Alongside a world launch for Xiaomi’s 17 Extremely (examine that proper right here), the corporate introduced an extra deepening of its relationship with Leica. The CEO of Leica, Matthias Harsch, took to the stage to announce a brand new Leitzphone, which seems to be a good deeper collaboration than 17 Extremely by Leica, which is a completely different telephone. Confused? That is truthful.
Design-wise, Leica has shifted again to a single tone physique shade, which appears extra “Leica” to this digital camera dilettante’s eyes. And if you happen to’re considering you’ve heard of the Leitzphone earlier than, you in all probability have: it was a collection of telephones made by Sharp that launched in Japan in 2021. All of them had a 1-inch digital camera sensor, as does Xiaomi’s first Leitzphone. It additionally has a mechanical, bodily ring dial across the digital camera unit to regulate settings like zoom, publicity and shutter pace.
The digital camera interface can also be designed by Leica. It is designed to be as intuitive as potential, with an Important mode within the digital camera app that strips away all these modes and labels, showcasing no matter you are trying to shoot. You possibly can change between a monochrome capturing mode and a extra acquainted punchy, contrasty Leica filter. And that is it.
Other than that there isn’t any main standout interface or UI adjustments that I might spot whereas making an attempt out the Leitzphone briefly at Xiaomi’s MWC keynote. Nonetheless, if you happen to’re intrigued by the performance — or the cameras — try our hands-on protection and pattern pictures of the Xiaomi 17 Extremely. The cameras are good.
Picture by Mat Smith for Engadget
All three iterations (the common Xiaomi 17 Extremely , the “by Leica” version and the Leitzphone) have a Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip and a 6.9-inch 120Hz show that may attain as much as 3,500 nits of peak brightness. Whereas cameras are naturally the main target, it’s a flagship system by just about any metric. It additionally has a 6,000mAh battery for prolonged trip photograph shoots.
Barring some Leica-tinged wallpapers and design accents, it is loads just like the 17 Extremely by Leica, simply with completely different messaging. That is Leica’s telephone, made by Xiaomi, however does a rose by some other identify nonetheless have nice low-light images? Perhaps elevated Leica branding will probably be sufficient to coax its digital camera followers into making this their subsequent smartphone, maybe.
Picture by Mat Smith for Engadget
After years of collaboration (and cute little badges), this can be the primary pure “Leica telephone” manufactured by Xiaomi however bought immediately by each firms. It is priced at €1,999 (roughly $2,362), but it surely’s not identified but whether or not this telephone will launch within the US. Welcome to MWC, everybody.
