Leica Leitzphone Hands-on: This Is a Very Particular Telephone for Photographers

It appears becoming that on the centenary of the Leica I Model A, the German model takes its iconic legacy and applies it to the Leica Leitzphone powered by Xiaomi. One hundred years after the primary 35mm digicam got here to market, this machine tries to combine trendy and retro in methods different handsets don’t.

Still, the Leica Leitzphone is, largely, an offshoot of the Xiaomi 17 Ultra given they share a lot in each design philosophy and inner specs. Even the photo-centric function attracts parallels between them. And but, this additionally looks like a distinct expertise as soon as you start taking pictures with it, as I’ve for weeks now.

Exclusive Leica Looks — movie simulations and kinds — together with a couple of distinct usability upgrades, make this cellphone one of many extra fascinating to come back to market. It’s additionally what really separates the Leitzphone from Xiaomi’s personal flagship 17 Ultra, additional exemplifying the notion of being a digicam that additionally occurs to be a cellphone moderately than the opposite means round.

An Ode to Leica

Xiaomi and Leica co-developed the Leitzphone, although most of that collaboration clearly focuses on the software program. As they describe it: “Uniting Leica’s iconic design language, signature camera interface, and imaging expertise with Xiaomi 17 Ultra’s peerless hardware configuration, it marks a new exciting chapter in mobile photography and videography.”

The Leica Leitzphone shares the identical specs because the 17 Ultra, aside from minor variations in thickness and weight. One fascinating distinction, nonetheless, is that this cellphone’s case helps MagSafe, whereas the 17 Ultra doesn’t. You would wish a third-party case to get that, as I’ve not confirmed that Xiaomi will make certainly one of its personal. It did launch a 5,000mAh Ultra Slim Power Bank that’s simply 6mm skinny (and amusingly, is out there within the three iPhone 17 sequence colours). Even so, the digicam module’s bigger diameter means round MagSafe equipment match higher than rectangular ones.

On stage on the machine launch, Leica CEO Mattias Harsch mentioned this in regards to the growth: “When we began this project, we did not ask how a smartphone should look like. We asked, what should a Leica phone be like from the perspective of a photographer.”

Rather than a listing of options, there was to be an “attitude” about it, with a “Leica perspective” and, as cellular imaging has developed, “what matters now is character — the way an image feels.” The crimson dot on the again indicators Leica’s authorship and possession, exhibiting that it stands behind your complete expertise, he added.

To punctuate that, Harsch introduced Dr. Andreas Kaufmann onto the stage to underscore the mission’s significance on the highest ranges of Leica’s management. The message gave the impression to be that cellular imaging isn’t a peripheral passion for the corporate, however moderately one thing it’s taking more and more significantly. Whatever Xiaomi pays for the partnership most likely doesn’t damage, both.

That’s additionally why the cellphone has its personal distinct consumer interface, full with distinctive app icons and really Leica-heavy branding. It seems to be and feels refined, right down to the fonts, although third-party apps don’t at all times align with the general aesthetic. The digicam UI additionally bears most of the similar Xiaomi hallmarks, solely to divert within the varied choices unavailable within the 17 Ultra.

The Camera Ring is an efficient instance of one of many few {hardware} tweaks unique to the Leitzphone that additionally makes a software program distinction. Available each on the machine itself and the included case, it rotates both means, solely the tactile really feel is significantly looser on the case to the purpose the place unintended bumps can simply occur. Fortunately, the included lens cap helps mitigate that considerably when the digicam just isn’t in use. On the bare machine itself, nonetheless, the precision looks like focusing a lens, and it’s a elegant feeling when composing a shot.

Reason being is that it will probably alter zoom, publicity, change focal size, or shuffle by means of filters, relying on which you select. Within the digicam settings, a “Camera Ring” part enables you to customise its operate, and what’s particularly sensible is which you could select completely different choices relying on the mode you’re utilizing. For occasion, for those who choose to have it management publicity in Photo mode, but deal with zoom for video, that’s no downside right here. Pro mode takes it additional by including choices for shutter pace, ISO, white stability, presets, and guide focus. Cycle by means of the modes within the menu, and there are variances in what’s obtainable.

Using the Ring myself, its utility is simple to understand as soon as you discover the correct mix. The one on the case received on my nerves from time to time due to inadvertent changes when making an attempt to border a shot, forcing me to re-adjust. The downside, too, is that if it switches, say, 3.2x zoom to three.1, the digicam is now not utilizing a completely optical setup to seize the picture. Like the 17 Ultra, the Leitzphone has a 200-megapixel 75-100mm telephoto lens (3.2x-4.3x), the place the mechanics inside apply even to pixel-binned photographs within the different modes. Any millimeter adjustment inside that vary is only optical, not a hybrid mixture of optics and digital zoom exterior it.

Separation by Legacy

The inner specs are the identical, as is the co-developed processing and colour science, however Leica took a extra proactive strategy with this cellphone by drawing on its legacy so as to add options and choices the 17 Ultra doesn’t have.

Chief amongst them is Leica Essential, a particular mode that emulates the traditional Leica M9 for colour and M3 for monochrome photographs primarily based on Monopan 50 movie. The catch is that the M9 simulation makes use of a set white stability that stays impartial in daylight however tends to lean towards heat tones in low-light and evening pictures. Despite that, each can ship pictures that really feel completely different than some other Xiaomi/Leica cellphone.

There isn’t a lot granularity in the way you pay homage to these traditional cameras and movie shares. While you may make the identical changes as with all different mode (publicity, focus, and so on.), you don’t have guide management over shutter pace, ISO, and white stability. So, for those who needed to dial it again at evening or strive your hand at an extended publicity shot, there’s no means so as to add that stage of management. The point-and-shoot facet nonetheless delivers compelling outcomes, however right here’s hoping Leica and Xiaomi contemplate doing this in future units aimed toward cellular photographers.

Somewhat hidden throughout the Filters menu is an array of Leica Looks. Like with different units these two manufacturers have co-developed, the usual Leica Authentic and Vibrant act because the overarching kinds. Then there are the Leica filters, like Standard, Vivid, Natural, and Blue, which are frequent on Xiaomi telephones, together with the 17 Ultra.

But the remainder are ones I’ve by no means seen on a cellphone earlier than, together with the 17 Ultra. Chrome, Classic, Contemporary, Eternal, Brass, Teal, Monochrome Natural, Monochrome High Contrast, and most intriguingly, an I Model A filter to emulate the grainy black and white movie of Leica’s first 35mm digicam.

These filters are unique gems that hopefully received’t be one-and-done additions. Tapping the ‘i’ button pops up an evidence of what the filter is, what it purports to do, and contains three before-and-after photographs you may gauge by means of the embedded slider. Even higher, the filters are available on virtually each mode within the digicam, together with Pro mode, enabling you to make use of guide controls with the look utilized. The reality which you could additionally shoot 50-megapixel and 200-megapixel JPEGs this fashion is a bonus. My one gripe is that RAW pictures are restricted to 12.5 megapixels.

The filters even work with the onboard video modes. But my favourite half is the embedded slider for every filter, letting you alter the look as a lot as you need. One neat trick is to do it with any of the monochrome modes, letting some colour pop in for an inventive impact that might look cool in sure road images conditions.

The sliders aren’t unique, thoughts you, as you are able to do the identical factor with any filter on the 17 Ultra, besides the efficiency of a few of these additional Leica Looks makes the adjustment really feel extra impactful.

Trust the Process? Depends on the Look

While taking pictures with each telephones, I observed a few fascinating caveats in how they course of photographs. The Light Fusion 1050L picture sensor for the principle digicam is designed to seize as a lot gentle as doable. LOFIC, or Lateral Overflow Integration Capacitor, is designed to enhance restricted dynamic vary, and each manufacturers consider they’ve hit a brand new benchmark with these two units.

For years, I’ve complained that Xiaomi struggled to deal with direct gentle sources, usually blowing them out and typically resulting in clipping. Both the Leitzphone and 17 Ultra mark notable enhancements in that regard.

The solely factor is that I’ve observed completely different Leica Looks result in completely different processing. In some, like I Model A and Classic, the processing lays off on pulling element out of uncovered gentle, whereas others, like Contemporary and Chrome, may get extra out of it. It additionally will depend on whether or not the intense spotlight is because of daylight or to the bulbs. Dynamic vary can typically shift in the identical means, significantly in how Monochrome High Contrast and Eternal are inclined to ship extra dramatic results.

Since the filters additionally work throughout the rear digicam array (they’re disabled for the entrance digicam), these outcomes don’t actually break up, although aperture variances between them can play a job in what comes out. These nuances don’t usually apply the identical strategy to the usual Leica filters that Xiaomi has used on its units for years now. Shoot the identical picture with Standard, Natural, or Vivid, and also you’ll see the refined (typically not so refined) touches.

Unfortunately, metadata doesn’t point out which filter you utilize, so it’s simple to overlook till you’ve educated your eyes to acknowledge the distinctions in every model. One workaround is to open the picture within the Gallery app, faucet the edit icon, then go to Frame, the place Leica ones will often show the Look. Either means, these filters are a ton of enjoyable to make the most of, and in a cities like Toronto and Barcelona, it’s simple to spend hours capturing pictures.

It’s additionally price noting that Xiaomi’s Photography Kit Pro works simply tremendous on the Leitzphone. Well, at the least the grip does, the place it slides in and allows full performance prefer it does on the 17 Ultra. Once related, its personal settings turn into obtainable to tweak as mandatory. The shutter is joined by an publicity dial, a zoom lever, and a devoted video recording button. The lens ring may take 67mm filters, sustaining that assist from the previous two years. A 2,000mAh battery helps add some juice when the cellphone’s battery life is dropping.

Not a One-Off Experiment

Ultimately, is the Leica Leitzphone a restricted commemorative mission or the start of a longer-term product line? Angus Ng, Xiaomi’s worldwide communications director, advised PetaPixel {that a} repeat is feasible.

“We’re going to see — who knows,” he says in an interview. “It’s technically not the first Leitzphone ever, but it is the first one in a long time, and it was the first for us. So, hopefully.”

An “upgraded strategic partnership” between the 2 manufacturers noticed them work collectively on this machine “from zero to 100.” Its €1,999 price ticket makes it a distinct segment luxurious product by any cellphone commonplace, so I’m personally speculating that an annual cadence might be unlikely, however that’s simply me.

“This is the first attempt, right?” says Ng. “In the future, when people maybe want more difference, and want more of a Leica flavor in a Leitzphone then the Xiaomi Ultra series can offer, that’s something we can explore even further.”