Recent data shared by prominent tech blogger @Digital Chat Station reveals the activation volumes of flagship “Ultra” models powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen5 chipset in China’s premium smartphone market. Xiaomi 17 Ultra, launched on December 25, 2023, has achieved an impressive activation count of approximately 233,000 units, narrowly trailing iQOO 15 Ultra’s leading 241,000 activations. Vivo X300 Ultra and OPPO Find X9 Ultra round out the top four with 224,000 and 136,000 activations respectively, highlighting Xiaomi’s strong position in this fiercely competitive segment.
Technical Overview of the Ultra Models
Each of the leading Ultra-tier devices shares the cutting-edge Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen5 chipset, but differentiates through display, camera, and cooling innovations:
- Xiaomi 17 Ultra – Launched December 25, 2023; Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen5; features continuous 75mm-100mm optical zoom and a starting price of approximately $980 USD (6999 CNY, China only).
- iQOO 15 Ultra – Released February 4, 2024; Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen5; incorporates an active cooling fan system supporting sustained performance; initial pricing started at $774 USD (5499 CNY) and currently around $874 USD (6199 CNY).
- vivo X300 Ultra – Available since March 30, 2024; Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen5; unique Zeiss-enhanced telephoto lenses (G2 200mm and G2 Ultra 400mm equivalent zoom); priced from $980 USD (6999 CNY).
- OPPO Find X9 Ultra – Launched April 21, 2024; Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen5; features Hasselblad 10x telephoto zoom “Tianyan” lens; positioned at $1050 USD (7499 CNY).
Market Impact and Advantages for Xiaomi
The Xiaomi 17 Ultra has leveraged its advanced continuous optical zoom capabilities to captivate power users craving versatile photography. Despite a higher price point than iQOO 15 Ultra, Xiaomi’s model has nearly matched the strong activation volume thanks to its flagship appeal and deep camera technology integration.
These activation numbers reflect the expanding consumer appetite for “Ultra” tier smartphones featuring Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen5, especially in China where buyers prioritize cutting-edge hardware and sophisticated imaging. Xiaomi’s ability to convert this interest into activations bodes well for future HyperOS-powered flagship releases, solidifying its market stance against stiff competition.
What readers are asking
- Why is Xiaomi 17 Ultra activation slightly behind iQOO 15 Ultra despite being earlier to market? iQOO’s aggressive pricing and active cooling fan offer sustained peak performance which appeals to gamers, helping boost activations.
- Are these activation figures global or China-only? The data refers exclusively to China launches and activations; global sales figures may differ.
- What is the significance of Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen5 for these devices? It’s the latest high-performance SoC enabling superior efficiency, enhanced AI, and powerful GPU rendering for demanding tasks and photography.
- Will Xiaomi 17 Ultra’s activation keep pace internationally? Xiaomi’s strong China performance and branding suggest positive international prospects, especially as HyperOS matures globally.
