Xiaomi eyes youth with new smartphones optimized for photography

Chinese smartphone vendor Xiaomi Corp has unveiled new smartphones to attract younger generations with what it called an "exceptional" photography experience.

The models, named the Mi CC9 series, come with a 32-million-pixel front camera and 48-megapixel rear camera. Devices are equipped with the latest generation of in-screen fingerprint sensor and a large 4,030 milliamp-hours battery, and can be purchased from 1,299 yuan ($188) in China.

The new smartphones, released in Beijing on Tuesday night, came after Xiaomi received an exclusive global license to use the smartphone brand of selfie application maker Meitu Inc.

The new Mi CC9 smartphones are "designed to be a flagship for photography and selfies with both front and back cameras," Xiaomi said in a statement. The phones use a photo algorithm developed in partnership with Meitu.

Lei Jun, CEO of Xiaomi, said the new phones are designed for trendy young people, with CC standing for "camera plus camera", a reference to the dual camera system.

At the back, the Mi CC9 sports a triple camera setup with a 48-megapixel flagship main lens and it can intelligently detect when architectural or group shots are taken, recommending if users should switch to an ultrawide-angle mode for a more optimal image. With a built-in AI distortion correction enabled, the device also corrects image distortion automatically, Xiaomi said.