Xiaomi’s Modular Optical System

credits: Xiaomi

Just ahead of MWC 2025, Xiaomi showed off its Modular Optical System—a magnetically attached lens module that snaps onto the back of a phone, turning it into a serious camera upgrade. Unlike clip-on lenses, this is a self-contained sensor and lens combo, powered by the phone’s battery and controlled through the camera app.

The prototype features a 100MP Micro Four Thirds sensor and a 35mm f/1.4 lens with a manual focus ring and variable aperture (f/1.4–f/11). The image quality is promising, with fast autofocus, near-zero lag, and a true optical crop to 50mm.

Xiaomi sees this as part of a modular system, with more lenses and accessories down the road. The challenge? Cases, tripods, and gimbals—all of which could be tricky with this setup. If Xiaomi solves those hurdles, this could be the closest we’ve seen to a smartphone-camera hybrid that actually works.

You can see full presentation on YouTube here