This Modular Phone Concept Is Xiaomi’s Plan to Kill the Camera Bump

Key to its success is Xiaomi’s LaserLink know-how. It is a proprietary optical communication module, obvious as a small dot on the again of the telephone and the lens the place information is transferred as gentle (near-infrared laser) at speeds of as much as 10 Gbps. It is quick sufficient to work in live performance with Xiaomi’s AI and computational pictures on the telephone in a method that conventional exterior lenses can’t.

The lens has two pins that join on the again to attract energy from the telephone, and Xiaomi says the ability draw of the lens is akin to a built-in digital camera system. It’s transportable sufficient to slide in a bag or pocket and the straightforward plug-and-play nature makes it straightforward to make use of. This technique might permit for an entire vary of specialist lenses for photographers, although you may have to recollect to take them with you, which negates one of many massive benefits of standard telephone cameras.

{Photograph}: Simon Hill

Contemplating the LaserLink know-how and energy switch, it looks as if this technique might permit for an entire vary of different magnetic equipment past pictures. I’m fascinated with chargers, energy banks, and mobile game controllers (the low latency is ideal for gaming). It could additionally at some point allow you to attach seamlessly to different gadgets in Xiaomi’s broader ecosystem, which incorporates audio system, all types of good dwelling devices, and even automobiles. There isn’t any Qi2 support within the Xiaomi 15 vary, however this new proprietary system could possibly be why it was handed over.

Earlier than you get too excited, that is nonetheless only a idea with no agency launch schedule or pricing. We have seen modular telephones fail and disappoint earlier than, together with efforts from Google, LG, Motorola, and most just lately HMD. However Xiaomi’s prototype was surprisingly polished, and the potential of a system like that is apparent. Extra balanced designs with out big digital camera modules, however the choice to rival a devoted digital camera after I must? Signal me up.