Xiaomi once worked on a single-camera phone in 2024 — But it never launched

A mysterious Xiaomi prototype has appeared online, and it has left all of the fans wondering if it was ever meant to hit the market or not. The rear back panel has only a single teeny camera hole and no flash cutout anywhere to be seen — something we have not seen yet in Xiaomi’s new smartphone line. What makes it uniquely special is the replacement of the Xiaomi logo with the names “Amazon” and “Nebula,” which are both thoroughly documented in-house codenames given by Xiaomi to its early development devices.

Design and Construction Details

The leaked image only shows us the back cover, without much to comment on the internal components. However, Xiaomi enthusiasts were quick to notice two various model versions — a flat-back smaller version and a curved-back bigger one. This led one to think that the company had likely been experimenting with various shapes, possibly as part of an abandoned project or first try at a new flagship lineup.

If you’ve kept up with Xiaomi’s past, you’ll recall that the firm occasionally dabbles in crazy designs that never enter mass production. This prototype can be part of one of those early design studies that assist with refining next-generation Xiaomi phones.

Why Was It Never Released?

Though Xiaomi has yet to issue a statement about this mysterious device, there are some possible explanations for why it could have disappeared. Maybe the single-camera module failed internal image-quality standards, or maybe the design direction had shifted towards multi-camera modules, which became a market standard around the same time.

A number of experts believe it might have been an internal test concepts device or a software optimization hardware shell, especially since there is no branding and flash.

Final Thoughts

The appearance of this “Amazon/Nebula” prototype is a fascinating reminder of Xiaomi’s constant innovation and experimentation. Every unseen prototype offers a glimpse into the brand’s creative evolution — one that has transformed Xiaomi into one of the world’s most forward-thinking tech companies.