I tried the viral magnetic camera's phone at MWC – it didn't disappoint

At the Mobile World Congress 2025, Xiaomi presented a modular optical system (MOS) that stops an objectively magnetically on a custom Xiaomi 15. It's like a Moto ModBut with a full, functioning camera lens. I had a short practical session with this concept and made the feeling that there could be a future in which you can attach your camera lens to your phone-and where the camera control is finally useful.

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The functioning prototype of the custom Xiaomi 15 has two small pens and a Qi2-like magnetic assembly system. If you attach the lens, it blocks the pens to pull electricity from the phone's battery. The lens is recognized by Xiaomi's laser link technology, which connects the device to the camera interface so that you can use it on the touchscreen.

Xiaomis Mos consists of a 100 megapixel -light fusion -x -Micro -Vier -Thirds sensor, which is greater than the sensor of a flagship phone phone. The device supports a 35 -mm user -defined lens with a variable aperture up to 1: 11. The lens also has a manual focusing ring that offers a beautiful haptic feedback when you adapt the focus. When I used the lens, I realized that it was the first time when I failed to have a camera-like hardware button to record photos.

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As soon as the phone recognizes the attached lens, the camera user interface shows a switch. Tap on it and the phone switches to display a live view from the added lens. The view is like a 2 -subject harvest on the phone. In contrast to previous concepts, this uses camera processing of the phone for the final admission.

There was another similar concept

In theory, you get a variable aperture of the camera lens, a larger sensor and more on a compact phone with the Xiaomi concept. The technology is also easy to use.

Realme presented a similar concept at MWC 2025. The realm ultra does not use a magnetic camera assembly system. The device assembles the external lens above the camera's camera module.

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The realm ultra can attach any M-mount lens. However, the device is boring and bulky for a connected lens. In this regard, a proprietary camera lens for the Xiaomi phone is better – the technology is easier and more portable.

The modular fun is back or is it?

Xiaomi is considering wider implementations of his MOS. These implementations can contain more lenses to different focal lengths or other accessories, which means that the modular fun is attributed to telephones (RIP Moto Mods and LG G5).

Xiaomi's approach is more intuitive than the modular design of the LG G5 and more functional than the Hasselblad True Zoom Moto Mod. There were problems with the latter, including frames and friction with the software, while the LG phone had to be switched on and off to use certain modules.

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In contrast, Xiaomis is easy, fast and less latency than the modular designs of the past.

The technology is intelligent because the optical pens transmits data to the chipset in real time. As a result, the phone treats the lens as a native sensor to process the recorded shot. The technology is cool and mobile photographers will love you. I hope the Xiaomi -Mos will soon start for consumers.