Leica Leitzphone Powered by Xiaomi Is All-In on Mobile Images

Leica has had smartphones earlier than, just like the Leitz Phone 1 and Leitz Phone 2, however they had been each manufactured by Sharp and unique to Japan. Leica has switched issues up for its latest Leitzphone, working intently with Chinese firm Xiaomi and bringing the Leitzphone world. Well, principally. Americans will likely be pressured to import the gadget, as is par for the course with most Chinese telephones.

At its core, the brand new Leica Leitzphone is the Xiaomi 17 Ultra, Xiaomi’s flagship smartphone co-engineered with Leica. There is critical crossover between the 2 smartphones when it comes to total options, however the Leica-fied Leitzphone takes the Xiaomi 17 Ultra’s well-placed pictures obsession even additional.

“The Leitzphone reflects how we see the evolution of photography today,” says Matthias Harsch, CEO of Leica Camera AG. “It brings out design principles, imaging expertise, and photographic intent into everyday moments, while remaining true to the passion that has defined Leica for generations.”

Mobile imaging is an important focus for Leica, and has been for years, and the Leitzphone displays the corporate’s curiosity in cellular pictures in addition to any product earlier than it.

“With the Leitzphone, Leica translates this commitment into a device designed for everyday use. It reflects a belief that photography today happens across contexts — sometimes with a camera, sometimes in the immediacy of a mobile moment — and that each situation deserves the same dedication to image quality, intent, and authenticity,” Leica explains.

Designed by Leica, the Leica Leitzphone follows the corporate’s precept to cut back a tool to its core necessities. It incorporates a black fiberglass rear panel with a knurled steel body, akin to Leica lenses, and the corporate believes it appears (and feels) “unmistakably Leica.” As anticipated, it even sports activities Leica’s iconic purple dot brand.

Besides the totally different look, the Leitzphone additionally differs from the Xiaomi 17 Ultra when it comes to its digicam expertise. The cameras themselves are the identical, together with the Leica triple-camera system headlined by a 50-megapixel Type 1 LOFIC picture sensor, 200-megapixel Type 1/1.4 telephoto digicam with a Leica APO 75-100mm lens, and a 50-megapixel Leica ultrawide digicam.

However, surrounding the round rear Leica digicam system is a customizable mechanical digicam ring. This characteristic, absent from the Xiaomi 17 Ultra, lets the consumer management key pictures settings, together with zoom, publicity worth, ISO, and shutter pace. It may also be used to swap between the totally different lenses (focal lengths, as Leica places it) and the built-in Leica Looks.

While there are Leica picture kinds in the usual Xiaomi 17 Ultra, the Leitzphone provides much more. Beyond its Leica-designed UI/UX and residential display, the Leitzphone options 13 built-in Leica Looks, 5 Leica bokeh simulations primarily based on well-known Leica lenses, and photo-centric widgets.

There can also be a devoted Leica Essential Mode that strips the telephone down even additional and places the main target squarely on cellular pictures, together with a Leica M9-inspired shade profile and a monochrome profile primarily based on Leica Monopan movie.

“Leica has contributed its optical expertise, color science, and imaging philosophy, while Xiaomi has provided a powerful mobile platform that enables high-performance processing and efficient workflows. The result is a photographic experience defined by tonal depth, natural color reproduction, and visual coherence,” Leica continues.

The Leica Leitzphone, like a lot of Leica’s latest devoted cameras, incorporate C2PA requirements and helps the Content Authenticity Initiative (CAI), which is of rising significance as smartphones embrace much more AI options.

Pricing and Availability

Leica says the Leitzphone powered by Xiaomi will likely be obtainable beginning immediately via the official Leica web site, Leica Stores, and thru choose retail companions. The firm didn’t specify a value, as it’ll differ by area. The Leica Leitzphone is not going to be obtainable within the United States, though those that select to import the telephone ought to be capable of use it usually.

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Image credit: Leica