Consumers should expect to see heightened photo quality on Xiaomi smartphones come July, as the Chinese brand has announced a “long-term strategic cooperation” with the German camera manufacturer, Leica.

The partnership will be led with an inaugural smartphone, which is set to launch in July. Reports suggest the device might be a Xiaomi 12 Ultra model or potentially a new Xiaomi 13 series. However, has made no hints about hardware or its own devices branding so far.

Each company has put out their respective statements discussing the implications of the partnership. Cameras and camera quality continue to be an ever important feature on smartphones.

“Xiaomi and Leica agree with each other’s pursuits and ideas and appreciate each other’s advantages and industry. This cooperation will provide a strong boost to Xiaomi’s imaging strategy,” Xiaomi Group founder, chairman and CEO Lei Jun said in a statement.

Leica is a 100-year-old camera brand, which has also worked with other smartphone makers, including Huawei, Sharp, and Panasonic. 

“We will provide consumers in the field of mobile photography exceptional image quality, classic Leica aesthetics, unrestricted creativity, and will open a new era of mobile imaging,” Leica Camera AG CEO, Matthias Harsch said in a statement.

Several device markers have taken to collaborating with distinct camera makers in recent years as a means of standing out in the market. Most recently, the brand OnePlus partnered with camera maker Hasselblad in 2021. That collaboration has since expanded to the brand Oppo since the two device makers merged under the same company umbrella later in the year.

Rumors speculate whether the upcoming Xiaomi smartphone might feature the recently announced Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chip. Otherwise, not much is known about the device.