Xiaomi idea clips a full-size Leica lens onto a smartphone

Xiaomi’s new concept phone permits a full measurement Leica digicam lens to be hooked up to the again of a prototype model of its 12S Ultra. The model of the smartphone launched earlier this 12 months is already notable for having a 1-inch-type digicam sensor on its rear, which is way bigger than these usually utilized in telephones and extra consistent with what you may discover in a compact standalone digicam. Xiaomi’s new idea provides it each a secondary 1-inch sensor, in addition to a full measurement lens to match. 

In a teaser trailer, Xiaomi reveals how the idea is designed to work with lenses in Leica’s M-series lineup. The Chinese tech big beforehand collaborated with Leica to co-develop the digicam system used within the 12S Ultra, which GSMArena reports included working collectively on the design of its optics. But it says stepping as much as a full-size digicam lens turns the smartphone right into a “professional photo-making tool” providing advantages like “authentic depth of field” somewhat than the software-based background blurring options present in most smartphones. 

It’s an fascinating idea. Smartphone cameras have made big strides in recent times by embracing computational pictures to beat their comparatively modest sensor and lens {hardware}. That raises the query of what outcomes you possibly can get from combining the AI pictures smarts of a flagship smartphone, with the {hardware} of a standalone mirrorless digicam. Xiaomi’s idea follows within the footsteps of equipment like Hasselblad’s MotoMod attachment for the Moto Z. 

Xiaomi says its idea cellphone would draw upon its AI Image Solution to course of images, and supply the power to shoot in 10-bit RAW. The attachable lens would combine with its digicam app, with software program options like focus peaking, zebra traces, and a histogram.