Image credits: Screenshots in this article are from the original Tech Buff PH video. Click to enlarge. In a video that’s since been hidden, YouTuber Tech Buff PH shared a hands-on review of what appears to be a new Xiaomi device with one of the larger — and most unusual — camera arrays we’ve seen on a smartphone.
Xiaomi was one of the first manufacturers to release a smartphone with Qualcomm’s new Snapdragon 888 chipset inside in its Mi 11 device. At launch, the Mi 11 was only available in China. But earlier this week, Xiaomi announced availability in Europe as well. Now, a new hands-on video has shown off what looks to be an upgraded Mi 11 ‘Ultra’ device with a massive camera bump that includes three cameras and a built-in display.
The original 10-minute video was uploaded by Tech Buff PH, but has since been set to private, presumably due to being brought live before launch.
That's quite the camera bump.
According to XDA Developers, the device shown off in the video ‘seems convincing enough to be authentic. ’ The model identifier shown on the back of the device — M2102K1G — matches certification records of an unreleased device from Xiaomi and the ‘K1G’ in the model ID suggests this is the global variant of a device a known Xiaomi leaker has hinted at in the past.
Based on the hands-on video, the Mi 11 Ultra device features a 6. 8” quad-curve OLED display with WQHD+ resolution and a 120Hz screen with a variable refresh rate. Other features shown off in the video include a 20MP hole-punch selfie camera, a 5,000mAh battery, an IP68 rating, Harman/Kardon-branded speakers, Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 888 chipset and both wired and wireless charging at 67W, as well as 10W reverse wireless charging.
As for the cameras, well, the entire array almost looks as though you stuck an entire smaller phone on the back of the Mi 11 Ultra. The bump is as pronounced as any we’ve seen on a smartphone and it manages to pack plenty of shooting power inside, based on the specifications described by the reviewer. According to the video, the devices have 50MP main, 48MP wide-angle and 48MP periscope-style optical zoom camera modules. As you can see in the above images, the camera specification text on the two devices varies, but as XDA Developers points out, it’s possibly these are prototypes. The black model reads ‘120x, 12–120mm 1:1. 95–4. 1, AI Camera,’ while the white model reads 120x Ultra Pixel AI Camera. ’
The built-in display sits opposite of the camera array, with the LED flash sandwiched in-between.
No specifications are given for the smaller screen built into the camera array, but it’s clear from the video the display is capable of running effectively any app the main display is. That said, it’s most obvious purpose is to be used as a liveview screen for composing and capturing shots using the more powerful rear-facing cameras.
There’s no information on availability or pricing for this device, but considering there are units in the hands of reviewers, it’s unlikely we’ll have to wait long to find out.
. dpreview.com2021-2-13 00:01
