MWC25 Barcelona: Xiaomi's Modular Optical System A Revolutionary Leap for Mobile Imaging?

MWC25 Barcelona: Xiaomi's Modular Optical System A Revolutionary Leap for Mobile Imaging?The highly anticipated MWC25 (Mobile World Congress 2025) kicked off in Barcelona, Spain on March 3rd, 2025. Major mobile device brands like Xiaomi, Huawei, Lenovo, and Honor, along with carriers and chip suppliers, showcased the latest advancements in mobile communication technology and discussed future trends in the industry

MWC25 Barcelona: Xiaomi's Modular Optical System A Revolutionary Leap for Mobile Imaging?

The highly anticipated MWC25 (Mobile World Congress 2025) kicked off in Barcelona, Spain on March 3rd, 2025. Major mobile device brands like Xiaomi, Huawei, Lenovo, and Honor, along with carriers and chip suppliers, showcased the latest advancements in mobile communication technology and discussed future trends in the industry. Lei Technology's reporting team is on the ground in Barcelona, providing firsthand coverage for global readers.

Xiaomi's booth, representing a leading Chinese smartphone manufacturer, attracted significant attention from overseas media and attendees on the first day of MWC25. Surprisingly, however, it wasn't the recently released Xiaomi 15 Ultra flagship camera phone that stole the show, but rather another Xiaomi imaging product: the Xiaomi Modular Optical System, unveiled by Lei Jun in a domestic livestream on March 2nd.

The Xiaomi Modular Optical System comprises two parts: a specially modified Xiaomi 15 concept phone and a "lens" module. The Xiaomi 15 concept phone features a magnetic ring embedded in the center of its back, along with two metal contacts and a laser communication interface hidden beneath the glass. The "lens" module isn't a traditional single lens; it's an integrated unit incorporating a 100-megapixel Micro Four Thirds (M43) sensor and a 35mm full-frame equivalent lens. Attachment is simple: the module magnetically snaps onto the phone's back, instantly enabling high-quality photography.

Many compare Xiaomi's modular system to Sony's DSC-QX10, released 12 years prior, dismissing it as a mere repetition of old technology. However, the differences are far more significant than initially perceived, potentially exceeding the technological gap between the two brands in the smartphone sector.

Firstly, the QX10 connected to the phone via Wi-Fi, resulting in high latency, low frame rates, frequent disconnections, and a severely compromised user experience. These disconnections weren't simply minor glitches or failed photo transfers; they led to complete interruptions in the viewfinder, requiring a forced app closure and restart.

Secondly, Sony positioned both the QX and QX100 as "screenless cameras." The lens modules contained all necessary components sensor, battery, image signal processor (ISP), and SD card slot with the phone acting solely as a monitor. Xiaomi's approach utilizes a completely different technological pathway.

Consider the photo-taking process: when the user presses the phone's shutter button, the M43 sensor in the lens module captures the light and performs photoelectric conversion. Unlike the QX series, which processed images within the lens module, Xiaomi's system encapsulates the raw data and transmits it to the phone via near-infrared laser communication.

Importantly, data transmission doesn't rely on the two metal contacts; these contacts solely provide power (the lens module is powered by the phone and cannot be charged independently) and act as positioning guides for the lens, not participating in data transfer. The magnetic ring and metal contacts ensure the laser communication interface remains perfectly aligned, enabling a high bandwidth of up to 10Gbps, significantly lower latency compared to the Wi-Fi solution in the Sony QX series.

However, this isn't the most substantial difference between Xiaomi's system and the QX series. The QX series transmitted processed JPG images to the phone, while Xiaomi's module transmits raw data, which is then processed by the phone's ISP for final image rendering. Lei Technology's discussions with on-site personnel confirmed that all optical data is captured by the lens and then transmitted as electrical signals to the phone's chip ISP for secondary processing.

This means the phone in the QX series is merely a controllable viewfinder; image quality is entirely determined by the QX unit itself. Xiaomi's system separates light sensing and image processing, leveraging the advantages of both: the large M43 sensor and 35mm equivalent lens, combined with the processing power of the phone's AI ISP.

This two-step approach of separating light sensing and image processing is precisely the right approach for modular design in the AI era. Compared to the often five-year-plus lifespan of camera lenses, smartphone hardware and algorithms evolve rapidly. New flagship mobile chipsets arrive every year or even six months, offering faster image processing speeds and improved AI post-processing capabilities. Xiaomi's modular solution allows for immediate integration of the latest AI technologies: using a large-sensor lens, users can instantly experience upgrades from new-generation phone ISPs and AI photography via the magnetic and laser communication interface, without worrying about the lens hardware becoming obsolete due to rapid AI algorithm updates.

From an upgrade cost perspective, this design significantly reduces consumer investment in imaging upgrades. Users retain the basic camera on their phone, with "professional" lenses offered as optional accessories. The interchangeable lens design allows users to choose modules based on their needs. On-site staff indicated that the launch of lenses with different focal lengths is a strong possibility in the future.

Beyond additional lenses, the possibilities are extensive. The system uses the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Apex platform, whose AI ISP supports simultaneous input of three 4K video signals. This means the system can technically work concurrently with the phone's built-in camera, for instance, enabling the capture of long-focus parallax spatial video.

Furthermore, the contact power solution eliminates the need for a battery in the lens module. As long as the phone is connected to a power source, even high-power telephoto lenses can operate normally. The 10Gbps bandwidth is sufficient for data transmission and allows for more complex external shooting equipment to be connected.

Xiaomi's Modular Optical System represents a revolutionary breakthrough in mobile imaging, opening up a new market. Naturally, there are limitations. The LaserLink solution and phone power requirement mean the lens module cannot be detached for wireless remote use. Powering the lens from the phone also increases battery consumption. Carrying multiple lenses is more cumbersome than carrying a single phone.

In a market currently favoring "pocket-sized trinity lens" systems, the market acceptance of Xiaomi's Modular Optical System may be limited. However, for the entire mobile phone industry, it signifies a shift in thinking. While it may not displace professional cameras in the short term, if Xiaomi continues to improve the design and fully leverages the advantages of AI processing power in mobile phones, the future where "phones surpass mirrorless cameras" may not be far off.

MWC25 runs for four days (March 3rd-6th), and the Lei Technology reporting team will continue to deliver firsthand news, in-depth analysis, product reviews, high-level interviews, and exhibition Vlogs, witnessing the innovative results of the integration of AI large models, IoT, cloud computing, 5G-A communication, and AI chips technologies. Let us all eagerly anticipate this technological feast!