Leica’s hook up with Huawei to fettle smartphone photography came as a surprise. Initial assumptions were that Leica was preparing to produce its own smartphone. I hope this is not the case, for that would be a sure road to disaster. But as a collaborative arrangement with a major smartphone supplier, Leica’s decision does make some sort of sense.
Smartphone photography (not to mention tablet photography) has taken off in a big way. Everyone has assumed that the convenience and rapidly improving quality of phone cameras would spell doom for the manufacturers of one-trick-pony snappers, particularly those at the lower end of the spectrum. But it seems that this is not entirely the case.
On the contrary, there is every pointer to smartphone photography quickening interest in “proper” picture taking. The reason is that the smartphone, particularly the iPhone of which I have personal experience, seeks to flatter. With seemingly little effort, the iPhone can produce outstanding pictures for the tiny screen, persuading even the least talented among us that we have the makings of a good photography.
It is but a small step from this minor victory to taking a deeper interest in photography. Then comes the slippery slope—perhaps a Sony RX100 or a micro-four-thirds shooter, followed by the irresistible pull of APS-C or, even, full frame or large format. It could well be that the humble smartphone will prove to be the catalyst for a resurgence in serious photography.
But where does this leave Leica and Huawei? I could have preferred to find Leica doing a deal with Apple, particularly since Leica’s Andreas Kaufmann is known to be a seasoned Cupertino fan. That would have been good but, almost certainly, a non starter. Apple is too big and too independent minded; Apple doesn’t need Leica to help it sell phones. Leica, however, could very well have done handsomely from a link with Apple.
If the Leica association exposes Huawei owners to the brand, perhaps leading to an interest in buying a Leica camera, all well and good. Expensive Leica cameras are already surprisingly popular in China—I see more Ms in the Forbidden City than I do on the streets of London—and the Huawei relationship cannot will help in raising awareness. But much will depend on how effectively Leica can improve the quality of smartphone photography. If the association is to be more than a gimmick, there need to be real advances. If there aren’t, Leica’s image could suffer.
Will this encourage Leica owners to flog their Apple devices and espouse China’s finest? No, of course not. it will take more than an Android with red dot to persuade me to ditch Apple and its incomparable eco-system. This will be an interesting one to watch.
I have had regulatory and business dealings with Huawei. The name is pronounced something like ‘ Who-wah-wey’ which could be ‘who are we’.
One should not underestimate the company, just as some people underestimated the Chinese economy 10 or 15 years ago. They are very good technicians and when they get their creative side working as well as their technical side they will provide some much needed competition to Apple and Samsung at the front of the market. Other companies such as HTC from Taiwan are making serious strides into the market. My grandson, aged 19 and an engineering student, wanted a smartphone for a present last Christmas and the only make he wanted was an HTC. Remember how Nokia ruled the market 10 years ago; where are they now? To take another example, 10 years ago most people could not pronounce the word ‘Hyundai’. Now it is the best selling make of car in Ireland and other countries.
As for Leica, they are right in not dealing with Apple, as Apple don’t really need them and I suspect Leica would get bullied in such a ‘relationship’. Modern digital cameras are basically computers with lenses on the front. They are, however, still just cameras. Smartphones are also computers with a lens but they have many other functions and roles, many of which are beyond Leica’s main core competencies. I suspect that Leica are in this as a ‘hedge’ against the complete collapse of the compact camera market and also to create possible additional revenue streams. Leica has competency in the optical field but this aspect is just a small part of what goes into a smartphone. You may also see some ‘re-badged’ Huawei phones with ugly red dots, God forbid.
While I use Apple devices and some modern Leica digital cameras, I have no sentimental attachment to them whatsoever. To me they are just tools. I reserve any sentiment that I may have for my collection of vintage Leicas which to my eyes have achieved a greatness that Apple and modern day Leicas can only aspire to at this stage.
William
For me, I am really pleased that Leica have not made an alliance with Apple, because despite my daily use of several Apple products, it is done more grudgingly than willingly. I am pretty ambivalent about Apple, the company… But more so in regard to Microsoft, on the basis that Apple products tend to cause less trouble than the latter.
Understanding how voracious Apple is, an "association" with Leica would rapidly lead to the disappearance of Leica in my view.
It is certainly a surprise to see Leica make this alliance with Huawei though Mike, since I was of the understanding that they already had such an association with Panasonic… I am sure that you have seen the Panaleica phone… The CM1, with the 1" sensor and the Leica lens?
And now I am desperately trying to make a little play on the name of this Chinese company and its apparent association with Newcastle…
…Something like, "Huawei the (Leica) lads"….
But I just can’t make anything work.
Doh…
I have just reread the title of this piece Mike.
Great minds think alike. And here’s me thinking no one would notice, but I couldn’t resist it. I did consider Huawei the Leica but thought it would be equally lost on both Geordies and Germans.