Source and context
Recent activation data shared by a prominent tech blogger reports activation volumes for several Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen5 “Ultra” flagships in China. The Xiaomi 17 Ultra has reached roughly 233,000 activations, narrowly trailing the iQOO 15 Ultra at about 241,000. The vivo X300 Ultra and OPPO Find X9 Ultra follow with around 224,000 and 136,000 activations respectively.
Technical overview of the Ultra models
All four leading devices use the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen5 chipset but differentiate on display, camera systems and cooling solutions. The Xiaomi 17 Ultra, launched December 25, 2023, is noted for continuous 75mm–100mm optical zoom and was introduced at a China price equivalent to approximately $980 USD (6999 CNY). The iQOO 15 Ultra, released February 4, 2024, includes an active cooling fan for sustained peak performance and originally launched at about $774 USD (5499 CNY), with later listings near $874 USD (6199 CNY). The vivo X300 Ultra (available since March 30, 2024) highlights Zeiss-enhanced telephoto lenses offering long-range equivalents (200mm and 400mm), and the OPPO Find X9 Ultra (launched April 21, 2024) features a Hasselblad-backed 10x telephoto “Tianyan” lens. The report frames these differences as the main drivers of buyer preference within the premium segment.
Why it matters
These activation figures illustrate robust consumer interest in Ultra-tier phones equipped with the latest flagship SoC and advanced imaging hardware. Xiaomi’s near parity with iQOO, despite iQOO holding a small lead, suggests camera versatility can offset competition that leans on aggressive pricing and thermal solutions. The data relates specifically to activations in China and speaks to local buyer priorities where imaging and sustained performance are important purchase factors.
Key takeaway
New activation figures in China show the Xiaomi 17 Ultra close behind the iQOO 15 Ultra among Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen5 flagships. The numbers highlight strong consumer demand for advanced camera hardware and sustained performance in the premium “Ultra” segment.
PhonesGATE quick analysis
Xiaomi’s 17 Ultra appears to have converted its camera-focused feature set into substantial activation volume, closing the gap with a rival that emphasizes cooling and gaming performance. The mix of strong telephoto capability and flagship positioning likely attracted photography-minded buyers, while iQOO’s lower entry price and cooling innovation helped it retain an edge among performance-focused users. The spread between the top four devices also signals a fragmented premium market where distinct hardware strengths — zoom, cooling, optics partnerships — are deciding factors.
What this means for buyers
If you value long-range or versatile photography in a flagship, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra’s continuous optical zoom and camera integration are clear selling points. Gamers or users who prioritize sustained peak performance may still prefer the iQOO 15 Ultra for its active cooling and historically lower starting price. Buyers outside China should note these figures are China-only activations; international availability, pricing and demand could produce different outcomes.
3 min read
Xiaomi coverage from PhonesGATE. Published Jul 12, 2026.
Related device context
Readers comparing premium camera-focused flagships may want to look at the Xiaomi 17 Ultra alongside the vivo X300 Ultra for telephoto performance and the OPPO Find X9 Ultra for Hasselblad-branded imaging. For performance and thermals, consider the iQOO 15 Ultra.
Sources and methodology
This article is based on reporting from XiaomiTime, with PhonesGATE editorial context and buyer-focused analysis.