Minimalist vs Bold: Contrasting Designs
The Xiaomi 15 boasts a minimalist design with a compact and comfortable build. Its matte finish resists fingerprints, and the overall feel is solid and premium. However, the design is nearly identical to last year’s Xiaomi 14, which might leave some users yearning for more innovation. The available colors—black, white, and green—add to the understated appeal. On the other hand, the Xiaomi 15 Ultra adopts a bold, camera-focused design with a two-tone silver chrome and faux black leather finish. While visually striking, its large camera module can be cumbersome, making it prone to scratches, catching on pockets, and complicating wireless charging. A protective case is almost essential for everyday use.
Durability and Display Excellence
Both models feature IP68 water resistance and Xiaomi’s Shield Glass for durability, with the Ultra offering an enhanced version for better protection. The phones’ displays are another standout feature, with AMOLED panels that deliver stunning visuals. The Xiaomi 15 has a 6.36-inch display with a resolution of 3670×1200, while the Ultra offers a larger 6.73-inch display with a resolution of 3200×1440. Both displays support a 1–120 Hz refresh rate, Dolby Vision, and HDR10+, with peak brightness reaching an impressive 3,200 nits. Combined with above-average stereo speakers, these phones provide a premium multimedia experience.
Powerful Performance for Every Task
Performance is a strong point for both models, powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset. The Xiaomi 15 comes with 12 GB of RAM and storage options of 256 GB or 512 GB, while the Ultra includes 16 GB of RAM and offers up to 1 TB of storage with UFS 4.1 technology. Both phones handle demanding apps and games effortlessly, though the Ultra’s higher RAM and faster storage give it an edge in intensive tasks like using the advanced camera app.
Battery Life and Charging Capabilities
Battery life has seen significant improvement, with the Xiaomi 15 offering a 5,240 mAh battery and the Ultra featuring a slightly larger 5,410 mAh capacity. Both phones comfortably last over a day with moderate use, and their fast-charging capabilities are impressive. The Xiaomi 15 supports 90W wired and 50W wireless charging, while the Ultra upgrades to 80W wireless charging. Charging from empty to full takes less than an hour with a Hypercharge-compatible charger. However, the lack of Qi2 support for magnetic charging accessories feels like a missed opportunity for innovation.
Cameras: A Tale of Two Titans
When it comes to photography, the Xiaomi 15 Ultra is a standout performer. Its quad-lens system includes a 50 MP main camera with a large 1-inch sensor, a 200 MP periscope telephoto lens with 4.3x optical zoom and up to 120x digital zoom, and two additional 50 MP lenses for telephoto and ultrawide shots. The Ultra lacks the variable aperture from the previous generation but compensates with exceptional software optimization that enhances image quality. The Xiaomi 15, with its triple-lens 50 MP system, is no slouch either, delivering versatile performance for most shooting scenarios. Both phones feature AI enhancements for photo editing and customization, though some tools require a Xiaomi account to unlock their full potential.
Software: Promising but Not Perfect
HyperOS 2, Xiaomi’s custom Android 15 interface, powers both devices and introduces advanced AI tools for transcription, translation, and photo editing. While these features are innovative, the transcription tool lags behind Google’s Recorder app, and some AI capabilities feel less refined compared to competitors. The interface is smooth and intuitive overall, but excessive bloatware detracts from an otherwise polished experience.
Conclusion: Strong Contenders with Room for Growth
Overall, the Xiaomi 15 and 15 Ultra are excellent flagship smartphones that deliver strong performance, beautiful displays, and outstanding cameras. However, their incremental updates, coupled with minor flaws like the Ultra’s bulky design and the absence of Qi2 support, prevent them from being truly groundbreaking. Despite these drawbacks, they remain compelling choices for users seeking a premium experience.
Final Rating: 8/10
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