Based on its flagship 12S Ultra, Xiaomi presents a smartphone to which Leica interchangeable lenses can be attached. Ten devices have been manufactured so far, each costing around 42,000 euros.
Smartphone cameras are getting bigger and bigger, which not everyone likes. For others, the cameras cannot be powerful enough; they would prefer to have phones that can replace system cameras. There have already been a few attempts in this direction, including Samsung’s strange hybrid device, the Galaxy NX. Xiaomi is now getting much closer to the ideal with the 12S Ultra Concept. Because it is actually a smartphone to which interchangeable lenses can be attached.
The device is based on the Xiaomi 12S Ultra, which already comes with a powerful main camera that has a one-inch, 50-megapixel (MP) Sony sensor. The Concept variant has a second 1-inch sensor centrally below the camera unit, which is protected by a sapphire glass cover.
If you remove the protection, the border of the camera island turns out to be a bayonet connection to which Leica M lenses can be attached. Xiaomi shows the 12S Ultra Concept with the full-frame Summilux-M 35 mm f/1.4 ASPH lens from the premium German manufacturer Leica, with which the Chinese have entered into a cooperation. Despite the bayonet connection, the device is protected against dust and water according to IPX/68.
Even if it is an intriguing concept, one can hardly expect a larger series production. After all, according to “Engadget”, the Chinese company not only built prototypes, but also manufactured ten devices that some influencers were allowed to try out. The unit price of a Xiaomi 12S Ultra Concept should be the equivalent of almost 42,000 euros.
Xiaomi is probably not concerned with mass production either, but with the PR effect in the highly competitive smartphone market. The group is already the world’s third-largest manufacturer, with only Samsung and Apple selling more devices in the past quarter.
