The Leica That Makes Calls: Xiaomi’s 15 Ultra Blurs the Line Between Phone and Camera

At first glance, it could be mistaken for a vintage Leica. But the new Xiaomi 15 Ultra is very much a 2025 machine—one that wraps cutting-edge smartphone tech in a nostalgic shell of analog photography dreams.

Xiaomi’s latest flagship phone, unveiled at the 2025 Mobile World Congress, feels like a love letter to Leica’s legacy. The 15 Ultra doesn’t just feature Leica-engineered lenses—it looks the part too, with a textured black-and-metal finish and a bold circular camera module that could fool even die-hard film fans.

This design homage isn’t just skin deep. Xiaomi and Leica have co-developed a professional-grade four-camera system, including a 200MP periscope lens and a main lens with a 1-inch sensor, echoing the performance of compact professional cameras. A modular photography kit—complete with physical dials, attachable lenses, and even a shutter button—offers users a tactile, SLR-like experience rarely seen in smartphone photography.

It’s a nod to Leica’s 100-year anniversary, but also a glimpse at the future of hybrid devices: where function meets fetish object. The Xiaomi 15 Ultra doesn’t just capture images—it captures the feeling of holding onto something iconic.