Huawei is seeking to bring Leica’s camera technology to its smartphones after the two companies signed a strategic partnership.
In a statement, the companies said the partnership would span research and development, design, co-engineering, user experience, marketing and retail distribution.
Leica Camera was formed over 100 years ago, building lightweight devices with high-quality optical lens.
Camera manufacturers have been under considerable pressure because of the rise of smartphones. Devices’ megapixel quality lens and affordability have led camera makers to pursure new avenues.
Before the sale of the handset unit to Microsoft, Nokia had a longstanding partnership with Carl Zeiss to bring high-quality lens to its Lumia portfolio.
Oliver Kaltner, CEO of Leica Camera AG said: “The strategic alliance between Huawei and Leica Camera demonstrates the desire of two rapidly growing and globally active brands to continuously push the envelope of the technologically possible. In addition to innovative strength and premium standards, our two companies are united by the commitment to uncompromising quality.
"The technology partnership with Huawei offers Leica Camera an excellent opportunity to introduce its proven optical expertise into a new product segment and to unlock exciting business areas in the field of mobile devices. Smartphones make a very important contribution to the world of photography and open an important door for Leica to new target groups and fields of application.”
Richard Yu, CEO of the Huawei Consumer BG said: “We choose our partners carefully, and with this extraordinary collaboration we are offering our wide customer base and consumers the best elements of two expert brands in harmony: combining innovation and design, enhancing the user experience and continuing to inspire amazing advancement in human technology through exceptional premium imaging quality.
"Leica is a legend in the world of photography; we believe no other manufacturer has revolutionised the industry as much as them. We, Huawei, take the utmost pride in exceptional quality and Leica is in a class of its own in its sector.”