Xiaomi 12 Ultra: The latest prototype leak features fewer rear cameras than expected
Xiaomi is now widely projected to drop the right-angle-heavy rear camera hump of the Mi 11 Ultra for one much changed in its upcoming successor the 12 Ultra. This putative super-premium Android smartphone is thought to come with as many as 5 rear cameras and/or other sensors, with extras such as dual-tone flash modules also jostling for space on the phablet's back panel.
To this end, Xiaomi is said to have developed a new circular protrusion for the 12 Ultra's rear panel, featuring a central lens around which a range of other components are placed like a watch-dial made of camera components. However, one of the device's latest leaks disputes this theory somewhat.
It consists of an image purporting to show a device described as a 12 Ultra prototype, albeit one with just 3 rear lenses and 1 flash module this time. Rather than the lens that has become almost familiar from other renders in the 12 o'clock position, one finds some lines of text dominated with a large "120X" legend at the top.
Then again, this new and potentially confusing tip is contradicted by others in the same new Chinese-media report showing different, yet also apparently 12 Ultra-related, designs with some or all of its putative lenses restored.
Similar "120X"-headed logos are still in place (which, with details such as "10/12-100mm" and AI CAMERA, may hint at some of the flagship's camera functions) albeit in different positions. Furthermore, the latter is backed up by yet more images of cases with the extensive number of cut-outs necessary to match the 12 Ultra's rumored plethora of lenses and modules.
Nevertheless, the impression that Xiaomi may not have finalized the Ultra's design quite yet is hard to shake. Alternatively, it might be a sign that this new 3-lensed version is destined for an additional model such as those of the 12S line. Should this be the case, it seems that both devices will have the promised Leica branding and a choice of rear-panel materials.
