58mm push-on or slip-on lens cap
The Camera hump on the back of the Xiaomi 17 Ultra is perfectly circular with a 58mm diameter. That means any 58mm push-on lens cap will work as excellent protection from fingerprints and scratches. Do NOT get the pinch clip style or screw one versions though, only “push on”.
Magsafe magnetic wireless charging case
While the Xiaomi 17 Ultra does have wireless charging, it does not have magnets for keeping a charging cable attached. However, you can get a case with the magnetic attachment in order to enable those Magsafe chargers.
Small or extendable tripods are great for photography as well since you can set up group shots and get into the picture yourself.
Lighting
For photography, lighting is very important. Most phones only have tiny LED lights that don’t do much, so I like to get an extra LED panel to really have some more control over the lighting.
I usually like to carry a 7″x5″ LED panel as it’s not too big and not too small. The SL-57 is pretty nice and has removable batteries.
Pixel G1s RGB 5×2″ Video Light
This one is much more pocket friendly than the 7×5″ panel. It has a non-removable built-in rechargeable battery which keeps the size smaller but means less longevity. If I don’t want to carry a bag of gear at all, this light in a jacket pocket along with the Xiaomi 17 Ultra in another pocket, and a SmallRig camera mount is pretty perfect.
I’ve also got a big 12×12″ LED light panel that I can mount on a light stand for portable battery powered off camera lighting. Setting this up next to a model outdoors and using the Xiaomi 17 Ultra’s 75mm 200Mp lens makes for some pretty awesome portraits.