Xiaomi brought its Modular Optical System smartphone prototype at its MWC 2025 booth in Barcelona, where I had the chance to try out. The brand initially unveiled this concept device during the launch of its Xiaomi 15 Series a day prior.
The base of this system is a standard Xiaomi 15 smartphone, or at least, that’s what Xiaomi wants us to believe. No exact specifications were given, but it’s assumed to be identical to the retail model. The only visible difference is a MagSafe-like magnetic ring on the back, accompanied by two tiny pin slots designed to connect with a proprietary camera lens module.
That lens module itself is where things get really interesting. It’s slightly smaller than typical mirrorless camera lenses, and based on its design, it appears to be built from the ground up. There’s no mention of Leica’s involvement, which is notable given Xiaomi’s recent imaging partnerships. Another key difference from traditional lenses is that the back of the module is completely sealed, with only the magnetic connection and pogo pins exposed.
A Xiaomi representative at the booth explained that this module is equipped with the company’s proprietary LaserLink technology, allowing for 10Gbps optical data transfer. It also comes with its own built-in sensor, a 100MP Light Fusion X Type 4/3 sensor that’s paired with a 35mm f/1.4 lens. When asked about power usage, the spokesperson explained that the module draws power from the base smartphone’s battery during use.
Connecting the two halves of the Modular Optical System is as simple as snapping the lens onto the phone. Once attached, activating the lens is done through a simple tap on a unique icon on the camera app’s interface. Impressively, the connection between the phone and lens is established almost immediately.
As expected, image quality is significantly better than what you’d get from a standard smartphone sensor. Thanks to the independent 100MP sensor in the lens module, the photos come out almost comparable to what you’d expect from a mirrorless camera.
By default, the system handles all settings automatically, but manual controls are available for those who like to tinker with exposure, ISO and more. I should also point out that my test session was done indoors, and I experienced no noticeable shutter lag while snapping some photos.
The lens’ 35mm focal length makes it ideal for landscapes, but it’s also a solid choice for portrait photography – offering sharp and detailed images, with natural bokeh. It even features a rotating ring for manual focus adjustment, offering a more involved photography experience. According to Xiaomi, the same ring can also be used to adjust aperture and zoom digitally, though these features weren’t functional for this demonstration.
At its core, the Modular Optical System explores a potential scenario for mobile photography, where the phone itself acts as a base while an independent sensor handles imaging. It’s an ambitious and interesting idea, though perhaps not the most practical. But if done right, it could become revolutionary. That said, I wouldn’t mind taking this out in the field for further testing if given the chance.
Xiaomi has no concrete plans to bring this to market. If anything, it may remain as a concept, much like the Xiaomi 12S Ultra Concept which the company showcased back in 2022.
