Xiaomi 12S Ultra Concept Phone can attach DSLR Lens to elevate smartphone photography | Digit

To edge beyond the limitations imposed by physics Smartphone cameras are increasingly relying on smart software solutions like computational photography and AI. But every now and then we do come across a radical concept that transcends the normal and makes a bold statement. 

Xiaomi’s 12S Ultra earlier debuted with a large 1-inch camera sensor and Leica branding. Today the company showcased a wild Xiaomi 12S Ultra concept phone that has two 1-inch camera sensors and can clip a full-blown Leica M-series DSLR lens! 

What are the benefits of a DSLR Camera lens on a phone?

Talking of the hardware, the Xiaomi concept phone has a 1-inch 50.3-megapixel Sony IMX989 shielded by sapphire glass. There is also a secondary 1-inch 48MP ultra-wide sensor now positioned to the side. The lens Xiaomi demos in the video below is a Leica Summilux-M 35mm f/1.4 ASPH module. 

Xiaomi says that the attached lens turns the phone into a “professional photo-making tool” and accords benefits like authentic depth of field against hit-or-miss software solutions. Apart from the size advantage, the camera system will use AI image solutions to process images. It combines software features like focus peaking and allows users to shoot in 10-bit RAW.

Xiaomi 12S Ultra Concept: Price and Availability 

This could be another of the many cool Xiaomi concepts that didn’t make it to the hand of consumers. It was developed alongside the Xiaomi 12S Ultra, which in itself was a very pricey phone with limited availability.

The radical concept is reminiscent of manufacturers experimenting with designs like Moto Mods or Asus Zenfone Zoom – or perhaps even of the same ilk as the modular ones like Project Ara and LG G5. These oddball concepts were always exciting and cool but ultimately failed to make a practical impact and quickly faded into oblivion. Would you pay top dollars for a phone-DSLR hybrid?