This premium Leitzphone now debuting internationally brings Leica design language, imaging expertise and photographic philosophy into the realm of mobile photography.

Leica has been enabling the creation of meaningful images for more than a century – guided by precision, clarity and a deep respect for the photographic moment. As photography has evolved, Leica has continuously explored new ways to bring its expertise into emerging fields. Mobile imaging has long been part of this journey, understood not as a departure from classic photography, but as an opportunity to complement and extend it.

Leica technology is used in modern Xiaomi smartphone models, but the previous Leica branded phone, Leitz Phone, has been a different story, as the Leitz Phone 1, 2 and 3 were based on Sharp Aquos models and only available in Japan. Now, for its first international model Leitz opted for Xiaomi, with whom the company has a partnership.

With the new Leitzphone, Leica translates its commitment to photography into a device designed for everyday use. It reflects a belief that photography today happens across contexts – sometimes with a camera, sometimes in the immediacy of a mobile moment – and that each situation deserves the same dedication to image quality, intent and authenticity.

“The Leica Leitzphone demonstrates our vision for the future of photography”, says Matthias Harsch, CEO of Leica Camera AG. “It brings our design principles, our expertise in image processing and our photographic ethos into everyday life. We remain committed to the passion for photography that has set Leica apart for generations.”

Designed by Leica, the Leitzphone follows the principle of reduction to the essential. The combination of a black fibreglass rear panel with a precisely knurled metal frame results in a restrained and tactile design that is unmistakably Leica. The iconic red dot signifies this authorship as well as Leica’s responsibility for the overall design experience.

The mechanical camera ring is a defining element, which allows you to physically interact with the device much like you would with a camera. The customisable ring allows continuous control over zoom, exposure value, ISO and shutter speed. It can also be used to select focal length and switch between Leica Looks – encouraging a deliberate and intuitive approach to photography.

At the core of the Leitzphone is an advanced triple-camera system, developed to meet Leica standards for optical performance and image quality. Based on the Vario-APO-Summilux 14–100mm f/1.67–2.9 ASPH. lens, the system combines versatility with optical precision across focal lengths. This is especially valuable for telephoto shots with high-contrast edges – such as cityscapes or intimate portraits – where it helps keep chromatic aberrations under control.

The main camera features a 1-inch sensor with LOFIC (Lateral Overflow Integration Capacitor) technology, which significantly expands dynamic range by storing excess charge directly at the pixel level. The periscope telephoto camera uses a large 200-megapixel sensor within a compact optical structure inspired by classic zoom lens designs, enabling optical zoom from 75 to 100mm, autofocus and optical image stabilisation.

Leica developed the system design and camera user interface of the Leitzphone, including the home screen, camera application and widgets. The camera app integrates thirteen Leica Looks, five Leica bokeh simulations and photo-centric widgets – reflecting Leica’s UI philosophy of clarity, restraint and focus on the image.

A dedicated Leica Essential Mode further emphasises this approach. It includes special modes that digitally reinterpret classic Leica aesthetics, such as a Leica M9-inspired colour profile and a monochrome profile inspired by Leica Monopan film, recreating their characteristic tonal qualities within a contemporary imaging pipeline.

Leica has contributed its optical expertise, colour science and imaging philosophy, while Xiaomi has provided a powerful mobile platform that enables high-performance processing and efficient workflows. The result is a photographic experience defined by tonal depth, natural colour reproduction and visual coherence.

In keeping with Leica’s commitment to photographic integrity, the Leitzphone supports the Content Authenticity Initiative (CAI). A dedicated security chip adds cryptographically secured metadata to original images, providing proof of origin and copyright protection in accordance with C2PA standards, while also supporting transparency and trust in digital photography.

The Leica Leitzphone powered by Xiaomi is available in designated markets via the official Leica website, Leica Stores and through select partner channels.

Alongside the MWC announcement, Leica Camera AG and Xiaomi are introducing the new Xiaomi 17 series. The two models, the Xiaomi 17 and the Xiaomi 17 Ultra, continue the technology partnership and co-engineered series that has been in place since 2022. In doing so, they are advancing the shared vision of mobile photography combined with Leica’s signature style by transferring it to two further generations of devices. The focus here is on Leica optics, precise image tuning and image aesthetics characterised by clear detail and natural tones.