Xiaomi 12S Ultra: smartphones with Leica cameras

The Wetzlar company Leica had been bringing products onto the market together with the Chinese state-owned company Huawei since 2016. After the US government sanctions, sales have plummeted. Apparently, many customers are bothered by the fact that new Huawei devices have not had pre-installed access to the Google Play Store since August 2019. Leica has now announced a partnership with the Chinese company Xiaomi and presented the first jointly developed smartphones. After the high-end smartphones of the Samsung Galaxy S22 series are available, the counterattack from the Middle Kingdom follows. Xiaomi counters with the 12 series, which consists of the Xiaomi 12, the Xiaomi 12 Pro and the Xiaomi 12X. Especially for China there is the Xiaomi 12S Ultra, in which Leica was involved.

Leica lens and Sony image sensor in the Xiaomi 12S Ultra

Xiaomi has worked with Sony and installed the Sony IMX707 main sensor with 50 megapixels in the Xiaomi 12 Pro. With this sensor, the camera system should be able to capture a lot of light and focus particularly quickly. The Pro model also has an ultra wide-angle lens with 50 megapixels and a telephoto lens with 50 megapixels. In contrast, the Xiaomi 12S Ultra, which is only available in China, has a camera that was developed together with Leica. Only the Ultra version is equipped with the 1-inch Sony IMX989 image sensor. A Vario-Summicron 1:1.9-4.1/13-120 ASPH is available for the zoom range. Together with Leica, the Leica Vibrant Look and Leica Authentic Look modes were developed. In the authentic mode, the light fall-off between the center and the corners of the image should be minimal, the manufacturer promises, since the Leica Summicron lens is used for this. In the Vibrant Look photo mode, on the other hand, the color reproduction should be as realistic as possible. In addition to the Xiaomi 12S Ultra, there is also the 12S Pro and the Xiaomi 12S. All 12S models are only available in China but can be imported.

In Europe, on the other hand, there are the Xiaomi 12, 12 Pro and 12X smartphones. The Xiaomi 12 and the Pro version are both based on the current high-end SoC Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 from Qualcomm. In Germany, the Xiaomi 12 Pro costs around 1,050 euros RRP, while the normal Xiaomi 12 is available for just under 850 euros. All of the Xiaomi smartphones mentioned have speakers that have been developed in cooperation with Harman/Kardon. Android 12 with Google services and its own MUI version 13 interface is preinstalled as the operating system.

Also worth reading: Xiaomi 12: Attack on the Galaxy S22 with Sony camera & turbocharger

Collection for the Xiaomi 12S Ultra with Leica camera:

• Xiaomi has announced a partnership with the company Leica from Wetzlar and presented the first products. The high-end smartphones of the Xiaomi 12S series will only be launched in China.
• The Xiaomi 12S Ultra has a one-inch Sony image sensor and a Leica Summicron 1:1.9-4.1/13-120 ASPH lens. In combination with two Leica photo modes, natural images should be created.
• In addition to the Xiaomi 12S Ultra, there is also the 12S Pro and the Xiaomi 12S.
• In Europe, on the other hand, the Chinese company sells the Xiaomi 12, 12 Peo and 12X models. The most expensive smartphone in this country is the Xiaomi 12 Pro at just under 1,050 euros, without a Leica camera.

Source: Xiaomi