Leica has put its name to a few smartphone lenses over the past few years, but now the legendary camera maker has jumped in the deep end, launching its own branded smartphone into the Japanese market.
Dubbed the Leitz Phone 1, the very first Leica phone makes its intentions clear with the signature red dot logo, as found on all Leica cameras. As it’s based on the latest Sharp Aquos R6, the Leitz Phone 1 has the same 6.6-inch 120 Hz IGZO OLED display, Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 5G processor, and 256 GB of storage supported by a Micro SDXC memory card. The most distinguishing feature on the smartphone of course is the 19 mm wide-angle f/1.9 Summicron lens, which is paired with a huge 1-inch 20.2 megapiexel image sensor.
You can also find other exclusive Leica elements on the Leitz Phone 1, such as the “Leitz Looks” photo mode offering Leica-level monochrome photography, and the LFI Gallery widget on the home screen displaying selected photos from Leica users for inspiration. The accessories of the phone are equally attractive, with a black soft protection case once that again has the iconic red dot logo at the corner, and the sliver lens cap just further adds to the Leica branding.
The Leica Leitz Phone 1 is available for pre-order on telecom network Softbank’s website for 187,920 yen and will be shipped after July this year. There’s no current word on whether this stunning phone will be launched globally, though.
