2024-04-12 14:55:00
Leica Camera AG introduced the Leitz Phone 3 yesterday (April 11, 2024). The new smartphone is the third smartphone from the camera manufacturer, which has already cooperated with various smartphones in the past regarding camera technology. According to Leica, the Leitz Phone 3 is characterized by improved imaging and additional exceptional functions. It offers new Leitz looks and a “variable aperture”, which is common on cameras but is previously unusual on smartphones – but this only as a software simulation. For Leica fans, however, the idea is associated with a certain melancholy because it will be available exclusively in Japan. It was not communicated whether it would be available in European regions at a later date.
With the smartphone, Leica Camera AG is continuing its more than 100-year company history and wants to underline its pursuit of technical innovations at the highest level.
New iconic design
The Leica brand is inextricably linked to photography and quality. Over the last 100 years, it has created a unique connection between users and the camera. Based on this heritage, continuous improvements have been made to bring the Leitz Phone series closer to the Leica brand.
The housing of this new model embodies Leica’s passion for focusing on the essentials with unique functional beauty and feel, taking the iconic Leica cameras as a model. The back has an elegant polyacrylic structure that feels like you’re holding a high-quality Leica camera in your hands.
The device’s iconic design is also reflected in the user interface and user experience. The controls have been rearranged to make the overall layout clearer and even more user-friendly. This makes typical Leica functions such as the golden hour and the LFI widget even easier to find and use.
The Golden Hour Widget, developed exclusively for Leitz Phones, shows the golden hour before sunset and following sunrise. During this time the light is particularly warm and is suitable for spectacular photos. The LFI widget, which was also developed specifically for Leitz Phones, continuously shows images from the “Leica Photography International Gallery” – a curated platform worldwide.
Capture moments like a pro
The core of the camera miracle is the rear camera system, which has a wide-angle lens with an effective resolution of 47.2 Mpx and a 1-inch CMOS image sensor. With Octa PDAF for fast and precise focusing, impressive photos can be taken even in difficult conditions. The front camera has 12.6 Mpx and a large field of view (FOV) of 78°. With the 1:2.3 aperture, selfies and video calls are a success.
Shot with the Leica Perspective Control
With “Leica Perspective Control,” a software function that was previously only used in Leica cameras has made its way into smartphone photography for the first time. It corrects falling lines, especially in architectural photography. A gyroscope measures the angle at which the camera is held while recording. An algorithm then calculates the correction data. The corrected image is displayed as a white rectangle with the edges of the image.
Important for professionals: The corrections are only processed in the JPG file; the digital negative format (DNG) remains untouched. There is also a new watermark that gives images a professional touch by showing important camera parameters such as aperture, ISO, shutter speed, focal length and the LEITZ logo.
The new Leitz Looks and Leica Tones
New is a “variable aperture” for the Leitz Looks camera mode. Several aperture levels of the best-known Leica lenses Noctilux-M 1:1.2/50 mm as well as Summilux-M 1:1.4/28 mm and Summilux-M 1:1.4/35 mm are simulated. With this exclusive software feature you can regulate the bokeh effect of the photos by choosing from different aperture levels from F1.2 or 1.4 to F8. With a total of six or seven stops depending on the lens, this feature offers unique creative control over the photos taken.
In addition, a world of artistic possibilities in mobile photography can be discovered with bokeh, vignetting and spotlight rendering.
With the Leitz Phone 3, the image quality in the Leitz Looks camera mode has been significantly improved:
- Improved representation of spotlights in shape and color for realistic lighting effects.
- Refined object segmentation for precise and impressive compositions.
- Improved Leica color simulation data to capture the essence of legendary Leica color expertise.
The Leitz Phone 3 also introduces new Leica Tones with “Vivid” and “Enhanced” – what Leica calls their picture styles. Vivid produces more vibrant and dynamic colors, while Enhanced increases contrast and brightens shadows. These complement the three existing tones Monochrom, Cinema Classic and Cinema Contemporary, which were developed exclusively for the Leitz Phone.
Slim, stylish and protected case
The Leitz Phone 3 is characterized by a stylish design and its slim and compact housing. With a weight of 209 g, according to Leica, it represents the perfect balance between style and functionality.
Thanks to the IPX5/8 and IP6X rating, the device is both waterproof and dustproof, as befits smartphones today. This ensures that it can withstand various environmental conditions so that memories can be captured without restrictions.
Strong processor and high display resolution
The heart of the Leitz Phone 3 is the powerful “Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2” chipset. The high performance should enable efficient multitasking and optimal use.
The 5000 mAh battery capacity provides energy for a full day. The device also supports wireless charging.
The Leitz Phone 3 has a “Pro IGZO OLED” display with a high refresh rate of 240 Hz. The 6.6-inch display has a resolution of WUXGA+ (2730×1260) with a relative resolution of 480 ppi. It shows images with vivid colors and deep contrast. The maximum brightness is 2000 nits, making content clearly visible in all lighting conditions.
Thanks to 512 GB of “UFS 4.0” memory and storage expansion via microSDXC memory card including support for UHS-I and a capacity of up to 1 TB, the Leitz Phone 3 offers enough space for apps, photos and videos. A whopping 12 GB of LPDDR5X RAM ensures a smooth user experience.
Price and availability
The Leitz Phone 3 will be available exclusively in Japan from April 19, 2024. The price has not (yet) been communicated.
Leitz Phone 3 – Specifications
Name
Leitz Phone 3
Color
Leica black
Operating system (OS)
Android 14
Dimensions
Approx. 77 x 161 x 9.3mm (maximum thickness: 12.1㎜ including lens）
Weight
Ca. 209 g
Display
6.6-inch WUXGA+ (2,730 x 1,260 pixels) Pro IGZO OLED
Main camera
CMOS image sensor
Resolution: 47.2 effective megapixels
Aperture: F1.9
Focal length corresponding to KB: 19 mm
Distance sensor with effective pixel count of 1.9 megapixels/14-channel spectrum sensor
Front/Selfie-Camera
CMOS image sensor
Resolution: 2.6 megapixel effective pixel count
Blend: F2,3
Focal length: 27 mm (corresponding to 35mm format)
CPU
Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 Mobilplattform 3,18 GHz + 2,8 GHz + 2,0 GHz Octa-Core
Storage
ROM 512 GB / RAM 12 GB / microSDXC card (maximum 1 TB)
Battery capacity
5000 mAh
Connection
Headphone microphone (3.5 mm jack)/USB Type-C
WLAN/Wi-Fi
IEEE802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax
Bluetooth
Ver. 5.3
More features
Mobile Wallet/ NFC
Biometric authentication
Fingerprint sensor (Qualcomm 3D Sonic Max) / facial recognition (mask compatible)
Water and dust protection classes
IPX5・IPX8/IP6X
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