Realme Ultra Concept Phone with Interchangeable Lenses & 1" Sony Sensor Showcased at MWC 2025

Realme has unveiled a groundbreaking concept smartphone, the Realme Ultra, at MWC 2025 in Barcelona, bringing a unique interchangeable-lens system to the smartphone market. This bold innovation integrates DSLR-like photography into a mobile device by allowing users to mount professional-grade lenses, redefining smartphone photography.

A Step Towards Professional Mobile Photography

For years, smartphone cameras have been marketed as replacements for DSLRs and mirrorless cameras, but limitations in sensor size and lens flexibility have restricted their potential. The Realme Ultra concept aims to bridge this gap by introducing a custom lens mount system, enabling users to swap lenses and achieve higher optical zoom and improved depth-of-field control.

At MWC 2025, Realme showcased two prototype interchangeable lenses:

73mm f/1.4 Portrait Lens – Provides 3x optical zoom, ideal for capturing detailed, natural-looking portraits.

234mm f/1.5 Telephoto Lens – Offers 10x optical zoom, allowing for sharp, long-range shots that surpass digital zoom limitations in smartphones.

The concept device also features a 1-inch customized Sony sensor, significantly enhancing low-light performance, dynamic range, and detail capture.

The Challenges of an Interchangeable-Lens Smartphone

While the Realme Ultra presents an exciting innovation, there are some trade-offs:

No Autofocus Support: Users must manually adjust focus, similar to professional cameras.

Stabilization Limitations: Unlike built-in smartphone cameras with advanced OIS (Optical Image Stabilization), these detachable lenses require steady hands or tripods for best results.

Size & Portability: Carrying additional lenses may reduce the convenience traditionally associated with smartphone photography.

Despite these challenges, this concept signals a major leap forward for photography enthusiasts and professionals looking for DSLR-like capabilities in a compact smartphone form factor.

Will the Realme Ultra Become a Reality?

Realme has not confirmed if or when the Ultra concept will move into mass production. The company emphasized that this innovation is part of its ongoing exploration of advanced imaging solutions, addressing key industry challenges like digital zoom limitations and sensor constraints.

While still in the prototype stage, the Realme Ultra concept highlights the brand’s commitment to pushing smartphone photography boundaries. If developed further, it could open new possibilities for hybrid professional and mobile photography in the coming years.