Xiaomi magnetic camera moves to mass production with 100MP sensor

Xiaomi's experimental magnetic camera, first shown as a concept at MWC 2025, appears to be moving from idea to actual product. According to insider Digital Chat Station, preparations have begun for mass production of magnetic lenses, which could hit the market soon.

While the source doesn't name a specific company, most leaks point to Xiaomi. This refers to the modular optical system that company CEO Lei Jun demonstrated alongside the Xiaomi 15 series. Initially described as an in-house project, interest was so high that the idea has progressed.

The system centers on a removable magnetic lens with a large Micro Four Thirds sensor and a set of aspherical lenses. It offers 100MP resolution, a 35mm equivalent focal length, and a bright f/1.4 aperture. This combination promises excellent low-light performance and more lifelike images with natural background blur.

The data transfer method is particularly noteworthy. Xiaomi uses a laser channel with speeds up to 10 Gbps, enabling uncompressed RAW photos to be sent directly to the smartphone. The camera operates wirelessly without its own battery—the module simply attaches to the phone's body.

The system is complemented by Xiaomi's proprietary AISP computational imaging stack, based on a built-in AI model. It supports UltraRAW format shooting and dynamic range up to 16 stops, bringing smartphone capabilities closer to professional cameras.

If Xiaomi implements all the stated technologies in a commercial version, this removable magnetic lens could become one of the most unusual and ambitious solutions in mobile photography.