Upcoming Xiaomi Mi Mix smartphone gets liquid lens for macro and zoom photos

The upcoming Xiaomi Mi Mix phone will have a liquid-lens camera. A motor seems to press the liquid into the right shape, in order to get the desired focus and focal length. This would allow both macro and zoom photos to be taken with one camera.

Xiaomi shows the liquid lens on Weibo, but gives few technical details about it yet. For example, it is not known which sensor is used and how far the camera can zoom in with the lens. The Chinese smartphone manufacturer says it has developed the liquid lens itself and that users can focus quickly with the lens. The lens must also be able to be used in ‘extreme environments’, transmit a lot of light and scatter little light.

The liquid lens is used for the first time in a Mi Mix phone. Xiaomi previously showed smartphones in the Mi Mix line, such as the Mi Mix Alpha concept. This phone had a screen that spanned almost the entire exterior of the phone. The top and bottom had no screen, there was also a narrow strip for, for example, the cameras. It is not known whether the upcoming Mi Mix will be sold. Xiaomi will present the new phone on Monday, March 29.