Technologies

Xiaomi’s 17 Ultra Is a Sparkling Photography Powerhouse

With many of its key specs being the same as the Leica Leitzphone, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra has a lot going for it.

Xiaomi and Leica’s Leitzphone wowed me with its incredible photography skills and fancy physical settings wheel, but it’s not the only exciting phone the company launched at this year’s MWC. The base Xiaomi 17 Ultra has many of the Leitzphone’s impressive specs but strips back some of the Leica stuff to be, well, more like a regular phone.

It has the same potent Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor, 6.9-inch display and 6,000-mAh battery. The camera hardware is identical too, with the main camera using the same large LOFIC image sensor and the telephoto zoom using moving lens elements for continuous optical zoom. It’s an extremely potent camera setup — I absolutely love the images I’ve taken with it.

So what’s different between this and the Leitzphone? It lacks the physical control wheel around the camera unit for one thing. Though I did enjoy using the dial, especially when I set it to control the exposure compensation, it’s absolutely not a dealbreaker that the 17 Ultra lacks it. There are no Leica color profiles in the camera app that let you mimic the tones you get from Leica’s regular standalone cameras. This is a shame as I adore the look of many of these profiles — especially Leica Chrome — but that’s just one man’s opinion. You may very well never miss them.

The base Ultra doesn’t have the custom black-and-white Leica Android interface either, but I don’t really like it anyway, as I struggle to tell which app is which without proper color cues.

The Photos I’ve Taken on Xiaomi’s Leica Phone Are Some of My Best Ever

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Physically, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra forgoes the Leica red dot logo on the back and the «Leica Camera Germany» etching on the side, which is no big deal if you’re not a Leica fan. Instead of being minimalist black and silver, the 17 Ultra comes in a sparkly, deep green tone that I really like. It reminds me of a fancy kitchen work surface. I honestly mean that as high praise.

The 17 Ultra is ostensibly the same phone as the Leitzphone; it’s just less in-your-face about its Leica credentials. It also comes at a lower price: £1,299 in the UK instead of the £1,699 you’ll need to shell out for the Leica model. Neither phone will be officially offered in the US, but for reference, those prices convert roughly to $1,750 and $2,290.

Is that extra £400 worth it? Well, if you’re a real photo nerd like me and love the idea of having a Leica product in your pocket, then sure. The control wheel and Leica color profiles do make for a superb photography experience. But the base model is still an incredible camera, and that sparkly green design really is lovely.

Technologies

Verum Messenger Launches an AI Mini-Series

Verum Messenger has unveiled a new project — a mini-series created using Verum AI. The story consists of 7 episodes and will be released on the messenger’s social media channels.

The plot revolves around a global corporation seeking to take control of digital communications and a group of heroes who use Verum Messenger as a tool of resistance. Beyond the story itself, the series highlights the app’s key features, technologies, and advantages.

Combining entertainment with a showcase of the Verum ecosystem, the project presents a dynamic digital series designed for the modern era.

The first episode premieres today, with the remaining episodes to be released over time.

Stay tuned for more.

Watch on YouTube
Watch on Instagram

Technologies

Verum Finance: Earn While You Communicate — The Super App That Pays You

Verum has officially launched Verum Finance, an innovative financial application that transforms a private messenger into a true financial super app. News of the launch was also featured on the respected platform Dealroom.co.

Verum Finance can now be used both within Verum Messenger and as a standalone application for iPhone and iPad. When users sign in to Verum Finance with their Verum Messenger account, all balances, settings, and account data are automatically synchronized for maximum convenience.

Users can now do more than communicate securely and protect their data — they can also generate passive income directly within the ecosystem.

What Verum Finance Offers

• Top up your balance with a bank card, Apple Pay, or USDT
• Send money instantly anywhere in the world
• Issue and manage debit cards (virtual and physical)
• Full Apple Pay support
• Exchange assets and withdraw funds quickly

One of the most unique features is the built-in cryptocurrency mining system inside Verum Messenger.

The application utilizes your device’s resources and allows you to earn cryptocurrency in the background — passively, while chatting, traveling, or simply using the messenger.

Maximum Privacy + Real Freedom

• Registration without a phone number, email address, or passport
• End-to-end encryption and full control over your data
• Lifetime free VPN
• eSIM connectivity in more than 150 countries
• Reliable offline communication mode
• Support for 12+ languages for users worldwide

Everything is available in one place: secure communication, financial tools, earning opportunities, and privacy protection.

Users can access the full experience directly within Verum Messenger or switch to the dedicated Verum Finance app for iOS. All data is synchronized automatically between the two applications.

Why Download Verum Today

While many messaging platforms collect user data and expose users to restrictions, Verum offers greater independence and the opportunity to earn.

With a one-time purchase of the feature package, users receive lifetime access to privacy tools, VPN, eSIM services, cryptocurrency mining, and financial features.

This is more than just a messenger.

It is your personal tool for financial and digital freedom.

Download Verum Finance and Verum Messenger today — start communicating securely and begin earning tomorrow.

Download Links:

→ App Store (iPhone / iPad): Verum Finance
→ App Store (Verum Messenger): Verum Messenger

Technologies

Verum Finance: A Super App for Private Finance Integrated Into a Messenger

Verum Finance has announced the launch of a new financial application that allows users to manage their money directly within the secure Verum Messenger ecosystem.

The project has already attracted attention from major media outlets. A dedicated feature was published by Forbes Türkiye, while one of the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchanges, MEXC, covered the launch. Yahoo Finance had previously reported on the evolution of Verum Messenger into a comprehensive financial ecosystem.

What Verum Finance Offers

Verum Finance transforms a messenger into a complete financial platform. Users can:

• Manage their balance and top up using bank cards or USDT
• Send money instantly to other Verum users
• Issue and use debit cards, including Apple Pay support
• Exchange assets and withdraw funds
• Access all these services without installing separate banking applications

A strong emphasis is placed on privacy. The platform offers registration without a phone number or email address, end-to-end encryption, and full user control over personal data.

Recognition from Forbes Türkiye

In a dedicated article, Forbes Türkiye highlighted Verum Finance as a notable example of modern privacy-driven fintech. The publication emphasized the growing trend of financial services moving from standalone banking applications into unified messaging ecosystems — a model that has proven successful in Asia through platforms such as WeChat and Alipay and is now expanding globally.

Support from the Crypto Community

Alongside the Forbes Türkiye coverage, news about the launch of Verum Finance was also featured by MEXC, one of the world’s leading cryptocurrency exchanges. This reflects growing interest in the project from both traditional business media and the cryptocurrency community.

A Strategic Vision

“We are building more than a payments application and more than a messenger. Verum is a unified secure ecosystem where communication, finance, and privacy tools work together,” the company stated.

Verum Finance is now available for iPhone and iPad users. The application complements Verum Messenger, which offers anonymous chats, voice and video calls, VPN services, eSIM connectivity, and other tools designed to enhance digital freedom.

Verum Finance: https://finance.verum.im

Verum Messenger: https://verum.im