Im a photographer, and this Leica-style smartphone is the closest thing Ive seen to a classic compact with physical controls

Date:
Mon, 19 May 2025 11:12:09 +0000

Description:
The Nubia Z70S Ultra Retro Kit is designed to replace your compact camera,
and it has the looks to do just that.

FULL STORY ======================================================================The triple-lens Nubia Z70S Ultra features a 35mm main camera The optional Z70 Series Retro Kit effectively transforms the phone into a Leica-like compact camera The kit features a grip, physical controls, and lens filters

Camera kits for smartphones are becoming a thing. They're designed to transform your phone into a compact camera-like device that's easier to use for photography to see what I'm talking about, check out my long-term Xiaomi 15 Ultra review , in which I unpack Xiaomi's Photography Kit.

Now Nubia has created its own take on the concept, with its Z70 Series Retro Kit. The kit is compatible with Nubia's flagship Z70 Ultra and Z70S Ultra phones, and of all the camera kits I've seen for phones I think it looks the part, even if it's cashing in on the Leica aesthetic.

The new Z70S Ultra is already a retro-styled smartphone (see below, without the kit), with a silver-effect top and faux leather finish, available in Classic Black or Antique Brown. The Retro Kit takes things up a notch.

I haven't used the Retro Kit yet, but adding it should transform the phone's handling into something akin to some of the best compact cameras like the Ricoh GR III , with the looks of a D-Lux 8 . The retro-styled Nubia Z70S
Ultra phone, without the Retro Kit. (Image credit: Nubia) Looking the part

The Nubia Z70S Ultra features a triple-camera unit, with the main camera
being a slightly tighter-than-normal 35mm lens, which is complemented by a 2x telephoto lens and an ultra-wide macro optic.

The phone is powered by a Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, features a large 6.85-inch AMOLED display, and packs a hefty 6,600mAh battery. Those are solid specs;
but it's the phone's looks that set it apart.

As I mentioned, the Z70S Ultra version is already a retro-styled handset, but by adding the optional Retro Kit you get a compact camera-style control
layout too.

There's the leather-style case with grip that should make even one-handed holding comfortable for photography, plus a tactile physical shutter that I would expect to give a lovely response for picture taking (see below). Image
1 of 2 The physical shutter should provide tactile feedback, while the
control dial will likely put manual control at your fingertips. (Image
credit: Nubia) Image 2 of 2 Lens filters will come in the Retro Kit. (Image credit: Nubia)

Alongside the shutter button is a control dial that looks like it will offer various manual controls at your fingertips the equivalent dial in the Xiaomi 15 Ultra photography kit can be used for manual exposure compensation.

Finally, it looks like the case accepts lens filters over the camera unit. It's not clear what filters will be available, but further creative control options might be possible depending on what filters you can buy.

The idea with these kits is that they can be added for times when you're taking a lot of pictures and videos, and then removed when you're using the phone for other things.

The Nubia Z70 Series Retro Kit looks like it could be one of the best
examples yet I hope to get my hands on it for a proper test soon. You might also like I swapped my $3,000 camera for the Xiaomi 15 Ultra for a month here's what I learned Leica's new iPhone camera grip could have been great, but has 3 frustrating drawbacks The best camera phone 2025: we've tested all the top smartphones for photos and video



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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/cameras/im-a-photographer-and-this-leica-style-smart phone-is-the-closest-thing-ive-seen-to-a-classic-compact-with-physical-control s


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