I Wanted To Love The Leica Phone

The world of cameras is a lot like the world of wristwatches: even if you don’t “get it,” you can’t deny the allure of a well-made piece of hardware, with those precision details and mechanical textures so often missing from the smartphone world. 

So when camera legend Leica designed a new carapace for one of the most curious cameraphones of 2021, I knew I wanted to take it for a spin – even if, at its core, it’s just a rebadged Sharp Aquos R6 … and even if took until almost 2022 for me to get a hold of one. I’m Michael Fisher and I’ve spent a month with Leica’s “first smartphone.” Join me for MrMobile’s Leitz Phone 1 Review!

[ABOUT MRMOBILE’S LEICA LEITZ PHONE 1 REVIEW]

MrMobile’s Leica Leitz Phone 1 Review was produced following thirty days with a Leitz Phone 1 review sample provided by Qualcomm. MrMobile does not accept compensation from the manufacturers of the products he reviews in exchange for producing content. No payment was provided and no manufacturer or carrier was afforded a preview, editorial input or copy approval rights concerning this review.

[PRODUCTS IN THIS VIDEO]

Sharp Aquos R6 [Sharp]:

Leitz Phone 1 [Leica Camera AG]:

[LINKS]

Leica Leitz 1 Unboxing + Hands-on + Camera Test [ben’s gadget reviews]:

Sharp Aquos R6 Hands-on - The Smartphone With The 1-inch Camera Sensor [ben’s gadget reviews]:

We used the Leica M11 for a month! [The Studio]:

Sharp Aquos R6 Hands-On: This huge 1-inch camera sensor can’t compensate for lackluster software processing [XDA]:

How is everyone updating the firmware? Used Japanese SIM card? [XDA]:

Leica Lens Font: LG 1050 By Aen [Designspiration]:

[MUSIC]

“Crystalized” by Luna Wave [Soundstripe]:

“Kill The Noise” by DaMarcus VanBuren [Soundstripe]:

“Ask Me Again Sometime” by Midnight Daydream [Soundstripe]:

[SOCIALIZE]

[DISCLOSURES]

This post may contain affiliate links, which afford Future plc a commission should you make a purchase. This does not affect MrMobile’s editorial content. See Future's disclosure policy for more details:

Additional information concerning MrMobile’s ethics policy can be found here:

#leica #leicaphone #leitzphone1 #cameraphone #smartphone #tech #mrmobile

[small-frygamer]

This phone looks like the love child of a Nokia 1020 and something from the Galaxy Note lineup, and that's a really good thing. Just wish it actually- ya know, worked better 😅

[thethhour]

Between this and the Surface Duo 2 at-launch, any phone that gets shipped with touch response issues should be laughed out off the industry. It's an absolute clown move.

[mlb]

I think you might be the only reviewer to still include call quality on a smartphone. It's appreciated 👍

[dannywinget]

Fantastic my friend. I agree on everything since I have been using this device as well.

[MeatNinja]

I do love the design, as a former Lumia enjoyer.

[nikkipedro]

I cannot remember if I left any comments for you last year so I have decided the thank you in advance this year. Your content has merely one flaw... there is not enough. You are easily my favourite Youtuber. Sincerely, thank you.

[peteT]

I never even knew this phone existed. Lovely review, thanks.

[Freakschwimmer]

Hi :) First time on your channel. When I clicked this vid I was a bit sceptical (Many people claim to do a review but have no idea what they are talking about and just regurgitate marketing material). But your work has won me over: well flowing video, a good script, solid arguments, nice examples (especially liked the b/w picture comparison) and pleasing cinematography! Bloody well done!

[Caa]

Props to whoever chooses the background music, it's on point. Congrats on great videos MrMobile, keep it up!

[tracerhax]

I love your style of creating; made me want that phone in the first half, had me rethinking my choice in the later part. Bravo!

[Magnetorheological]

The last phone I imported from Japan was a Sharp Aquos SH-01G back in 2014, and while the phone itself was great and ran well (no touch issues lol), there was one major annoyance with the camera, where you cannot turn off the shutter sound and it's also loud as hell!! (I think it's a Japanese law) Something to consider for anyone looking to import one of these!

[Shivamutkarsh]

Love your videos Michael <3 The aesthetic vibes are always on point here!

[brunofernandezgarcia-viso]

Awesome video as always, it's a pleasure seeing them :) I had not heard about this phone, good to know just to have it on the radar

[tams]

I just don't understand how so many of these companies half arse this great concepts for devices. Especially considering how much it must cost to even get anything into production and sold.

[dimitrimendrinos]

Amazing review Michael. Best tech reviewer on YouTube by far. Please keep up the good work. A One Plus 10 Pro review would be nice.

[Screwy]

4:41 Of all the references you could've made, this was the most pleasantly surprising. Respect

[ryuhaneda]

0:52 Technically a “re-badge”
1:23 Retro comparo
2:03 “Without skidding over the edge into boring”
2:40 Is it harder to use the camera?
3:10 Coulda, woulda, shoulda?
3:48 “This is a solid smartphone”
4:51 Cellular performance
5:30 Touch response woes
6:18 And on to the photographs
7:28 “No artificial processing”
8:52 He let the city decide
9:47 If

[AudioHand]

The touch response is totally okay with my set. Not sure if your device has the problem or it was something to do with software which is now sorted out of my device.

[TheScandinavianOne]

4:40 I laughed my head off at the Office Space reference. Good grief what a surprise that was. XD

[NirmalDevasurendra]

as mentioned the lens cap could have had a swivel mount, which could have had a landing zone on the wireless charging coil to hold it in place when in use.