Xiaomi concept clips a full size Leica lens onto a smartphone

Xiaomi’s New concept phoneA full-size Leica lens can be attached to the back a prototype Leica camera version 12S. The earlier-released smartphone is well-known for its 1-inch-type rear camera sensor. It is larger than most phones, and more similar to what you might find on a small standalone camera. Xiaomi’s new concept gives it both a secondary 1-inch sensor, as well as a full size lens to match. 

In a teaser trailer, Xiaomi shows how the concept is designed to work with lenses in Leica’s M-series lineup. Leica was previously a co-developer of the camera system in the 12S Ultra. GSMArena ReportsIt also included working together in the design and construction of its optics. But it says stepping up to a full-size camera lens turns the smartphone into a “professional photo-making tool” offering benefits like “authentic depth of field” rather than the software-based background blurring features found in most smartphones. 

It’s an interesting concept. In recent years, smartphones cameras have made great strides. embracing computational photographyTheir relatively small sensor and lens hardware was sufficient to overcome them. It raises the question of how you can combine the AI-powered photography of a flagship smartphone with the hardware and capabilities of a standalone mirrorless digital camera. Xiaomi’s concept follows in the footsteps of accessories like Hasselblad’s MotoMod attachment for the Moto Z. 

Xiaomi says that its concept phone would use its AI Image Solution for processing photos, and provide the ability to shoot 10 bit RAW. It would include software features like focus peaking and zebra lines as well as a histogram.