Xiaomi 17 Ultra introduces eclipse photography mode

A recent photo taken with the Xiaomi 17 Ultra has sparked discussion online after the camera’s capture of a solar eclipse made the sun and moon appear almost indistinguishable. The image, released by the French tech site Frandroid, shows the eclipse’s corona and the surrounding light in a way that some viewers found confusing, as the bright disc of the sun and the dark silhouette of the moon look strikingly similar. Xiaomi’s flagship model, known for its advanced imaging capabilities, was praised for its high resolution and dynamic range, yet the peculiar visual effect drew criticism from both casual users and photography enthusiasts.

The photo quickly circulated on social media, where it received a mixed response. A thread on the technology forum YCombinator garnered 25 up‑votes and seven comments, with users debating whether the camera’s settings or post‑processing contributed to the misleading appearance. While some pointed out that the eclipse’s unique lighting conditions can challenge even professional equipment, others suggested that the phone’s software might have applied an aggressive enhancement that blurred the distinction between the celestial bodies.

Overall, the incident highlights the growing expectations for smartphone cameras to handle extreme lighting scenarios accurately. Xiaomi has not yet issued a statement regarding the image, but the discussion underscores the importance of transparency in camera performance claims and the need for users to be aware of how post‑processing can alter the final output.