At the Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2025 in Barcelona, Spain, Xiaomi unveiled a prototype of a modified smartphone capable of accepting a camera lens attachment without the need for external accessories.
The Xiaomi Modular Optical System (XMOS) pairs a customised Xiaomi 15 smartphone with a detachable 35mm lens module, allowing users to attach the lens whenever they want to take photos.
The system utilises tiny pogo pins for power and Xiaomi’s proprietary LaserLink technology for data transfer, enabling seamless photo capture through the phone’s native camera app as if using the built-in camera.
The lens attaches magnetically to the back of the phone, similar to a MagSafe accessory, and leverages LaserLink technology. This innovative optical communication module, visible as a small dot on both the phone and the lens, transfers data via near-infrared laser at speeds of up to 10 Gbps.
While this concept phone has generated significant excitement, it’s important to note that it remains a prototype with no confirmed release date or pricing. However, given its impressive functionality, it’s a promising innovation that Xiaomi could potentially bring to market in the future.