The Xiaomi 16 Ultra (2025) features a 1-inch type main sensor with Leica Summilux optics, RAW capture in DNG format via Pro mode, and no mechanical shutter — the image counter stored in each DNG file records total electronic captures. Drop a Pro mode DNG to read it instantly.
Check Image Counter →The Xiaomi 16 Ultra (2025) is Xiaomi’s flagship photography smartphone, built around a 1-inch type main sensor with a Leica Summilux f/1.6 lens — the largest sensor in the Xiaomi 16 series and one of the largest sensors fitted to a smartphone. The 1-inch form factor provides a significantly larger photosite area than conventional smartphone sensors, translating to superior dynamic range, lower noise at high ISO, and more natural background separation. The Leica co-development on the Ultra extends to the full optical chain: lens design, coating, and colour calibration are tuned to Leica standards.
The telephoto system on the Xiaomi 16 Ultra adds a periscope lens with high optical zoom reach alongside OIS, complementing the main and ultrawide cameras. All three rear cameras support RAW capture in DNG format via Pro mode.
| Model | Release | Main Sensor | Telephoto | RAW Format |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Xiaomi 16 Ultra | 2025 | 1-inch type, 50 MP, f/1.6 | Periscope, high zoom OIS | DNG (Pro mode) |
| Xiaomi 16 Pro | 2025 | 50 MP, larger sensor, f/1.6 | Telephoto OIS | DNG (Pro mode) |
| Xiaomi 15 Ultra | 2024 | 50 MP, 1-inch type, f/1.63 | Periscope OIS | DNG (Pro mode) |
.dng extension.| What to Check | How |
|---|---|
| Battery health | Settings → Battery → Battery health. Below 80% warrants replacement consideration. The large battery on the Ultra benefits from 90 W wired charging. |
| Main camera lens | Inspect the 1-inch sensor lens element closely — any scratch or coating damage on the large front element causes significant image degradation |
| Telephoto lens | Test zoom accuracy and AF speed; periscope lenses are more sensitive to internal dust and impact than fixed-length lenses |
| Camera functionality | Test all three cameras end-to-end in Pro mode and at maximum optical zoom |
| Image counter | High count (>30,000) indicates heavy photographic use; no mechanical wear threshold applies |
No. All Xiaomi Ultra smartphones use CMOS electronic readout. There is no focal-plane shutter and no mechanical actuation wear threshold.
The 1-inch type sensor is comparable to sensors used in premium compact cameras such as the Sony RX100 VII and Canon PowerShot G5X II. It offers significantly better low-light performance than typical smartphone sensors, though it falls well short of the full-frame and APS-C sensors in dedicated mirrorless cameras like the Sony a7 series or Fujifilm X-T5.
No. The image counter is stored in persistent hardware memory and cannot be reset by any user action.
RAW DNG capture is for stills only. The Xiaomi 16 Ultra supports 8K video and high-bitrate 4K log recording for professional video workflows, but these are separate from the image counter tracked in DNG files.