The number of cameras on smartphones continues to grow. While a three camera set-up is common at this year's Mobile World Congress trade show in Barcelona that kicked off today, the Nokia 9 PureView debuted with five cameras as presented in the video below. The camera's multi-camera technology  allows a smartphone to capture detail like never before while allowing a user to not only use Bokeh, but completely change the focus on anything they want to in the photo.

The technology that Nokia is tapping into is from a company simply called "Light." Xiaomi is the next company that wants to use next-gen multi-camera technology in their future smartphones and today the announcement was made formal.  

Light + Xiaomi

Light, the leader in advanced computational imaging, and Xiaomi Corporation, an internet company with smartphones and smart hardware connected by an Internet of Things (IoT) platform at its core, today announced the signing of an agreement to jointly develop and market new imaging solutions for smartphones.

The partnership will see Light bring together its advanced computational imaging technology with Xiaomi’s long history of innovation in building high-end smartphone devices, enabling the companies to bring to market multi-camera smart devices with DSLR-level capabilities.

Dave Grannan, CEO and co-founder, Light: "Xiaomi is one of the most innovative smartphone device manufacturers with an incredible pedigree, and we’re excited to enter this partnership with them. Light’s computational imaging is forever changing the way our devices see the world, and we look forward to applying our pioneering multi-camera technology and empowering their devices with the imaging solutions of the future."

Zhu Dan, VP, smartphone division, GM of camera department, Xiaomi: "We are thrilled to partner with Light to leverage their advanced imaging solutions for our future devices. Xiaomi works tirelessly to remain at the forefront of smartphone innovation, and perfecting smartphone photography is a key focus for us. We are excited to work on devices using Light’s technology so our users can produce even more amazing photos."

Light + Sony Semiconductors

Last week Light announced a joint development with Sony Semiconductors Solutions.

Light, the leader in advanced computational imaging announces the agreement with Sony Semiconductor Solutions, the leader in the Image Sensor industry to jointly work on development and marketing of multi-image sensor solutions.

The agreement allows Light to use and recommend to its customers and partners, Sony’s image sensors built in Light’s computational imaging solutions and reference designs. These new reference designs combine Light’s multi-camera technology together with Sony’s image sensors to create new multi-camera applications and solutions beginning with the introduction of smartphones containing four or more cameras.

(Click on image to enlarge)

Dave Grannan, CEO and co-founder, Light: "Sony is the recognized quality and market share leader in image sensors and we are thrilled to partner with them. We are entering an entirely new era of intelligent imaging applications that will transform smartphones, autonomous vehicles, and security systems. With Sony’s world-class image sensors, we can introduce new innovations in the multi-camera imaging space." 

Hank Ochi, president of Component Solutions Business Division, Sony Electronics Inc.: "We are excited to be working with Light and driving multi-sensor-based products and solutions into the market. Light and its technology are transforming how devices see the world. This new partnership will allow us to work together to evolve and speed up the design of today’s multi-image sensor enabled connected devices. Starting today, our jointly developed reference designs will help our smartphone OEMs to quickly and easily enhance the imaging capability of multi-camera enabled smartphones."

Do you want to see the light? Check out their website here for more information about what could be the next great thing in smartphone photography and beyond.

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