Xiaomi 16: The long-standing collaboration between Xiaomi and Leica Camera may soon be ending, according to a social media source. The German camera and lens manufacturer and the China-based OEM have been working together since 2022 to create mobile image solutions for Xiaomi smartphones, such as the Xiaomi 15 series. To cut down on licensing fees and focus on its proprietary camera technology, this is reportedly going to be phased out soon, starting with the Xiaomi 16 series.

Leica and Xiaomi’s Partnership Is Ending

In a series of posts on the Chinese microblogging site Weibo, Tipster Digital Chat Station (translated from Chinese) provided information on this development. As per reports, Xiaomi will concentrate on developing its own camera technology for future models that employ the chipset that will replace the as-yet-unannounced Snapdragon 8 Elite 2.

As to the source, this year will see the launch of the China-based OEM’s exclusive imaging brand. Xiaomi plans to reduce license payments for the Leica logo with this decision. The prices are said to range from $3 (about Rs. 257) to $5 (around Rs. 428) per smartphone.

The Xiaomi 16 series, which is expected to have four models—the Xiaomi 16, Xiaomi 16 Pro, Xiaomi 16 Ultra, and Xiaomi 16 Ultra Max—will be impacted by this change, according to Digital Chat Station. Also, it might impact devices from Redmi and Poco, two additional brands owned by this company.

Also, the Redmi K90 Pro and Poco F8 Ultra might feature Xiaomi’s proprietary camera technology instead of Leica-branded imaging systems. According to the informant, Redmi specifically stands to gain more. Better sensor technology and computational photography may be included, and the upcoming smartphones will be hailed as “amazing.”

For the first time since 2022, top Xiaomi devices will not bear the Leica logo if this plan is successful. The first phone to use the German company’s image technology was the Xiaomi 12S Ultra. In the meantime, Leica-branded camera systems were also available in the Xiaomi 15 series from the previous year.

Xiaomi will not be the first company to do this, though. The long-standing partnership between Huawei and Leica, which started in 2016, ends in 2022. This was done in order to prioritize its own imaging technology, now known as XMAGE, and in response to trade expenses.