SCHEDULE: 10 November 2026, 2pm GMT (embargo). Delete this line before publishing.

Leica has launched the Leica Cine Play 1 Plus, an upgraded version of its compact smart 4K projector. The new model is brighter, has more contrast and gets improved smart features. It’s on sale now in the UK at £2,550.

The Cine Play 1 Plus comes from Leica Smart Projection GmbH, the Leica Camera AG subsidiary that handles its home cinema range. The headline upgrade is brightness. New laser diodes raise output to up to 4,200 ANSI lumens in Ultra mode, which Leica says gives a bright, punchy picture even in rooms that aren’t completely dark. Contrast has also improved to 2,000:1, which should mean better detail in the shadows.

Leica optics and Triple RGB laser

Leica points out that its projection history goes back to 1926, when it launched its first projector. Inside the Cine Play 1 Plus is a Leica Summicron zoom lens paired with a Triple RGB laser light source and Leica’s own image processing, Leica Image Optimization (LIO). It projects in 4K at screen sizes from 65 to 300 inches.

Setup is designed to be quick. Automatic image alignment and focus adjustment mean the picture is squared up and sharp within seconds of switching on, whether you’re projecting onto a screen or a suitable wall.

A portable home cinema

Leica pitches the Cine Play 1 Plus as a projector you can move around rather than install permanently. It can go in the living room one night and out on the terrace or in the garden the next. It comes with a lightweight, fully recyclable expanded polypropylene (EPP) carry case for storage and transport.

The projector runs the VIDAA 9.6 operating system, with over 400 pre-installed apps including Netflix and Disney+, plus free TV channels, gaming features, a Kids Zone and voice control. You can connect devices over Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and Apple AirPlay, as well as HDMI, USB and LAN. It also works with smart home platforms including Apple Home and Control4. The built-in sound system supports Dolby Digital and DTS Virtual:X.

The design follows Leica’s clean, Bauhaus-inspired look, with a one-piece aluminium housing, a glass front and an aluminium rear panel. There’s also an optional Leica Floor Stand 1, which uses a built-in pin-contact system to power the projector with no visible cables.

Our take

It’s a little outside our usual beat, but Leica’s projectors are a reminder of where the company’s optical expertise reaches beyond cameras. For photographers, a bright, colour-accurate big screen is also a lovely way to show off work, whether that’s a slideshow for a camera club or a family evening of holiday pictures. The jump to 4,200 lumens is the important bit, as it makes the Cine Play 1 Plus far more usable in the kind of rooms most of us actually have.

Leica Cine Play 1 Plus key specifications

Leica Cine Play 1 Plus price and availability

The Leica Cine Play 1 Plus is available now in the UK, Europe and selected Asia-Pacific markets including Australia, from selected Leica Stores and authorised TV, hi-fi and home cinema retailers. The recommended retail price is £2,550 / €2,995 including VAT.