Seeking to push smartphone camera capabilities even further, Xiaomi and iconic camera brand Leica have established a joint “Xiaomi x Leica Optical Institute” dedicated to pioneering mobile imaging technologies.
The new institute will leverage expertise from both companies across four major areas – designing ultra-compact yet precise smartphone lenses, advancing computational photography, defining strict optical standards, and researching innovative optoelectronic components.
Over 200 imaging experts will staff three new labs in Beijing, led by acclaimed optical engineer Peter Karbe whose designs powered Leica’s latest lens generation. The upcoming Xiaomi 14 Ultra flagship phone represents an initial embodiment of innovations from this partnership.
By combining Xiaomi’s mobile engineering might with Leica’s revered optics heritage, the Xiaomi x Leica Optical Institute aims to redefine phone cameras through a comprehensive approach spanning sophisticated hardware and computational software.
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Beyond the Xiaomi 14 Ultra, the institute’s breakthroughs lay the groundwork for a new era of mobile photography where phones can genuinely achieve image quality rivaling dedicated cameras. Xiaomi and Leica are perfectly positioned to make this disruptive vision a reality.