Xiaomi is apparently going to blow our minds! It's preparing a camera phone with the same technology that Huawei just boasted about

While the Xiaomi 15 Ultra is still among the best camera phones available today, information about its successor is already starting to leak. The latest reports suggest an interesting trend that could significantly change the future of mobile photography – Xiaomi will likely replace the current 1-inch Sony LYT-900 sensor with a new sensor from the Chinese company SmartSens.

SmartSens – a new star in the photographic sky?

If the name SmartSens doesn’t ring a bell, you’re not alone. This Shanghai-based company specializing in the production of photographic sensors only recently gained wider recognition when its technology debuted in the new flagship Huawei Pura 80 Ultra. For Huawei, which has long struggled with US sanctions, collaboration with a domestic supplier is a logical step – but for Xiaomi, which is not limited by sanctions, the transition to SmartSens would signal something else.

According to information shared on platform X by Indian leaker Kartikey Singh, Xiaomi could use the same 1-inch SmartSens SC5A0CS sensor in its upcoming 16 Ultra model that is found in the Huawei Pura 80 Ultra. This would mean a significant change in strategy, as Xiaomi traditionally relies on Japanese Sony sensors for its premium models.

Why leave Sony?

Xiaomi has always approached the selection of photographic sensors flexibly. In addition to Sony sensors, such as the 1-inch LYT-900 in the current Xiaomi 15 Ultra model, the company also uses 200-megapixel Samsung ISOCELL HP9 sensors and components from OmniVision in its phones. Expanding the supplier portfolio to include SmartSens is therefore a quite logical step.

Several factors could be behind this decision. The new SmartSens sensor may offer a better price/performance ratio, higher light sensitivity, or other technological advantages. A strategic decision to strengthen cooperation with domestic Chinese suppliers cannot be ruled out either. In the context of trade wars and growing technological tension between the US and China, this would make sense.

For ordinary users, however, the more important question is whether this change will truly bring better photographic results. The Xiaomi 15 Ultra boasts an excellent camera with Leica optics, and if the new sensor cannot deliver at least the same quality, brand fans will be justifiably disappointed.

What we know about the Xiaomi 16 Ultra

According to current leaks, the Xiaomi 16 Ultra should be unveiled early next year. While the current 15 Ultra model runs on the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, its successor will likely offer the expected new generation – Snapdragon 8 Elite 2.

The current Xiaomi 15 Ultra features a 6.73-inch WQHD+ AMOLED display with a 120 Hz refresh rate, up to 16 GB of RAM, and storage capacity up to 1 TB. In terms of camera, it offers a setup of four 50-megapixel sensors with Leica optics, including the main Sony LYT-900 and a 200-megapixel Samsung ISOCELL HP9 periscope telephoto lens.

Only speculations are currently circulating about other specifications of the upcoming 16 Ultra model. In addition to the already mentioned new sensor and processor, the phone could bring improvements in battery, display panel, and overall design.

Does this mean anything for mobile photography?

The rise of companies like SmartSens signals an interesting shift in the field of mobile photography. Until recently, the market was dominated primarily by Japanese and Korean companies like Sony and Samsung, but Chinese sensor manufacturers are starting to gain importance. This could bring not only greater competition and innovation but also potentially lower prices for end customers.

At the same time, it is further proof of China’s strengthening technological self-sufficiency. At a time when major Western tech companies are withdrawing from the Chinese market or facing various restrictions, local manufacturers like SmartSens are helping to ensure that Chinese smartphones can function without dependence on foreign suppliers of key components.

For Xiaomi, the transition to SmartSens could represent an interesting advantage in the form of better control over the supply chain and potentially lower costs. Whether this change will also be reflected in the final price of the flagship model remains a question – the Xiaomi 15 Ultra sells in the Czech Republic for around 35 thousand Czech crowns, and its successor will likely not be cheaper.

Photographic sensors – the foundation of success

Although the average user often doesn’t even think about the manufacturer of the photographic sensor in their phone, it is a key component that fundamentally affects the quality of the resulting images. Larger sensors, such as the 1-inch chip in the Xiaomi 15 Ultra, capture more light and offer a better dynamic range, which is particularly noticeable when photographing in poor lighting conditions, and they also give photos the character of traditional cameras and rely less on machine learning.

In recent years, Xiaomi has significantly invested in the photographic capabilities of its flagships, as evidenced by the long-term collaboration with the legendary German brand Leica. If the transition to the new SmartSens sensor is confirmed, it will be interesting to see how it affects the resulting image quality and whether it can maintain the bar set by current models.

The new generation of sensors could bring improvements in processing speed, light sensitivity, or the ability to capture moving objects. All of this, combined with advanced image processing algorithms and artificial intelligence, suggests that the Xiaomi 16 Ultra will once again aspire to be one of the best camera phones on the market.

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Source: Kartikey Singh, Notebookcheck