Leica Phone Review: A Photographer’s Honest Take on the Xiaomi x Leica Collaboration

Taking a photo with the Leitz Xiaomi phone

The new Leica phone is finally here—and yes, it’s a collaboration between Leica and Xiaomi. On paper, it looks like a dream for photographers: a large 1-inch sensor, Leica color science, and even a physical lens cap.

But does it actually deliver? And more importantly—can it replace a real camera?

Let’s break it down.

Straight out of camera forest - Leica Leitz Xiaomi phone

A Smartphone That Feels Like a Camera

The first thing that stands out is the design. This isn’t just another smartphone—it’s clearly built with photographers in mind.

You get:

• A real lens cap (yes, seriously)

• A tactile Leica ring for manual control

• A premium build with subtle Leica details

It genuinely feels closer to a compact camera than a typical phone.

The side of the Leitz phone "Leica Camera Germany"

Camera Setup: Strong on Paper

This Leica phone comes with three cameras:

Main Camera

• 50 MP

• 1-inch sensor

• 23mm equivalent

• f/1.6 with OIS

  
  

This is where the magic happens. A 1-inch sensor in a smartphone is a big deal and delivers impressive image quality.

Telephoto Camera

• 200 MP (multi-shot processing)

• 75–100mm equivalent

• f/2.3–f/2.9 with OIS

  
  

The high resolution comes from computational processing (similar to multi-shot modes on Leica cameras). Results are solid—but not always natural at extreme zoom levels.

Ultra-Wide Camera

• 50 MP

• 14mm equivalent

• f/2.2 (no OIS)

  
  

Smaller sensor, but still usable. As expected, this is the weakest of the three.

Straight out of camera - Leica Leitz Xiaomi phone

Leica Features That Actually Matter

This is where things get interesting.

Leica Looks & Filters

You get:

• Leica Authentic and Leica Vibrant profiles

• Around 30 Leica filters (including those from the Leica ecosystem)

  
  

The black & white high contrast mode stands out—it’s one of the most compelling looks on this phone.

Leica Ring Control

The physical ring lets you adjust:

• Exposure compensation

• Focal length

• Focus

• Filters

  
  

And it gives haptic feedback, which makes the experience surprisingly enjoyable.

The Leica ring on the back of the Leica Leitz Xiaomi phone

Pro Mode & RAW Shooting

For photographers, this is essential.

• Full manual control (exposure triangle)

• RAW shooting (DNG)

• Note: RAW is limited to 12.5 MP, while JPEG goes up to 50 MP

  
  

It’s a compromise—but still very usable.

The Leica M9 Mode: A Hidden Gem

One of the most interesting features is the Leica M9-inspired mode.

If you know the M9, you know:

• CCD sensor look

• Unique colors (especially reds, greens, blues)

This mode recreates that feel surprisingly well—without the drawbacks like sensor corrosion.

Honestly, this alone could be a reason to use this phone.

Straight out of camera - Leica Leitz Xiaomi phone (M9 simulation)

The Role of AI (and Why You Might Want It Off)

The phone offers up to 120x digital zoom, heavily relying on AI.

• Up to ~8.6x: acceptable

• Beyond that: quality drops fast

  
  

AI can:

• Smooth details

• Invent information

If you care about photographic integrity, you’ll probably want to disable it—which thankfully is possible.

Content Authenticity Initiative (A Big Plus)

The phone includes Content Authenticity Initiative (CAI) support.

This allows you to:

• Verify if an image was altered

• Track edits and authenticity

For journalists or professionals, this is a very strong feature—and still rare in smartphones.

Straight out of camera - Leica Leitz Xiaomi phone

Accessories & Experience

Leica didn’t cut corners here. Inside the box:

• Protective case with Leica ring

• Lens cap

• Strap (very useful in real life)

• Pre-installed screen protector

• Microfiber cloth

  
  

Small details—but they add up to a premium experience.

Straight out of camera - Leica Leitz Xiaomi phone

The Downsides

No product is perfect—and this one has a few important drawbacks.

No microSD Card Slot

You’re limited to internal storage (1TB). That’s plenty—but not flexible.

File Transfer Issues (Mac Users Beware)

Transferring files to Mac requires third-party apps like MacDroid.Not ideal for a device focused on photography.

No External Shutter Grip

Unlike previous Xiaomi Ultra models, there’s no included camera grip.That’s a missed opportunity—it would improve usability significantly.

Artificial Aperture Effects

You can simulate lenses like Noctilux (f/0.95), but:

• It’s purely digital

• Lacks true optical rendering

• No real depth transition or “3D pop”

This is where smartphones still fall short compared to real lenses.

Straight out of camera - Leica Leitz Xiaomi phone

So… Can It Replace a Leica Camera?

Short answer: No.

And it’s not even close.

You won’t get:

• True optical rendering

• Real depth transitions

• The tactile shooting experience

But that’s not really the point.

Final Verdict

This Leica phone is not a replacement for a camera—it’s a very capable camera you always have in your pocket.

And that matters.

If you:

• Like Android

• Want better image quality than a typical phone

• Appreciate Leica colors and ergonomics

Then this is a very compelling option.

For everything else? Your dedicated camera still wins.

The Real Question

The best camera is the one you have with you.

And this one? Might be one of the most interesting options available today.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kCFMsmP8mF8

Leica Ring Control