This Modular Phone Concept Is Xiaomi’s Plan to Kill the Camera Bump - WIRED

The camera bump on the back of today's smartphones has been a contentious point of design for many consumers. While some view it as a necessary trade-off for significantly improved photo and video capabilities, others see it as a cumbersome and unsightly protrusion that disrupts the otherwise sleek lines of their devices. Enter Xiaomi's ambitious new concept: the Modular Optical System. It's a detachable lens that aims to revolutionize smartphone design and functionality, while potentially signaling the end of the much-maligned camera bump.

The heart of Xiaomi's plan to eliminate the camera bump lies in their Modular Optical System, an innovative design that involves a detachable lens. This concept is a stark departure from the industry norm, where the camera components are integrated into the body of the smartphone, leading to the all-too-familiar camera bump. The bump has been a constant in smartphone design for years, as manufacturers strive to pack more advanced camera technology into increasingly slim devices. It's a compromise between form and function, and one that Xiaomi aims to resolve with their modular approach.

The Modular Optical System, as its name suggests, relies on modular components. The centerpiece of this system is the detachable lens, which can be removed when not in use, thus allowing for a sleek, bump-free design. This design not only enhances the aesthetics of the device but also provides users with the flexibility to customize their camera setup based on their specific needs. For example, a user could opt for a high-resolution lens for detailed photography, or a wide-angle lens for capturing landscapes.

But the modular approach is not without its challenges. The key to its success lies in ensuring that the detachable components are easy to use and secure. If they are too difficult to attach and detach, or if they risk falling off during use, the modular concept could prove inconvenient and unreliable. Xiaomi, therefore, has a tough task ahead in perfecting this design and ensuring that it is user-friendly and robust.

The Modular Optical System is essentially a detachable lens that can be connected to the phone whenever users want to capture photos or videos. Instead of having a fixed camera module, Xiaomi's concept phone proposes a system where the lens module can be attached or detached from the phone. For those concerned about the ease of use, Xiaomi claims that the process of attaching and detaching the lens module will be as simple as plugging in a USB.

One might wonder about the quality of images captured with a detachable lens, but Xiaomi assures that there will be no compromise on this front. The company has hinted at the use of high-quality lenses and sensors that will ensure the captured images are as good as, if not better than, those taken with a conventional smartphone camera.

Xiaomi’s modular concept also opens up possibilities for customization. Users could potentially swap out lenses based on their photography needs. For instance, one could switch to a wide-angle lens for landscape photography or a macro lens for close-up shots. This level of adaptability could be a game-changer in the smartphone photography landscape.

However, it's important to note that this is still a concept. While Xiaomi has made a strong case for the feasibility of the Modular Optical System, it's yet to be seen how these ideas will translate into a practical, market-ready product. Plus, there are still many questions left unanswered, like how the lens will be stored when not in use, or what measures will be taken to ensure the lens is not easily lost or damaged.

In order to understand how this innovative system works, it is essential to delve into the technology behind it. The Modular Optical System is based on the concept of modularity, where each component or module can operate independently yet can be combined with other components to create a holistic system.

According to Dr. Lena Zhai, a senior researcher at the University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, "The beauty of a modular system lies in its flexibility and scalability. Users can add or remove modules based on their needs. In the case of Xiaomi's smartphone, the camera module can be detached when not in use, thus eliminating the need for a camera bump."

At the core of this system is the detachable lens module, which can be smoothly detached from or attached to the phone. This is achieved through a series of miniaturized mechanical and electrical interfaces that allow the lens module to communicate with the phone's main system. The lens module houses the camera lens, image sensor, and other critical components necessary for capturing high-quality images.

Moreover, Xiaomi is also exploring the possibility of developing different types of lens modules, such as wide-angle, telephoto, and macro, giving users a range of options to cater to their photography needs.

The Modular Optical System proposed by Xiaomi is a clever and innovative approach to address the long-standing issue of protruding camera bumps in smartphones. It not only promises to deliver high-quality imaging but also gives users the flexibility to customize their phone's camera capabilities according to their needs.

While it's still in its conceptual stage, it's a clear signal that smartphone manufacturers are continually exploring new ways to enhance user experience and improve device aesthetics. Whether or not this concept will become a reality is something only time will tell. However, it's undeniable that such innovative ideas are pushing the boundaries of smartphone design and functionality.

Source: https://www.wired.com/story/xiaomi-modular-optical-system-mwc-2025/