A modified concept phone based on the 12S Ultra, which was introduced exclusively in China earlier this year, served as the basis for Xiaomi's announcement in a video broadcast to Weibo. The phone's appearance is mostly unaltered from the original when it is in its usual form, but it has a ring around the camera module that can hold a lens adapter with a mount for Leica M-series lenses.
Image Credits Xiomi
The camera module's 50MP Sony IMX989 1-inch sensor is located in the centre. The Sharp Aquos R6 and Sony Xperia PRO-I both use the same camera sensor. This sensor is only protected when the lens adapter is fitted by a sizable sapphire glass shield that screws onto the top of each camera.
The primary camera on the 12S Ultra, a second Sony IMX989, is still placed out to the side, according to Richard Lai of Engadget. The 48MP telephoto camera, which would typically be in the centre, has been completely gone, and its position has been taken by the 48MP ultrawide camera. Since the telephoto lens is the focal range that can be replaced with interchangeable lenses on top of a crop sensor, this is the camera that makes the most sense to take out.
The real depth of field is one of the benefits of employing a larger sensor and lenses that is shown in the video. This setup naturally creates a hazy background, as opposed to most smartphones' portrait modes, which rely on software to simulate that effect. Focus peaking, zebras, and a histogram are some of the significant overlay modes included in the camera software, and the sensor itself is also praised for its capacity to capture 10-bit RAW stills.
No information is provided as to whether the adapter is more than just an extension tube with a lens mount or if it contains any optical components. The movie does, however, make repeated mention of the strong relationship with Leica and the high calibre of the lenses, as well as the potential for adapters for various mounting systems.
Unfortunately, despite how exciting the video may be for budding smartphone photographers, this phone and lens combination has major shortcomings, primarily the lenses themselves. Leica M lenses are renowned for being exceptionally sharp, robust, and small, but they also lack any technology and need manual focus exclusively. The few zoom lenses that do exist are typically limited to a range of a few millimetres, and the majority of them are prime lenses. In addition, there is
Once more, this is only a concept phone at this time, and there is no information indicating that it will be produced for sale. Although a few devices were produced and distributed to influencers for a hands-on, this is still only an experiment.
Although Xiaomi is unlikely to make its concept phone into a genuine product for the time being, it's possible that a similar project is already in progress for the unavoidable Xiaomi 13 series. Time will tell, and if there is sufficient demand, Xiaomi might give a hybrid phone priority in the future.
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