Who is Dreame and how did it go from vacuum cleaners to luxury smartphones?

Dreame has entered smartphones alongside smart rings, action cameras, and even electric vehicles. Dreame is primarily known for smart cleaning products (robot vacuums, cordless vacuums) and smart home devices. This simultaneous multi-category expansion mirrors the strategy of major Chinese tech companies like Xiaomi and Huawei in building interconnected device ecosystems. Launching a $15,000 luxury phone as a first smartphone product is a bold signal of Dreame's ambitions well beyond its cleaning roots.

How does the wireless detachable camera differ from Sony's earlier QX attempts?

The camera module operates wirelessly via Wi-Fi with a 1-inch sensor, enabling remote operation, greater framing flexibility, and the potential to shoot from multiple angles simultaneously. Sony's QX cameras (2013) connected wirelessly but typically required physical mounting on the phone for comfortable use. The key difference here: the module is fully independent — it can be placed in a completely different position while you control it via your phone display. A 1-inch sensor also delivers meaningfully better low-light performance than typical smartphone cameras.

What does 200 TOPS in the Chixiao 01 chip actually mean in practice?

The Chixiao 01 chip delivers 200 TOPS compared to 80 TOPS in the Snapdragon X2 Elite. TOPS (trillion operations per second) measures AI processing capacity. 200 TOPS is a remarkable figure — it exceeds Apple's A19 Pro (~38 TOPS) and Snapdragon 8 Elite (~50 TOPS) by a significant margin. However, TOPS measurements vary in methodology across companies and don't always translate directly to real-world performance. The signal is clear regardless: Dreame is positioning itself as an AI-first company, not merely a hardware maker.

Can Dreame's luxury phones genuinely compete with Vertu and Ulysse Nardin?

The luxury phones will be built with traditional handcrafting techniques, precious stones, and gold inlays priced at $10,000-$15,000. Vertu built its reputation on British craftsmanship and exclusive personal service — yet went bankrupt twice. Ulysse Nardin produced a clock-backed phone at the height of the luxury phone era. Dreame approaches this space differently: advanced AI technology combined with artisanal handcraft. The core challenge is brand perception — building credible luxury credentials for a name associated primarily with vacuum cleaners in Western consumer minds.

Will Dreame phones reach Arab markets, and does the region fit their target audience?

Dreame is expanding across multiple product categories including smartphones, smart rings, and action cameras. Arab Gulf markets represent a natural fit for $10,000-$15,000 luxury phones given the region's high purchasing power and strong appetite for status-symbol products. Dreame already distributes its home appliances across the Middle East. Official phone availability in the region will depend on its distribution strategy — but the Aurora luxury series appears particularly well-suited to Gulf market preferences.

Dreame Enters the Smartphone Market: The $15,000 Luxury Aurora with Gold and Jewels — and a Detachable 1-inch Wireless Camera and a 200-TOPS Chixiao 01 AI Chip

25/03/2026

Dreame Enters Smartphone Market with $15,000 Luxury Aurora Phones and a Detachable Wi-Fi Camera with 1" Sensor — Plus an In-House 200 TOPS AI Chip

Dreame entering the smartphone market was already a surprise — but the company's reveal has turned heads further: a luxury phone series that would make Vertu blush, and a separate series with a detachable 1-inch sensor camera that operates wirelessly.

Tech Series: Detachable 1" Sensor Camera with Wi-Fi

The more attainably priced series features a detachable camera module housing a 1-inch sensor and a Wi-Fi connection for remote operation. This is similar to Sony's lens-style cameras and differs from more recent detachable camera attempts since the module can work wirelessly — giving more flexibility when framing shots and potentially enabling A and B roll capture with just one phone.

Luxury Aurora Series: Gold, Jewels, Handcrafted Elements — $10,000 to $15,000

The luxury series features jewels and gold inlays built with traditional handcrafting techniques, priced in the CNY 70,000-100,000 range ($10,000-$15,000) depending on the precious materials and number of handcrafted elements. One design even features a working clock on the back — among many possible configurations.

In-House AI Chip: Chixiao 01 at 200 TOPS

Dreame has designed an in-house AI chip called Chixiao 01 promising 200 TOPS of compute power — compared to 80 TOPS in the Snapdragon X2 Elite. This chip will power both the luxury and the camera phone series.

FAQs