Xiaomi 12S Ultra Concept: Xiaomi reveals experimental smartphone with DSLR lens compatibility

Xiaomi has presented the Xiaomi 12S Ultra Concept, arguably one of the strangest smartphones since the Galaxy Camera 2. As its name suggests, the smartphone shown is a concept. Hence, we doubt that Xiaomi will mass-produce the Xiaomi 12S Ultra Concept, although it has provided hands-on time with units in China.

Supposedly, Xiaomi developed the Xiaomi 12S Ultra Concept alongside the Xiaomi 12S Ultra, the latter of which it introduced in July. Fundamentally, the two smartphones are identical in all but two areas. For one, Xiaomi has swapped the 48 MP ultra-wide-angle camera in the Xiaomi 12S Ultra for an exposed 1-inch camera sensor. Possibly a second Sony IMX989, the sensor sits behind a protective glass layer but without a lens covering it. Instead, Xiaomi has included a Leica M mount for use with compatible Leica lenses.

Theoretically, the design changes allows the Xiaomi 12S Ultra to get closer to the photography capabilities of a conventional DSLR camera. Ultimately, the device serves to show what Xiaomi can do, rather than what it intends to sell to the masses. As with past concept Xiaomi smartphones, we imagine that some of the innovations shown in the Xiaomi 12S Ultra Concept will make their way into consumer devices, such as a variable zoom camera. Incidentally, Xiaomi has already shared sample photos from the Xiaomi 12S Ultra Concept, details of which you can find in our corresponding article. 

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