Tag: Leica camera

  • Xiaomi 13 Pro

    Xiaomi launched the 13 Pro in India in February 2023 at Rs 79,999 for 12 GB/256 GB, its first Leica co-engineered phone in the country. It signalled Xiaomi's push back into the premium segment after years of focusing on Redmi, with a ceramic back, Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 and a camera aimed squarely at the Galaxy S23 Ultra and iPhone 14 Pro.

    The 6.73-inch curved AMOLED with LTPO and 1440 x 3200 resolution is sharp, bright and smooth at up to 120Hz. The ceramic back feels premium but makes the phone heavy at 229 g and slippery. Performance from Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 is excellent, and MIUI 14 on Android 13 offered lots of customisation, though it came with some preinstalled apps.

    The camera system centres on a 50 MP 1-inch-type IMX989 sensor, joined by a 50 MP ultrawide and a 50 MP 3.2x floating telephoto that doubles as a close-focus macro. Leica Authentic and Vibrant looks give images a distinctive character. The 4820 mAh battery charges at 120W wired and 50W wireless, both far faster than Samsung and Apple. Long-term software support was a weaker point.

    Key specifications

    Launch price (India)Rs 79,999 (base variant)
    India launchFebruary 2023
    SegmentFlagship
    Display6.73-inch, AMOLED, LTPO, curved, 120Hz, 1440 x 3200
    ProcessorSnapdragon 8 Gen 2
    RAM12 GB
    Storage256 GB
    Expandable storageNo
    Rear cameras50 MP 1-inch main + 50 MP ultrawide + 50 MP 3.2x telephoto
    Front camera32 MP
    Battery4820 mAh
    Charging120W wired, wireless
    Software at launchAndroid 13, MIUI 14
    5GYes
    Water/dust ratingIP68
    Headphone jackNo
    Weight229 g
    ColoursCeramic White, Ceramic Black

    What we like

    • 1-inch main sensor with Leica tuning
    • Very fast 120W wired and 50W wireless charging
    • Sharp QHD+ LTPO display
    • Premium ceramic build

    What could be better

    • Heavy and slippery
    • Bloatware in MIUI
    • Shorter software support than Samsung or Apple

    Who should buy it

    Photography enthusiasts who want a large-sensor Leica camera and very fast charging.

    Specifications and price are as at the India launch (February 2023). Prices change after launch – check current prices before buying.

  • Xiaomi 14

    Xiaomi launched the Xiaomi 14 in India in March 2024 at Rs 69,999 for 12 GB/512 GB, with no lower storage option. It is one of the few compact Android flagships with three capable cameras, competing directly against the Galaxy S24 and iPhone 15 while offering more storage and faster charging for less money.

    The 6.36-inch flat LTPO OLED at 1200 x 2670 is bright and smooth at 120Hz, with slim, even bezels. The flat aluminium frame and glass back make it comfortable for one-handed use. Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 delivers top-tier performance, and it was among the first phones in India to run HyperOS, Xiaomi's successor to MIUI, on Android 14.

    All three rear cameras are 50 MP: a Leica Summilux main with a Light Fusion 900 sensor, an ultrawide and a 3.2x telephoto. Photos are sharp with natural or vibrant Leica looks, and the telephoto handles portraits well. The 4610 mAh battery lasts a full day, with 90W wired and 50W wireless charging. Xiaomi promised four Android upgrades, fewer than Samsung's seven.

    Key specifications

    Launch price (India)Rs 69,999 (base variant)
    India launchMarch 2024
    SegmentFlagship
    Display6.36-inch, OLED, LTPO, 120Hz, 1200 x 2670
    ProcessorSnapdragon 8 Gen 3
    RAM12 GB
    Storage512 GB
    Expandable storageNo
    Rear cameras50 MP main + 50 MP ultrawide + 50 MP 3.2x telephoto
    Front camera32 MP
    Battery4610 mAh
    Charging90W wired, wireless
    Software at launchAndroid 14, HyperOS
    5GYes
    Water/dust ratingIP68
    Headphone jackNo
    ColoursMatte Black, White, Jade Green

    What we like

    • Compact size with a real telephoto
    • 512 GB storage as standard
    • 90W wired and 50W wireless charging
    • Snapdragon 8 Gen 3

    What could be better

    • Shorter update promise than Samsung
    • Some preinstalled apps
    • Battery only average for heavy users

    Who should buy it

    Buyers who want a compact Android flagship with strong Leica cameras and fast charging.

    Specifications and price are as at the India launch (March 2024). Prices change after launch – check current prices before buying.

  • Xiaomi 14 Ultra

    Xiaomi launched the 14 Ultra in India in March 2024 at Rs 99,999 for 16 GB/512 GB, the first time an Ultra model was officially sold in the country. Its design looks like a compact camera, with a large circular module and vegan leather back, and an optional Photography Kit grip added a shutter button and extra battery.

    The 6.73-inch LTPO AMOLED at 1440 x 3200 is very bright and sharp, with a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate. Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 delivers excellent performance and the cooling handles extended camera and gaming use. It shipped with HyperOS on Android 14. The phone is big and heavy, and the camera bump makes it rock on a table.

    Four 50 MP cameras define it: a 1-inch-type LYT-900 main sensor with stepless variable aperture from f/1.63 to f/4.0, an ultrawide, a 3.2x floating telephoto and a 5x periscope. Results rival the Galaxy S24 Ultra and Vivo X100 Pro, especially in portraits and low light. The 5000 mAh battery supports 90W wired and 80W wireless charging, both well ahead of Samsung and Apple.

    Key specifications

    Launch price (India)Rs 99,999 (base variant)
    India launchMarch 2024
    SegmentFlagship
    Display6.73-inch, AMOLED, LTPO, 120Hz, 1440 x 3200
    ProcessorSnapdragon 8 Gen 3
    RAM16 GB
    Storage512 GB
    Expandable storageNo
    Rear cameras50 MP 1-inch main + 50 MP ultrawide + 50 MP 3.2x telephoto + 50 MP 5x periscope
    Front camera32 MP
    Battery5000 mAh
    Charging90W wired, wireless
    Software at launchAndroid 14, HyperOS
    5GYes
    Water/dust ratingIP68
    Headphone jackNo

    What we like

    • Outstanding camera system with variable aperture
    • Two telephoto lenses
    • Fast wired and wireless charging
    • Bright QHD+ display

    What could be better

    • Large, heavy and top-heavy camera bump
    • Expensive
    • Photography Kit sold separately

    Who should buy it

    Mobile photographers who want a camera-like phone with the most versatile lenses.

    Specifications and price are as at the India launch (March 2024). Prices change after launch – check current prices before buying.

  • Xiaomi 14 Civi

    Xiaomi brought the Civi line to India in June 2024 with the Xiaomi 14 Civi, priced at Rs 42,999 for 8 GB/256 GB. It is a rebranded Civi 4 Pro from China, aimed at style-conscious buyers who want flagship-like cameras and design without paying flagship prices. It competed with the OnePlus 12R, Nothing Phone (2) and Galaxy S23 FE.

    The 6.55-inch curved AMOLED runs at 120Hz with 1236 x 2750 resolution and high peak brightness. The slim body comes in finishes including vegan leather and a metallic texture, making it one of the slimmer phones of its class. Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 offers near-flagship performance, comfortably handling games at high settings, with HyperOS running on Android 14.

    The rear cameras are a 50 MP Leica main with OIS, a 12 MP ultrawide and a 50 MP 2x telephoto, producing pleasing portraits. Up front are dual 32 MP cameras, one wide and one standard, a rarity for group selfies. The 4700 mAh battery gets through a day, and 67W charging refills it quickly, though there is no wireless charging or high IP rating.

    Key specifications

    Launch price (India)Rs 42,999 (base variant)
    India launchJune 2024
    SegmentUpper mid-range
    Display6.55-inch, AMOLED, curved, 120Hz, 1236 x 2750
    ProcessorSnapdragon 8s Gen 3
    RAM8 GB / 12 GB
    Storage256 GB / 512 GB
    Expandable storageNo
    Rear cameras50 MP main (OIS) + 12 MP ultrawide + 50 MP 2x telephoto
    Front camera32 MP + 32 MP ultrawide
    Battery4700 mAh
    Charging67W wired
    Software at launchAndroid 14, HyperOS
    5GYes
    Headphone jackNo
    ColoursMatcha Green, Cruise Blue, Shadow Black

    What we like

    • Slim, stylish design
    • Leica cameras with a 2x telephoto
    • Dual selfie cameras
    • Near-flagship performance

    What could be better

    • No wireless charging
    • No strong water resistance rating
    • Curved screen not for everyone

    Who should buy it

    Selfie lovers and style-focused buyers who want Leica cameras and strong performance under Rs 45,000.

    Specifications and price are as at the India launch (June 2024). Prices change after launch – check current prices before buying.

  • Xiaomi 15

    Xiaomi launched the Xiaomi 15 in India in March 2025 at Rs 64,999 for 12 GB/512 GB, cheaper than its predecessor's launch price. It keeps the compact 6.36-inch format and introduces Snapdragon 8 Elite, putting it against the Galaxy S25 and iPhone 16 while offering more storage and faster charging.

    The flat LTPO OLED at 1200 x 2670 is bright and smooth at 120Hz with very slim bezels. The aluminium frame and glass back feel premium and the phone is easy to use one-handed. Snapdragon 8 Elite delivers top performance with better efficiency than the previous generation. It shipped with HyperOS 2 based on Android 15, with features like AI writing tools and Google Gemini.

    Cameras include a 50 MP Leica main with Light Fusion 900 sensor, a 50 MP ultrawide and a 60 MP 2.6x telephoto with good close-focus ability. The Indian variant has a 5240 mAh battery, large for a compact phone, with 90W wired and 50W wireless charging. Its main competitor in size and price was the Galaxy S25, which offered longer software support.

    Key specifications

    Launch price (India)Rs 64,999 (base variant)
    India launchMarch 2025
    SegmentFlagship
    Display6.36-inch, OLED, LTPO, 120Hz, 1200 x 2670
    ProcessorSnapdragon 8 Elite
    RAM12 GB
    Storage512 GB
    Expandable storageNo
    Rear cameras50 MP main + 50 MP ultrawide + 60 MP 2.6x telephoto
    Front camera32 MP
    Battery5240 mAh
    Charging90W wired, wireless
    Software at launchAndroid 15, HyperOS 2
    5GYes
    Water/dust ratingIP68
    Headphone jackNo
    ColoursBlack, White, Green

    What we like

    • Compact with a big battery
    • Snapdragon 8 Elite
    • Three capable Leica cameras
    • Fast wired and wireless charging

    What could be better

    • Shorter update promise than Samsung
    • Only one storage variant
    • Preinstalled apps in HyperOS

    Who should buy it

    Buyers who want a small, fast Android flagship with excellent cameras and battery life.

    Specifications and price are as at the India launch (March 2025). Prices change after launch – check current prices before buying.