Thanks to IT Home netizens for sending clues from fried fish with eggs and independent photographers!
IT Home reported on March 3 that at the MWC 2025 conference, Xiaomi showed off a concept product - a magnetic removable lens, which was named "Xiaomi Modular Optical System ( )".
Xiaomi modular optical system consists of a modified version of Xiaomi 15 and a removable 35mm lens. The lens is powered by small spring contacts and uses Xiaomi's proprietary technology for data transmission, so that users experience the same as ordinary built-in cameras when shooting in camera applications.
Foreign media Wired reported that Xiaomi showed a 35mm f/1.4 lens this time, equipped with a 100 million pixel Light X Type 4/3 sensor. The lens has a variable aperture and performs well in low-light environments.
Its installation method is similar to a magnetic accessories, which can be fixed to the back of the phone with a light stick, and then click the icon in the camera application to switch to the removable lens mode. Photos will be stored directly in the album and will be taken in RAW format. The lens has a built-in autofocus motor, which allows you to click on the focus through the screen, and is also equipped with a solid focus ring for easy manual fine adjustment.
When shooting in Pro mode, the lens’ response speed is no different from the built-in camera. When the media tries to focus on subjects at different distances, the photos can present a natural blurring effect—a portrait mode was usually required before. But portrait mode relies on algorithms to identify edges of objects, and it is prone to errors when dealing with details such as hair and glasses.
According to reports, the key to this system lies in Xiaomi's technology: a proprietary optical communication module, each with a small light spot on the back of the phone and the lens, and the data is transmitted through near-infrared lasers, and the speed is reachable. This high-speed connection not only ensures a smooth experience during shooting, but also can collaborate with Xiaomi's AI computing photography system to optimize imaging quality, which is difficult for traditional external lenses to achieve.
IT Home learned that the lens is powered from the phone through two contacts on the back, and Xiaomi said its power consumption is comparable to that of the built-in camera. The lens is compact and easy to carry, and the plug-and-play design also improves the convenience of use. This system may provide photography enthusiasts with a variety of professional lens options, but the need to carry an additional lens has also weakened the advantage of mobile phone cameras' "can be taken casually" to a certain extent.
Technology can not only be used for photography, but it may also expand to more magnetic accessories such as chargers, power banks and gamepads. In the future, it is expected to help users seamlessly connect smart devices in Xiaomi's ecosystem, such as speakers, smart home products, and even cars.
MWC 2025 Special Topic of Mobile Communications Conference
