The back cover shows two words where the Xiaomi logo usually sits: “Amazon” and “Nebula.” If you follow Xiaomi’s code names, you’ll know those have shown up in internal listings before — placeholders, most likely. Still, seeing them printed on what looks like real hardware makes you wonder: was this ever meant for the public?
Two shells, two directions
The leak only shows the outer shell, yet that was enough for fans to notice differences — one flat, one curved. Maybe Xiaomi was testing how a new design might feel in hand. Or maybe it was nothing more than a design experiment that never grew beyond early sketches. Hard to tell.
Why it disappeared
Xiaomi hasn’t commented — and probably never will. But there are guesses. Maybe the camera’s performance didn’t meet internal tests. Maybe it was built for software calibration, not consumers. Or perhaps the design direction just felt too… plain.
Whatever the reason, the so-called Amazon/Nebula prototype is a small reminder of how restless Xiaomi’s design team can be. Sometimes innovation doesn’t mean adding features. Sometimes it’s about stripping them away, even if the world never gets to see the result.
Key points
- A leaked Xiaomi prototype from 2024 features only one rear camera and no flash, unlike any recent Xiaomi phone.
- The device carries internal codenames “Amazon” and “Nebula” instead of the usual Xiaomi branding, hinting it was an early test model.
- Two slightly different back covers — one flat, one curved — suggest Xiaomi was experimenting with form factors.
- The prototype was likely abandoned before production, possibly due to camera performance issues or a shift toward multi-camera designs.
- The leak highlights Xiaomi’s experimental design culture, where not every idea makes it to market — but each one influences future flagships.