Leica Fails: Xiaomi 17 Ultra and 17 Pro Algorithms Mistake Sun for Moon

The Leica brand in the smartphone world is inextricably linked to Xiaomi cameras. Despite partnerships with other manufacturers like Insta360 or Sharp, and the release of exclusive Leica Leitzphone models by Xiaomi, the reputational damage from these algorithmic errors casts a shadow over the German optics manufacturer. The recent example of photographing the solar eclipse on August 12, 2026, clearly demonstrated how vulnerable modern image processing systems have become.

AI Glitch: Solar Eclipse Turns Into a ‘Blood Moon’

Social media users noticed strange artifacts when attempting to photograph the solar eclipse with Xiaomi 17 series smartphones. Instead of a clear image of the sun, Xiaomi’s algorithms mistook the Sun for the Moon and overlaid it with a lunar surface texture featuring characteristic craters. As a result, the photos looked like AI-generated work, far removed from reality.

Xiaomi 17 Pro and Other Affected Models

The issue was not limited to the flagship 17 Ultra. On Reddit, users actively discussed shots taken on the Xiaomi 17 Pro, which exhibited the same ‘sky replacement’ effect. A comparison conducted by the French magazine Fandroid confirmed that this issue is selective: competitor smartphones, including the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, Google Pixel 10 Pro XL, and Oppo Find X9 Ultra, displayed the eclipse correctly without resorting to data manipulation.

Comparative Camera Testing During the Eclipse

Industry Precedents: Who Else Messed Up the ‘Moon Mode’

It is worth noting that scandals involving AI moon processing have occurred before. Samsung and Huawei have been repeatedly criticized for their ‘Moon Mode,’ which replaces blurry shots of the real Moon with pre-loaded high-quality images. However, Xiaomi has taken the problem to a new level, with its proprietary algorithm spontaneously activating this type of processing in inappropriate scenarios, such as during a solar eclipse.

Can You Trust Xiaomi Cameras?

Despite technical innovations, image processing automation on 2026 flagships requires refinement. Using the Leica marketing label in this instance creates expectations of professional quality, yet algorithmic errors undermine the benefits of the optics. Xiaomi owners are left hoping for future software updates that will either curb the AI’s ‘imagination’ or allow users to disable automatic correction during complex lighting scenarios.