Xiaomi's modular optical system with magnetic lenses and 100MP sensor could transform smartphones into pro cameras by 2026, offering ultra-fast data transfer and AI processing.
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The mobile industry could be on the verge of a new chapter, with smartphones set to receive removable magnetic lenses by 2026, which are already being prepared for mass production. This news comes from the well-known insider Digital Chat Station, while blogger Ice Universe noted that such modules might hit the market within the coming months, though specific brands have not been officially named yet.
The leading candidate is Xiaomi, which previously showcased a revolutionary solution as part of its Xiaomi 15 series called the Modular Optical System. Company CEO Lei Jun demonstrated this technology live, describing it as an experimental development. The market reaction was immediate, with the project generating significant interest from both smartphone manufacturers and the professional photography community.
The system's concept is simple yet impressive: a compact module with a large Micro Four Thirds sensor and fully aspherical optics magnetically attaches to the smartphone. This lens can deliver a full 100 megapixels, features a 35mm equivalent focal length and an f/1.4 aperture, making it a particularly powerful tool for portraits, street photography, and low-light conditions.
But the key difference isn't just in the hardware. Xiaomi has implemented ultra-fast laser data transfer with speeds up to 10 Gbps, allowing RAW files to be transmitted losslessly directly into the phone's computational photography system. This enables the use of Xiaomi's proprietary AISP AI processing to produce UltraRAW images with a dynamic range of up to 16 stops—a level unattainable even for many traditional cameras.
It's also important that the module requires no cables, separate battery, or complex pairing. It's compact, easily removable, and transforms the device into a hybrid of a smartphone and a professional camera. If this technology truly enters mass production this year, mobile photography could see its most significant leap forward in the last decade.