Magnets make anything cooler, which is why Xiaomi’s Modular Optical System caught our eye at Mobile World Congress 2025. This is essentially a camera lens that snaps onto the back of a custom Xiaomi 15.

If you hate the big camera bump of today’s smartphones, you’ll love the detachable lens of Xiaomi’s Modular Optical System.

This is typically where HONOR, Huawei, Xiaomi and others will hold global launches of their already announced phones from China. And we’re expecting more of that this year. So, here’s what you can expect from Mobile World Congress 2025 from Barcelona ...

On the hardware front, the world’s largest phone show will feature launches from Nothing, Xiaomi, Honor, and more. Here's what else is on tap in Barcelona next week.

The Xiaomi 15 Ultra may be the company's latest smartphone, but it has a superpower that can transform it into a flagship-level handheld camera.

Samsung and Lenovo had the most interesting folding concept devices to show off at the annual trade show in Barcelona.

Xiaomi’s not the only company toying with this idea. This week rival Chinese phone maker Realme introduced a concept phone with a 1 inch image sensor that isn’t designed to work with a built-in lens. Instead you can attach any camera lens that uses the Leica M Mount system to the back of the phone.

Mobile World Congress kicks off in just a few days, but some of the biggest phone makers have already hinted at what's to come in Barcelona.

Xiaomi started up in 2010 selling low-to-mid price smartphones at very cut-throat prices. Since then it has expanded overseas, placing a big emphasis on its European foothold. Xiaomi has also built a portfolio of connected devices from TVs to smartwatches.

On paper, the Xiaomi 15 Ultra offers a lot of great specs. Powerful Leica-tuned cameras, including an absurd 200MP telephoto lens, a large battery, and all the performance of the new Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset. However, like all Xiaomi phones, there’s a big emphasis on the own-brand software, rather than a cleaner variation of Android.

Xiaomi has made global headlines with its impressive SU7 and YU7 EVs. Up until now, however, the technology giant has only been selling its cars in China but the company president has confirmed they are working to sell their cars internationally.