A concept phone for now, Xiaomi’s Modular Optical System allows users to attach a professional-grade camera lens to a smartphone through a magnetic connection. It integrates a 100-megapixel optical lens with an adjustable aperture ranging from f/1.4 to f/11 and a large 4/3-inch sensor — double the size of the 1-inch sensors found in today’s top camera phones.
The system relies on Xiaomi’s proprietary LaserLink technology, a high-speed data transmission method capable of transferring images and video at up to 10Gbps. Established through a magnetic pogo pin interface, the phone ensures an instantaneous preview experience without noticeable lag. Additionally, the lens itself includes a manual focus ring, allowing users to make real-time adjustments similar to traditional cameras.
According to some who’ve previewed the device, the experience is quite seamless. Once the lens is attached, the phone automatically switches to the external optical lens without requiring any additional pairing steps. Power is drawn directly from the smartphone.
While the hardware feels refined and ready, Xiaomi has stated that the Modular Optical System remains a prototype due to a few significant challenges. First, the cost of production is currently too high for mass-market adoption, making it impractical for commercial release at an affordable price. Second, the addition of the LaserLink pogo pins compromises the phone’s water resistance, a crucial feature in modern flagship smartphones.
While the latter issue may be solvable with better sealing or design modifications, the high cost remains a barrier to mainstream availability.
The question remains: is this system viable in the real world?
On one hand, the Modular Optical System offers tangible benefits, such as superior image quality, an improved manual shooting experience, and the potential for modular lens expansions. Enthusiasts who demand more from their smartphone cameras may find this technology highly appealing. However, on the downside, it still requires carrying an additional lens, which adds bulk and somewhat defeats the purpose of having a compact smartphone camera.
Additionally, since it relies on proprietary technology, compatibility with future devices is uncertain, and widespread adoption might be limited unless Xiaomi commits to a long-term ecosystem.
Xiaomi is not alone in pushing mobile photography to new heights at this year’s Mobile World Congress. realme, for instance, has introduced a concept phone featuring interchangeable Leica-mounted lenses. This approach takes mobile photography even closer to DSLR-like functionality, offering focal lengths such as 73mm for portraits and 234mm for telephoto shots. The industry-wide trend is clear: smartphone manufacturers are no longer just improving sensors and software—they are rethinking the entire approach to mobile imaging by integrating professional-grade hardware in new and creative ways.
