Smartphone enthusiasts like me will never forget the time when modular phones were about to change everything. Whether it was Google’s canceled Project Ara or the more popular Moto Z series, nothing really panned out as well as the Fairphone, but even it isn’t as mainstream as some other brands.
So, most users just live with their non-modular smartphones on a day-to-day basis, having already grieved about the idea that once raised plenty of hopes. Well, about that, an upcoming foldable could change that conversation entirely.
What exactly is Xiaomi cooking?
I’m talking about the Xiaomi Mix Fold 5. Early leaks about it suggest that the company is developing a magnetic modular camera system, wherein users should be able to swap, adjust, or upgrade the magnetic camera modules by attaching a better one, or the one that the user wants (via Gizchina).
Essentially, the Mix Fold 5’s magnetic camera module would mimic the interchangeable lenses on professional cameras. If the interchangeable interface actually ships, it could be the most exciting camera hardware on a smartphone in years, or one of the most exciting after Xiaomi’s physical zoom ring on the Xiaomi 17 Ultra.
However, I have a rather hot take about it: shipping a modular camera system (with interchangeable lenses) with a foldable could either be a very smart idea, or a rather complicated idea that would keep the exciting tech from the hands of masses.
Smart idea or a complicated one?
Foldables already come with slightly toned-down camera systems compared to their brand’s conventional flagship (see the differences on the Fold 7 and S26 Ultra). A modular system that sidesteps that limitation entirely could be a clever solution to this problem. On the other hand, foldables don’t sell as much as regular smartphones, and the brand might not get as much attention as the tech deserves.
The silver lining here is that the Chinese smartphone manufacturer isn’t partnering with a third-party lens or camera equipment manufacturing company. The leaks focus on self-developed modular lenses throughout.
However, that is the extent of information we have about the purported smartphone. No confirmed specs, pricing, or launch date yet.