Amidst the innovations unveiled at the Mobile World Conference (MWC) 2025 this week, one new concept reflects a novel direction in mobile imaging. That concept comes from Chinese smartphone manufacturer Xiaomi, and involves a new modular phone system with a magnetically removable camera lens.
A New Xiaomi Concept Phone Has a Powerful Detachable Camera
Known for smartphone design, Xiaomi took advantage of its spotlight at MWC 2025 this week to debut its Modular Optical System (MOS). The concept phone touts a magnetic array reminiscent of MagSafe for the iPhone, meant to attach a compact but powerful camera lens.
In theory, this concept system could deliver incredibly high-quality images, thanks to a 100-megapixel sensor within an inconspicuous 35mm f/1.4 lens. The camera attachment shares its images to the phone instantly via Xiaomi’s LaserLink Communication technology, eliminating the need for pairing or transferring through third-party apps. Furthermore, because the camera system is powered through the phone, there’s no need to charge it separately.
With an impressively large sensor and aperture size of f/1.14, you can capture subjects in low light, as well as achieve those desirable shallow-focus portraits that the iPhone’s Portrait mode tries to mimic.
The Xiaomi Modular System vs. Standalone Smartphones
If you’re like me, you might be wondering if there’s really a market for this kind of system. Phone cameras like those of the iPhone and Pixel have improved drastically over the years, offering a convenient way to capture quality images on the go and without technical training. Then, you can go for the DSLR when you need something more robust than your mobile phone.
Xiaomi’s newsroom announcement references the modular system’s combined approach:
“By combining traditional camera hardware’s superior imaging capabilities with smartphones’ computational power, Xiaomi has pioneered a groundbreaking approach to imaging technology.”
Perhaps Xiaomi’s MOS will illuminate a middle ground we didn’t know we really needed, resting somewhere between the impressive specs of a traditional camera and the user-friendliness of a mobile phone. The fact that the MOS camera is modular means that there is still a level of portability, while its sizable sensor gives it a quality that can’t be achieved by the small, flat camera lenses on our modern smartphones.
The best attempt at squeezing robust camera power into a singular smartphone might be the newly released Xiaomi 15 Ultra, which features a massive round quad-camera module co-engineered with photography legacy Leica. While this is technically an all-in-one approach, it’s probably not the most pocket-friendly design.
Xiaomi formed a partnership with Leica in 2022, and has since tried to push “the boundaries of mobile imaging technology.”
While we don’t know if or when Xiaomi will bring this concept to market, it’s an interesting direction to consider. Should we expect this modular approach to mobile imaging in our future, or is it a passing trend? While offering versatility, previous detachable smartphone lenses haven’t necessarily caught on. But, Xiaomi’s modular design is different: rather than amplifying built-in phone lenses, Xiaomi’s MOS concept introduces an attachable, standalone camera that’s both professional and plug-and-play.
