Xiaomi started manufacturing a detachable camera. You might be able to attach it to your phone this year.

Do you remember the remarkable concept Xiaomi showcased at last year’s MWC 2025? The detachable Xiaomi Modular Optical System camera, which magnetically attaches to the back of a smartphone, was then presented by the manufacturer as an internal project with an uncertain future. However, it now seems that it could arrive on the market this year.

Mass Production Reportedly Started

According to the well-known leaker Digital Chat Station, the module has entered mass production and could appear on the market as early as this year. The exact launch date is not yet known, but the mere fact that Xiaomi has moved the project into the mass production phase suggests serious commercial intentions.

Of course, it’s necessary to consider the possible scenario that Xiaomi will release the product only for the domestic market. It’s not necessarily ruled out that the module could also be purchased in Europe, but currently, nothing specific suggests that.

What the Module Offers

The Xiaomi Modular Optical System is not an ordinary add-on lens – it contains its own 100Mpx Micro Four Thirds standard sensor, which is more than twice the size of the 1″ Sony LYT-900 sensor in the Xiaomi 15 Ultra. The lens with a focal length of 35 mm and an aperture of f/1.4 to f/11 is complemented by a manual focusing ring.

The key technology is LaserLink – laser data transmission at speeds up to 10 Gb/s, allowing the module to utilize the phone’s computational power for image processing. Xiaomi promises UltraRAW support and a dynamic range of up to 16 EV. The module does not need its own battery – it is powered directly from the phone.

Which Phone Will Get It First?

The prototype was demonstrated last year with a modified Xiaomi 15, but it is speculated that the upcoming Xiaomi Mix 5 will be the first phone with the necessary LaserLink connectivity. The biggest limitation of the system remains the fact that it requires special hardware – not just a magnetic ring on the back, but also data contacts for high-speed transmission.

The prototype, which the brand exhibited at MWC, weighed approximately 100 grams and seemed somewhat clumsy on the smaller Xiaomi 15. However, it might fit better on a larger Mix-class device.

Would you get such an add-on camera for your phone?

Sources: Weibo, GSMArena, Gizmochina