For us regular folk, smartphone cameras are all the camera we need. It’s a world away from the old days when professional photographers had to invest thousands in a DSLR with a range of decent lenses to get the quality they needed. Now even budget smartphones sport cameras that are entirely capable of taking brilliant everyday photographs.

As a result, the market for dedicated digital cameras has plummeted by over 95 per cent in the past five years. Smartphones have virtually wiped out compact cameras. Mirrorless cameras survive because they offer better quality images without the amazing cost of a DSLR.

And even mirrorless cameras could be under threat if some interesting concept phones from the recent Mobile World Congress in Barcelona become real products with the potential to make smartphones capable of producing top quality professional images.

The big problem with the cameras and smartphones is lack of space. The lenses must be small and the sensors absolutely tiny to fit in the smartphone’s body.

To bridge the gap between smartphones and professional cameras, a new concept has emerged: smartphones with separate lens and sensor assemblies, which allow users to convert their phones into true compact cameras. This hybrid approach combines the best of both worlds—the connectivity and convenience of a smartphone with the optical and sensor advantages of dedicated cameras.

Over the past 10 years, there have been several attempts to implement this hybrid approach.

Sony’s QX10 and QX100 models were essentially standalone cameras with sensors and lenses that connected to smartphones via Wi-Fi or NFC. While promising, their bulkiness and laggy wireless connection limited their success.

The DxO One was a brave attempt at bridging the gap between smartphones and professional cameras by using a compact camera module with a 1-inch sensor that connected via the smartphone’s charging port. Despite excellent image quality, its limited compatibility and awkward handling prevented widespread adoption.

Motorola’s modular approach allowed for attachable accessories, including the Hasselblad True Zoom lens. However, it was still reliant on the smartphone’s internal image processing, reducing its effectiveness.

To make such a system viable today, manufacturers would need to address critical design challenges.

First is a reliable docking mechanism for the sensor-lens combo, similar to how Apple’s MagSafe system works. When attached, the phone would switch from its built-in camera to the external module.

The next problem is transferring huge image files between the lens and the phone. A wireless module containing a large sensor and interchangeable lenses could transmit image

data via ultra-low-latency 5G or Wi-Fi 6E. This would allow the smartphone to act as a live viewfinder while handling image processing.

If solutions to these problems are developed, a modular approach would allow for pocketable phones to be transformed by camera modules into powerful professional cameras. This would have the added benefit of enabling users to upgrade only their camera modules instead of replacing their entire phone, extending device lifespans and reducing electronic waste.

Different users require different camera capabilities. A modular system would allow consumers to pick the best lens and sensor combo for their needs—wide-angle for vloggers, macro for nature photographers, or telephoto for sports.

The most exciting camera system announced at MWC is the ‘modular optical system’ from Xiaomi, essentially a camera lens and large sensor that attaches to the phone, transforming it into a professional quality imaging setup that still uses your phone as the brain, to take advantage of instant editing and social sharing.

The system combines a modified Xiaomi 15 smartphone with a detachable Xiaomi 35mm f/1.4 lens, which packs a 100-megapixel Light Fusion X Type 4/3 sensor—a far bigger and optically superior lens than in any phone. There’s even a physical focus ring.

The module attaches magnetically to the back of the phone, seamlessly draws power, and sends data at speeds of up to 10 Gbps. It’s a plug-and-play design that works in the phone’s regular camera app.

Realme’s camera phone concept launched at MWC features a large camera module and a series of different lens attachments can then be slotted into place on top of it to create something that truly rivals a DSLR. The proprietary attachment on this Realme phone enables you to use a full-frame mirrorless lens, so you could potentially attach actual DSLR lenses you already have, rather than buying new.

Both of these systems are concepts, and no plans for commercial release have been published. However, they are so polished that some sort of commercial launch is entirely possible. I can’t wait, although the concepts face several technical and market challenges:

The first is cost. High-quality sensors and lenses increase manufacturing costs, making it difficult to maintain competitive smartphone pricing.

The next is bulk. Even with modular systems, external attachments add bulk, making the phone less pocket-friendly.

On the software front, latency is a big challenge. For wireless systems, data transfer speed must be near-instantaneous to avoid lag in live preview and shutter response.

Battery life is another problem. Larger sensors and lenses consume more power, requiring larger batteries or external power sources.

Several factors could influence the adoption of separate lens and sensor systems in future smartphones.

AI and Computational Photography could further enhance images taken from separate camera modules, ensuring seamless integration with smartphones, but will also further improve the images taken by ordinary smartphones.

Companies like Leica, Zeiss, and Hasselblad are collaborating with phone makers to develop professional-grade camera modules, adding not just professional expertise but also appeal for professional photographers.

Smartphones with separate lens and sensor assemblies could revolutionize mobile photography, combining true optical capabilities with smartphone convenience. If executed well, such systems could cater to both casual users wanting high-quality photos and professionals looking for a portable yet powerful camera. The question is no longer if this will happen, but rather when—and who will lead the charge.

Words: Chris Partridge