Are modular camera lens phones legit? I tested two models that everyone’s talking about

At Mobile World Congress 2025, Xiaomi showcased a Modular Optical System (MOS) that magnetically attaches a lens to a custom Xiaomi 15. It’s like a Moto Mod, but with a full-fledged, working camera lens. I had a brief hands-on session with this concept, and left feeling there might be a future where you can attach your camera lens to your phone — and where Camera Control is finally useful.

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The working prototype of the custom Xiaomi 15 features two small pins and a Qi2-like magnetic mounting system. When you attach the lens, it locks into the pins to draw power from the phone’s battery. The lens is detected by Xiaomi’s LaserLink technology, which connects the device to the camera interface so you can use it on the touchscreen.

Xiaomi’s MOS consists of a 100MP Light Fusion X Micro Four Thirds sensor, which is larger than a flagship camera phone’s sensor. The device supports a 35mm custom lens with a variable aperture up to f/11. The lens also has a manual focusing ring, which offers nice haptic feedback as you adjust the focus. As I used the lens, I realized it was the first time when I missed having a Camera Control-like hardware button to capture photos.

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Once the phone detects the attached lens, the camera UI displays a toggle. Tap on it, and the phone switches to show a live view from the added lens. The view is like a 2x crop on the phone and, unlike previous concepts, this one uses the phone’s camera processing for the final shot.

There was one more similar concept

In theory, you’re getting a camera lens’ variable aperture, a bigger sensor, and more on a compact phone with the Xiaomi concept. The technology is also easy to use. 

Realme showcased a similar concept at MWC 2025. The Realme Ultra doesn’t use a magnetic camera mounting system; instead, it mounts the external lens over the phone’s camera module.

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The Realme Ultra can attach any M-mount lens. However, the device is tedious and unwieldy to use with an attached lens. In that regard, having a proprietary camera lens for the Xiaomi phone is better — the tech is lighter and more portable.  

Modular fun is back, or is it?

Xiaomi is considering broader implementations of its MOS. These implementations could include more lenses at different focal lengths or other accessories, bringing the modular fun back to phones (RIP Moto Mods and LG G5). 

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

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By contrast, Xiaomi’s take on adding a camera lens with magnetic mounting is easy, quick, and involves less latency than the modular designs of the past. 

The technology is smart because the optical pins transfer data to the chipset in real time. As a result, the phone treats the lens as a native sensor to process the captured shot. The technology is cool and mobile photographers will love it. I hope the Xiaomi MOS launches for consumers soon.

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