Xiaomi India and Leica Camera have announced a long-term strategic partnership focused on mobile imaging. The aim of the partnership “is the joint development of innovative solutions in the smartphone camera module segment and the optimization of optical performance. The strategic alliance between Xiaomi and Leica Camera AG demonstrates the passion to continuously push the boundaries of what is technologically feasible,” the official statement said. The collaboration promises to offer “consumers the best elements of” the two global brands.
The first smartphone jointly developed by the two companies, the Xiaomi 12S Ultra, was launched worldwide in July 2022. The price of this smartphone starts from 5,999 CNY (about Rs. 70,700) for the 8 GB RAM + 256 GB storage variant. The phone is also available in a 12GB + 256GB model at CNY 6,499 (approx. Rs. 76,600) and a top-of-the-line model at CNY 6,999 (approx. Rs. 82,500).
The Xiaomi 12S Ultra runs on the Android-based MIUI 13 and is powered by the octa-core Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 SoC along with up to 12GB of LPDDR5 RAM. It features a 6.73-inch 2K AMOLED micro-curved display with a refresh rate of up to 120Hz, a touch sampling rate of up to 240Hz, and a maximum brightness of 1,500 nits. The display also supports Dolby Vision, HDR10+ and has a DCI-P3 color space.
The phone has three rear cameras, including a 50-megapixel 1-inch Sony IMX989 primary sensor with an f/1.9 lens and optical image stabilization (OIS). A 48MP camera sensor is also available with a periscope lens in the camera setup. There’s also another 48-megapixel ultra-wide lens. The rear camera setup includes a laser autofocus sensor and an LED flash panel. The Xiaomi 12S Ultra also features a front-facing 32MP selfie camera sensor. A collaboration between xiaomi And Leica enabled users to attach a Leica M series lens unit to their Xiaomi 12S Ultra phones.
Xiaomi and Leica aim to create innovative solutions and optimize optical performance in the smartphone camera module segment through their joint development and design efforts.
“Xiaomi has made breakthroughs in the field of smartphone photography and has rich experience in the research and development of imaging systems and AI algorithms. Leica brings to the partnership its extensive expertise in optical engineering, design, imaging software and consumer experience related to the art of photography. Leica supports Xiaomi in its efforts to achieve the best possible image results in the field of smartphone photography – and to take it to the next level of quality,” the statement said.
The companies were before reported to announce their partnership at Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2023, where they are expected to showcase their collaboration with the Xiaomi 13 series.
