This Modular Phone Concept Is Xiaomi’s Plan to Kill the Camera Bump Leave a comment

Key to its success is Xiaomi’s LaserLink know-how. This can be a proprietary optical communication module, obvious as a small dot on the again of the telephone and the lens the place information is transferred as mild (near-infrared laser) at speeds of as much as 10 Gbps. It is quick sufficient to work in live performance with Xiaomi’s AI and computational pictures on the telephone in a approach that conventional exterior lenses can not.

The lens has two pins that join on the again to attract energy from the telephone, and Xiaomi says the ability draw of the lens is akin to a built-in digital camera system. It’s moveable sufficient to slide in a bag or pocket and the straightforward plug-and-play nature makes it straightforward to make use of. This technique might enable for an entire vary of specialist lenses for photographers, although you may have to recollect to take them with you, which negates one of many huge benefits of standard telephone cameras.

Contemplating the LaserLink know-how and energy switch, it looks as if this technique might enable for an entire vary of different magnetic equipment past pictures. I’m occupied with chargers, energy banks, and cell recreation controllers (the low latency is ideal for gaming). It might additionally sooner or later allow you to attach seamlessly to different gadgets in Xiaomi’s broader ecosystem, which incorporates audio system, all types of sensible house devices, and even vehicles. There is no Qi2 help within the Xiaomi 15 vary, however this new proprietary system might be why it was handed over.

Earlier than you get too excited, that is nonetheless only a idea with no agency launch schedule or pricing. We have seen modular telephones fail and disappoint earlier than, together with efforts from Google, LG, Motorola, and most just lately HMD. However Xiaomi’s prototype was surprisingly polished, and the potential of a system like that is apparent. Extra balanced designs with out big digital camera modules, however the choice to rival a devoted digital camera after I must? Signal me up.