Xiaomi Announces Detachable Camera for Smartphone

At MWC 2025, Xiaomi showcased a special version of the Xiaomi 15 with a magnetically detachable camera called the Modular Optical System.

The Xiaomi Modular Optical System concept is a modified Xiaomi 15 smartphone with a modular lens that can be attached when you want to take a photo. The component has a magnetic mount – it supplies power and transmits data. Power is supplied using miniature Pogo contacts, and the proprietary LaserLink data transfer technology allows you to take photos in the standard camera app through an external lens with the same success as with the built-in camera.

Controlling the lens when shooting in Pro mode is as convenient as when working with a regular camera: you can set the focus on objects at different distances and achieve a natural bokeh effect – blurring of secondary objects. With standard smartphone cameras, this effect is achieved with the help of artificial intelligence, and it fails when processing the edges of objects, especially if it is hair and glasses; however, in the Xiaomi concept, a large sensor helped solve this problem.

The smartphone supports proprietary LaserLink technology for instant data exchange between devices.

At the moment, the development is only a concept – it does not have a clear release date or cost.