Xiaomi MIX 5 will transform the smartphone into a DSLR, with M4/3 magnetic lenses

Xiaomi’s era that left you speechless seemed to be over for a while, but then the new flagships have raised the bar again. The 17 Pro and Pro Max models, with their rear displays, reminded us of the experimental feats of the MIX series — a lineup that now seems forgotten.

On one hand there are foldables, but the regular MIX family hasn’t seen a new model since the fourth generation, dating back to the long-ago 2021. More than four years have passed since that debut, but it seems things could change this very year, with the much-talked-about Xiaomi MIX 5.

Xiaomi MIX 5 could revolutionize smartphone photography with interchangeable lenses

The hope of seeing a successor to the Xiaomi MIX 4 has never fully died: over the years a multitude of rumors have circulated, culminating last December with reports of a launch in 2026 and under-display 3D face unlock.

We don’t know if the Xiaomi MIX 5 will really include this security-related novelty, but in the meantime the rumors show no signs of slowing down.

The latest comes from Digital Chat Station: according to the Chinese insider the Xiaomi magnetic lenses system seen at MWC 2025 is currently in mass production and should wrap up at the beginning of the year. However, for the exact release window the leaker reports the term TBD, i.e., it is still to be decided.

For those who may have missed something, at last year’s Barcelona fair the Chinese company unveiled a working Concept Phone. The device in question is a modified Xiaomi 15 with an interchangeable-lens system: the flagship features a Qi2 magnetic ring that also allows attaching a M4/3 lens (Micro Four Thirds).

The sensor is a 100 MP unit with a 35 mm focal length and an aperture from f/1.4 to f/11. This is the system the leaker is referring to, but which will be the first phone to feature such a technology?

The most plausible hypothesis is that it is indeed the Xiaomi MIX 5: the series has always been fertile ground for experimentation; just take a look at the very first Mi MIX (a masterpiece).

At the moment, details on the next model are really skimpy: the device should adopt a large Micro Quad Curved panel of 6.8″ diagonal, with an under-display selfie camera and ultra-optimized bezels. Moreover, the launch would be expected in the first half of the year, but it’s wise to wait for more authoritative sources before taking these details for granted.