Xiaomi introduced a modular phone concept focusing on photography at MWC 2025. The innovative Modular Optical System uses a custom camera module and LaserLink communication technology for fast data transfer.

Smartphone manufacturers are battling it out for camera supremacy, but the key to it may end up being modularity. Sure, most people won't want to shell out for modular camera attachments on their phones,

Xiaomi’s new 15 Ultra is dominated by an enormous ring of cameras on the back, Nothing has rethought its camera layout from scratch to fit a periscope into the Phone 3A Pro, and consistent rumors suggest that even Apple is going to strap a big ol’ camera bar onto the back of its iPhone 17 Pro models later this year.