Xiaomi India and Leica announce long-term partnership: All the details
Xiaomi India and Leica Camera have announced a long-term strategic partnership focused on mobile imaging. The aim of the partnership “is to jointly develop innovative solutions in the smartphone camera module segment and optimize optical performance. The strategic alliance between Xiaomi and Leica Camera AG demonstrates the passion to continuously push the boundaries of what is technologically possible,” the official statement said. The collaboration promises to “bring consumers the best elements of” the two global brands.
The first smartphone to be co-developed by the two companies, the Xiaomi 12S Ultra, was launched globally in July 2022. The smartphone starts at CNY 5,999 (approximately Rs. 70,700) for the 8GB RAM + 256GB storage variant. The phone also comes in a 12GB + 256GB model for CNY 6,499 (approximately Rs. 76,600) and a top-end model for CNY 6,999 (approximately Rs. 82,500).
The Xiaomi 12S Ultra runs on Android-based MIUI 13 out of the box and is powered by the octa-core Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 SoC, coupled with up to 12GB of LPDDR5 RAM. It sports 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 peak brightness of 1,500nits. The display also supports Dolby Vision, HDR10+ and has a DCI-P3 color gamut.
The phone features triple cameras on the back, including a 50-megapixel 1-inch Sony IMX989 primary sensor with an f/1.9 lens and optical image stabilization (OIS). A 48-megapixel camera sensor is also available with a periscope-shaped lens in the camera setup. There’s also a 48-megapixel ultra-wide-angle lens. The camera setup on the rear includes a laser autofocus sensor and an LED flash panel. The Xiaomi 12S Ultra also has a 32-megapixel selfie camera sensor on the front. A partnership between Xiaomi and Leica has allowed users to connect Leica M-series lens unit to their Xiaomi 12S Ultra phones.
Xiaomi and Leica aim to develop innovative solutions and optimize optical performance in the smartphone camera module segment through joint development and engineering efforts.
“Xiaomi has made breakthroughs in smartphone photography and has extensive experience in the research and development of imaging systems and AI algorithms. Leica brings its extensive expertise in optical engineering, design, imaging software, and consumer experience related to the art of photography to the partnership. Leica supports Xiaomi in its efforts to achieve the best possible imaging results in smartphone photography – and to take it to the next level of quality,” the statement said.
It was previously reported that the companies would announce their partnership at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2023, where they are expected to showcase their collaboration over the Xiaomi 13 series.
