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MagyarLeica Leitz Phone 3: Camera flagship with 1-inch sensor, 240 Hz OLED display and Noctilux simulation unveiled
Leica had already hinted at a new Leitz Phone in its latest annual report, and now the Leitz Phone 3 is official. The camera flagship has a revised design with significantly more rounded corners but retains many of the features of the Leitz Phone 2. The Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 is faster than the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 of the previous model but is no longer quite up-to-date.
This is because the Leitz Phone 3 is based on the Sharp Aquos R8 Pro, which was launched in May 2023. Nevertheless, the features are still unusual even in 2024, starting with the 6.6-inch Sharp IGZO OLED panel, which has a resolution of 2,730 x 1,260 pixels, a frame rate of 240 Hz, and a brightness of 2,000 nits. Leica installs 12 GB RAM and 512 GB flash memory, which can be expanded by up to 1 TB using a microSD memory card.
The 12.6 megapixel f/2.2 selfie camera sits in a central punch-hole, while the large, round camera module on the back only houses a single camera, which is equipped with a 47.2 MP sensor in 1-inch format and a Leica lens with a 35 mm equivalent focal length of 19 mm and an aperture of f/1.9. An ultra-wide-angle and telephoto camera are missing - Leica instead advertises the option of 6x digital zoom.
A special feature of the Leitz Phone 3 is the camera app, which offers a user interface developed by Leica, a revised, optional Leica watermark, and exclusive filters. These so-called "Leitz Looks" are designed to simulate the look of the Noctilux-M 1:1.2/50 mm, Summilux-M 1:1.4/28 mm, and Summilux-M 1:1.4/35, even allowing users to select the simulated aperture. These filters affect the look of bokeh, vignetting, and the appearance of highlights, among other things. Leica Vivid and Leica Enhanced, on the other hand, offer Leica colors with a more modern look.
The case of the Leitz Phone 3 is IP68-certified and, therefore, waterproof. The 5,000 mAh battery can be charged either via USB-C or wirelessly. The Leitz Phone 3 has a fingerprint sensor integrated into the display, an NFC chip, a 3.5 mm headphone jack, and support for Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.3. The smartphone is delivered with Android 14, and Leica does not provide any information on planned updates.
Prices and availability
Like its predecessor, the Leitz Phone 3 will be available exclusively in Japan, where the smartphone will be launched on April 19 at an unconfirmed price. More information on the unusual Leica flagship can be found on the official product page.
Source(s)
Leica (Press release | Product page)
