The Xiaomi 15 Ultra arrived with high expectations, following the impressive Xiaomi 14 Ultra, my favorite camera phone of 2024. This latest iteration continues the fascinating partnership between Xiaomi and Leica, promising cutting-edge mobile photography. The question is, how could Xiaomi improve upon an already stellar device? After spending time with the 15 Ultra, I realized my expectations might have been a tad ambitious, but not because the phone is inherently flawed. Let me explain.
Specifications
| Feature | Xiaomi 15 Ultra |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 161.3 x 75.3 x 9.48mm |
| Weight | 229 grams |
| Display | 6.73-inch AMOLED, 1-120Hz, 3200 x 1440, 3200 peak brightness, 1920Hz PWM dimming |
| Operating System | Xiaomi HyperOS 2, Android 15 |
| Storage | 512GB or 1TB |
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite |
| RAM | 16GB |
| Cameras | 50MP main, 50MP wide-angle, 50MP telephoto, 200MP periscope telephoto, 32MP front |
| Durability | Aluminum frame, Xiaomi Shield Glass 2.0, IP68 |
| Battery | 5,410mAh, 90W HyperCharge wired, 80W Hypercharge wireless |
| Colors | Black and Chrome, Black, White |
| Price (UK) | £1,299 (16GB/512GB), £1,499 (16GB/1TB) |
Design and Build
The Xiaomi 15 Ultra on a table.
The Xiaomi 15 Ultra’s design immediately evokes a high-end camera. The top section, in landscape orientation, features a metal construction, while the lower section is clad in a vegan leather panel encased within the metal chassis. This classic and stylish design subtly hints at the phone’s photographic prowess. The “Ultra” logo, prominent Leica branding, and coin-edged bezel surrounding the sizable camera module add to the premium aesthetic. While the camera module is large, its symmetrical layout prevents it from overwhelming the phone’s clean lines. For those who prefer a less camera-centric look, the 15 Ultra also comes in black and white variants.
The Ultra logo on the Xiaomi 15 Ultra.
However, the phone’s size and weight are noticeable. At 9.5mm thick and weighing 229 grams, it has a top-heavy feel in portrait orientation, and its presence in your pocket is undeniable. The 3D curved screen edges prevent the phone from digging into your hand, and the large camera module rests comfortably against your fingers, improving balance. The design is a significant improvement over the 14 Ultra, complemented by an IP68 dust and water resistance rating.
Display and Performance
A person holding the Xiaomi 15 Ultra.
The 6.73-inch AMOLED display is vibrant and easily visible even in bright sunlight. With a 1-120Hz adaptive refresh rate and a sharp 3200 x 1440 resolution, the screen delivers a premium viewing experience for videos and gaming. The Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite processor provides exceptional performance, making everyday tasks and demanding applications run smoothly. While I encountered some initial app compatibility issues with certain games, restarting the phone resolved these problems.
A person playing a game on the Xiaomi 15 Ultra.
Connectivity has been excellent, with strong 5G performance and clear call quality. Wi-Fi 7 support ensures fast and stable connections. Other features like the loud stereo speakers, wide-angle face unlock, and reliable in-display fingerprint sensor further enhance the overall user experience. As a phone, the Xiaomi 15 Ultra excels, offering everything expected from a flagship device. But with its camera-centric design, can its photographic capabilities match its aesthetic?
Camera System
The Xiaomi 15 Ultra
The Xiaomi 15 Ultra boasts an impressive camera setup: a 50MP Sony LYT-900 main sensor with f/1.63 aperture, OIS, and EIS; a 50MP Samsung JN5 wide-angle lens; and two telephoto lenses—a 200MP periscope and a 50MP floating telephoto. Leica’s Vario-Summilux lens technology, combined with AI enhancements and various editing features (including emulations of Apple and Samsung photographic styles), complete the package.
Given my fondness for the Xiaomi 14 Ultra, the 15 Ultra had big shoes to fill. However, the omission of the manually variable aperture, a standout feature of the 14 Ultra, raises concerns.
A photo taken with the Xiaomi 15 Ultra.
A photo taken with the Xiaomi 15 Ultra.
While the 15 Ultra’s camera is undoubtedly excellent, it lacks a certain “special something.” Colors, particularly in the default Leica Vibrant mode, appear slightly over-saturated. While consistency between the main and wide-angle cameras is good, the zoom performance is inconsistent. The 3x zoom lacks vibrancy, while the 4.3x zoom photos often appear over-processed. On the positive side, the main camera delivers excellent detail and natural depth of field. However, it hasn’t replaced my preference for other flagship cameras like the OnePlus 13.
The Gallery app on the Xiaomi 15 Ultra.
It’s worth noting that a “Photography Kit” for the 14 Ultra contributed significantly to its photographic success. Whether a similar kit will be available for the 15 Ultra remains to be seen.
Software Experience
The Quick Settings screen on the Xiaomi 15 Ultra.
The Xiaomi 15 Ultra runs HyperOS 2, Xiaomi’s custom skin over Android 15. Compared to One UI 7 and OxygenOS 15 on devices like the Samsung Galaxy S25 series and OnePlus 13, HyperOS feels less refined and intuitive. Notification reliability was an issue, with notifications sometimes failing to appear. App refresh inconsistencies were also observed. While HyperOS offers extensive customization options, navigating these settings can be cumbersome. Simple tasks, like changing the wallpaper, become unnecessarily complicated.
A video playing on the Xiaomi 15 Ultra.
The default split notification shade, where swiping down on the left reveals notifications and swiping on the right shows quick settings, is awkward and can be thankfully disabled in settings. While some may appreciate the level of customization, it often comes at the cost of user-friendliness.
Battery and Charging
The Xiaomi 15 Ultra on charge.
The Xiaomi 15 Ultra houses a substantial 5,410mAh battery, supporting 90W HyperCharge wired charging and 80W wireless charging. With moderate usage (around three hours of screen-on time), the battery easily lasts a full day, often with over 60% remaining. Achieving two full days of use with a total of six hours screen time is readily achievable. Battery efficiency is impressive, with a 40-minute YouTube video consuming only 4% charge.
Price and Availability
The side of the Xiaomi 15 Ultra.
The Xiaomi 15 Ultra is not available in the U.S. but will be released in the U.K. soon. Pricing starts at £1,299 for the 16GB/512GB model (approximately $1,640) and £1,499 for the 16GB/1TB variant (approximately $1,895). This places it in direct competition with the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra and Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max, making alternatives like the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL, Oppo Find 8 Pro, and OnePlus 13 appear more budget-friendly.
Final Verdict
A person holding the Xiaomi 15 Ultra.
The Xiaomi 15 Ultra is a powerful and capable smartphone, offering a premium user experience in many areas. However, its camera, while good, doesn’t quite live up to the high expectations set by its predecessor and its marketing. This, coupled with software quirks and its substantial size, makes it a phone that requires some compromises. The Xiaomi 14 Ultra’s exceptional camera made such compromises easier to accept.
The 15 Ultra’s impressive specifications are tempting, but its camera performance hasn’t fully delivered on its promise. While I haven’t given up on the 15 Ultra’s camera potential, and will continue to explore its features and await a possible Photography Kit, for now, it’s a recommendation with some reservations.
