For as long as smartphones have been around, people have tried to merge their functions with cameras. There have been numerous attempts to create camera accessories for phones, such as clamps, magnets, and lenses. Some have even tried to create phones that double as cameras. However, none of these attempts have been successful enough to convince the masses that phones and cameras should be combined. It seems that people have accepted the idea that phones should look like phones and cameras should remain separate.
Personally, I had given up on the idea of a successful phone-camera hybrid until I heard about Xiaomi’s 13 Ultra and its camera accessory kit. Priced at an extra 999 yuan (around $137), the kit seemed like another gimmick at first. However, after using it, I must admit that it’s actually really good. It’s a shame that the camera and kit are not officially sold in the US, and it’s unlikely that they ever will be.
What sets this particular phone-camera combo apart from the rest is that it doesn’t make you look ridiculous while using it. The kit includes a phone case that looks normal and a shutter grip that can be easily attached and detached. The grip connects to the camera via Bluetooth and features a two-stage shutter. There’s also a wrist strap attachment, which I believe is one of the most underrated camera accessories.
Another feature of the kit is a screw-on lens cap and a 67mm filter adapter. I attached the grip, grabbed my camera, and headed to a popular tourist spot in Seattle. As I walked around with the Xiaomi 13 Ultra, I realized that having a camera-shaped object in my hand helped me see better photos. Just like a dedicated camera, it put me in a photography mindset faster.
Not only is the camera grip useful, but the 13 Ultra itself is a powerhouse. It boasts four rear-facing cameras, including a large one-inch-type sensor. It also has 5x and 3.2x telephoto lenses, an ultrawide lens, and a 2x crop zoom. The software, which is Leica-branded, is also impressive. I captured some of my favorite portraits of the year with this phone.
However, the 13 Ultra is not without its flaws. It struggles to capture moving subjects in low light, sometimes oversaturates colors, and doesn’t capture fine detail as well as a camera with a larger sensor. Additionally, some of the portrait mode settings produce excessive vignetting. Despite these issues, it is still one of my favorite mobile cameras of the year, and I wish it were available in the US.
Ultimately, you don’t need an expensive camera to take great photos, and you certainly don’t need a fancy camera grip for your phone. However, Xiaomi’s approach to combining the phone and camera functionalities is the smartest I’ve seen. It helped me get in the right mindset for taking better photos. If an accessory, whether it’s a magnet, clamp, grip, or something else, helps you enjoy taking photos with your phone, then that’s a good thing. And it’s even better if it doesn’t make you look ridiculous.
