While the iPhone 17 Air and other upcoming smartphones are intriguing, it’s the Xiaomi 15 Ultra that truly captivates my attention. As a sequel to my favorite camera phone of 2024, the Xiaomi 14 Ultra, it has significant expectations to meet.
A Leica and Xiaomi Masterpiece
The back of the Xiaomi 14 Ultra.
Xiaomi’s partnership with Leica has already proven its potential with the 14 Ultra. Leica’s commitment to mobile photography, evident in past collaborations with Huawei (like the P9 and Mate 10 Pro), combined with Xiaomi’s innovative Photography Kit, transformed the 14 Ultra from a phone into a versatile camera. This kit, featuring an external battery within a custom grip and an adapter ring for full-size filters, enhanced the photography experience significantly. The 14 Ultra inspired my creativity in a way few recent smartphones have, fueling my anticipation for its successor.
An Intriguing Design Evolution
Leaked renders of the Xiaomi 15 Ultra.
While the Xiaomi 14 Ultra excelled in functionality, its design felt somewhat underwhelming. The leaked images of the 15 Ultra suggest a significant aesthetic upgrade, potentially inspired by Leica’s iconic camera designs. This collaboration could inject the personality the 14 Ultra lacked.
Possible image of the Xiaomi 15 Ultra.
The rumored specifications hint at a quad-camera system comprising a 50MP 1-inch primary sensor, a wide-angle lens, a 3x telephoto lens, and a 200MP 4.3x telephoto lens, a slight deviation from the 14 Ultra’s configuration.
Navigating the Software Landscape
A photo taken with the Xiaomi 14 Ultra
While hardware is crucial, software plays a vital role in modern smartphone photography. The increasing prevalence of AI in smartphone cameras, particularly among Chinese brands, presents both opportunities and concerns. Features like Google’s Magic Eraser demonstrate AI’s helpfulness, but many AI-driven features can feel gimmicky. I hope Leica’s influence will guide Xiaomi toward a balanced approach, prioritizing refined tuning and tonal quality over excessive AI processing.
A photo taken with the Xiaomi 14 Ultra
A 5x zoom photo taken with the Xiaomi 14 Ultra.
Anticipating the Arrival
The Xiaomi 14 Ultra seen from the back.
If Xiaomi can refine the 14 Ultra’s impressive camera, avoid over-reliance on AI, incorporate a compelling design, and offer a new Photography Kit, the 15 Ultra has the potential to become the best camera phone of 2025. While competitors like the Galaxy S25 Ultra and OnePlus 13 offer strong camera systems, I believe Xiaomi and Leica possess the combined expertise to surpass them. A potential launch in China on February 26, followed by a global announcement at Mobile World Congress 2025, makes the wait almost unbearable. I eagerly anticipate experiencing the Xiaomi 15 Ultra firsthand to see if it truly lives up to its predecessor’s legacy.
