Xiaomi is working on a mass-market version of an attachable smartphone camera module, aiming to turn what was once a niche accessory into a mainstream product. The company’s Modular Optical System essentially brings a DSLR-grade sensor to a phone, complete with a variable aperture mechanism.
Originally introduced as a concept back in March 2025, the module is now moving toward commercial release. A working prototype was shown behind closed doors at Mobile World Congress, and according to prominent leak source Digital Chat Station, Xiaomi is preparing for mass production with a launch planned for later this year.
Last year’s prototype paired a 100-megapixel Micro Four Thirds sensor with a 35mm lens, housed in a single attachable unit that looked remarkably similar to a compact mirrorless lens. The aperture could shift from f/1.4 all the way to f/11, giving creators far more control than a standard smartphone camera system.
Instead of a traditional lens mount, Xiaomi used a magnetic attachment system to snap the module onto a phone. Data transfer runs through the company’s proprietary “LaserLink” technology, which promises significantly lower latency than Bluetooth or Wi-Fi and speeds up to 10 Gbps. Photos save directly to the phone, and the module draws power from the handset itself. The prototype weighed around 100 grams, raising the question of how much heft the final unit will add.
Xiaomi hasn’t offered a firm launch date, but an announcement around IFA this fall seems likely — the company typically showcases its more experimental photography gear during that period.
via Mobilissimo.ro
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