Xiaomi’s Ultra lineup has always pushed boundaries for Android users, and last year’s 14 Ultra set a high bar with its incredible camera system. With a massive 1-inch sensor, it delivered some of the best smartphone photos ever. Now, the 15 Ultra is here, refining that formula and adding an exceptional telephoto lens for even more versatility.
But it’s not just about cameras. While Xiaomi didn’t overhaul the main sensor, a few key tweaks—along with the latest Snapdragon 8 Elite chip and AI-powered enhancements—keep it at the top of the photography flagship game. Charging speeds remain fast, but you won’t find an adapter in the box this time—just a USB-A to USB-C cable and a transparent snap-on case.
If you’re wondering whether the 15 Ultra is worth your money, here are 10 things we found that you might love.
But first, a quick look at the specifications.
Xiaomi 15 Ultra key specs
- Body: 161.3 x 75.3 x 9.4mm, 226g; IP68 dust and water resistance (1.5m for 30 min).
- Display: 6.73″ LTPO AMOLED, 120Hz, 1440x3200px resolution.
- Processor: Qualcomm SM8750-AB Snapdragon 8 Elite (3nm).
- Storage: 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM (UFS 4.1).
- Software: Android 15, HyperOS 2, 4 major Android upgrades.
- Rear Camera: 50 MP (f/1.6, wide), 50 MP (f/1.8, 3x telephoto), 200 MP (f/2.6, 4.3x telephoto), 50 MP (f/2.2, ultrawide).
- Front Camera: 32 MP (f/2.0, 21mm, wide).
- Video Capture: Rear: 8K@30fps, 4K@30/60/120fps, 1080p up to 1920fps, Dolby Vision HDR; Front: 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps.
- Battery & Charging: 5410mAh (6000mAh in China), 90W wired, 80W wireless, 10W reverse wireless.
- Connectivity: 5G, eSIM, NFC, infrared port.
- Misc: Ultrasonic fingerprint reader, stereo speakers, two-way satellite communication.
- Colours: White, Black, Silver-Chrome.
- Starting Price: ₦3,398,544 / $2182 (without kit); ₦3,762,942 / $2,416 (with photography kit).
10 standout features Android users will appreciate in the Xiaomi 15 Ultra
Aside from being a camera phone, these features, whether introduced with this model or carried over from the 14 Ultra, make the Xiaomi 15 Ultra a compelling choice.
1. Smarter, brighter display
The Xiaomi 15 Ultra maintains its practical 6.73-inch QHD OLED panel while competitors keep growing larger, striking an ideal balance between usability and immersion. Though specs appear unchanged, the display now reaches an impressive 1,599 nits in auto mode—300 nits brighter than its predecessor for better outdoor visibility.
A subtle four-way curved display keeps swipes smooth without compromising usability, while the move to an ultrasonic fingerprint reader improves unlocking reliability, especially with wet or dirty fingers. The adaptive refresh system seamlessly adjusts between 1Hz and 120Hz without fixed steps, optimising responsiveness based on content. Video playback benefits from dedicated refresh rates that match frame rates (24, 30, 48, and 60fps), though gaming performance varies, many titles are capped at 60fps. HDR10+ and Dolby Vision support ensure vibrant visuals across Netflix, YouTube, and other platforms, backed by Widevine L1 certification for high-resolution streaming.
2. Unrivaled telephoto lens
Xiaomi put serious effort into the 15 Ultra’s zoom system, and it shows. The 200MP periscope lens at 4.3x delivers sharp, natural shots with great depth, making it more useful than the main sensor in many cases. A 3x telephoto lens helps cover mid-range zoom, which is often more practical. Up to 10x, image quality holds up well, and even at 30x, results are solid before sharpening becomes aggressive. Beyond that, the 120x zoom is more of a spec sheet flex than a real-world advantage, but for everyday zoom needs, the system is among the best.
The ultrawide and selfie cameras, though, don’t get the same attention. They’re good, but nothing special. It’s clear Xiaomi focused on making zooming a highlight rather than pushing improvements across the board.
3. Snapdragon 8 Elite multitasking power
The Xiaomi 15 Ultra joins the Elite tier of Android flagships with Qualcomm’s high-end chip instead of the Dimensity processors found in some Chinese competitors. With 16GB LPDDR5X RAM and UFS 4.1 storage, it handles demanding tasks with ease. Unlike some competitors, Xiaomi avoids aggressive throttling, maintaining consistent performance over time.
Benchmark results place it solidly among Elite-powered devices, though sustained performance testing reveals some limitations—completing most but not all of the 3DMark Wild Life Extreme stress test runs.
The device’s CPU Throttling test shows a minimal initial performance drop before a more substantial decline later. The powerful hardware combination delivers exceptional real-world performance for gaming, photography, and multitasking without compromising on speed.
4. HyperOS 2 customisation freedom
While not better than One UI 7 overall, HyperOS 2 offers specific advantages Android enthusiasts will appreciate. Xiaomi keeps AI features working efficiently in the background rather than pushing front-end gimmicks that interrupt the experience.
The split notification and quick settings panel, typically a feature many disable, is implemented with intuitive animations that flow from the side you swipe from, enhancing muscle memory and preventing accidental wrong panel activations.
Despite having fewer years of support than Samsung, HyperOS 2 delivers a clean, functional experience that puts customisation in users’ hands without sacrificing performance.
5. Storage options that keep up
Xiaomi doesn’t cut corners on power users’ needs. The 15 Ultra starts at 16GB of RAM, ensuring smooth performance long-term, and even offers a rare 1TB storage variant—putting it in the same league as Samsung’s Ultra series. In contrast, the Galaxy S25 Ultra sticks with 12GB of RAM, despite Samsung touting Galaxy AI as a selling point.
While 12GB may be enough in 2025, with seven years of software support promised, an extra 4GB could make a difference down the line.
Yes, the global Xiaomi 15 Ultra costs more than the base S25 Ultra, but you get more RAM and storage for the money. At this price, no one wants to feel shortchanged, and Xiaomi makes sure you don’t—something that can’t always be said for Samsung’s approach.
6. Premium hardware feel
The Xiaomi 15 Ultra delivers premium build quality with a design that stands out. Despite its weight and massive camera bump, the phone feels well-balanced, with the top-heavy layout allowing for a secure grip. The 6.73-inch display is a practical size, avoiding the oversized trend of other flagships.
The two-tone hero colourway mimics a classic rangefinder camera, complete with a grippy faux-leather back. If that’s not your style, the satin black and wavy white options offer glass-fibre backs with a clean, modern look. The aluminium frame is thicker this year for better handling, and the buttons provide solid tactile feedback, with a knurled power button for added grip.
Xiaomi Shield Glass 2.0 protects the screen, and while the phone has an IP68 rating, it skips the newer IP69 standard some rivals now offer.
7. Fastest charging among flagships
The Xiaomi 15 Ultra combines high-speed charging with solid endurance. Its global variant packs a 5,410mAh silicon-carbon battery—an upgrade over the previous model—while the Chinese version goes even bigger at 6,000mAh. Battery life is among the best, with a class-leading 16:13h Active Use Score, excelling in video playback, gaming, and calls.
With 90W wired and 80W wireless charging, it outpaces key rivals like the Galaxy S25 Ultra, Pixel 9 Pro XL, and iPhone 16 Pro Max. The phone ships without a charger, but USB Power Delivery support ensures you can still reach top speeds with the right adapter. Battery health tools also let you fine-tune charging limits to manage long-term wear.
8. An almost complete photography kit
The Photography Kit Legend Edition refines the experience with better ergonomics and pro-level controls. The 2,000mAh battery grip extends shooting time, while a new thumb grip improves stability for handheld photography.
The shutter button now supports screw-in soft caps, and the kit adds a 67mm filter adapter ring, making it easier to use pro-grade lens filters. If you want a more DSLR-like feel, this kit brings Xiaomi’s best photo tools yet.
9. AI that goes beyond Gemini
The Xiaomi 15 Ultra embraces AI with both Google’s Gemini and a robust suite of in-house tools. Gemini handles the usual text generation, conversations, and image creation while Circle to Search offers system-wide lookups. But Xiaomi’s own AI tools stand out.
A dedicated Settings menu makes them easy to find, though they still live in different apps. The Notes app can translate, summarise, and proofread, while the Gallery app removes objects, expands backgrounds, and generates short videos. The Recorder app transcribes with speaker separation and live translation, and system-wide AI subtitles enhance media.
Photo editing gets a boost with tools to erase objects, remove reflections, and even swap skies. Many features run in the cloud, but Xiaomi isn’t charging—yet.
10. Loud and very nice-sounding speakers
It’s one thing to find a loud speaker, and another to find one with audio-balance. The Xiaomi 15 Ultra does both with its stereo setup, combining a bottom-firing speaker with a front-facing earpiece. The missing top grille means no sound leaks during calls, not that it’s a major concern. It earns a “Very Good” loudness rating, ranking ahead of the Find X8 Pro and vivo X200 Pro, and possibly matching the Galaxy S25 Ultra—though the iPhone 16 Pro Max might still have a slight edge.
Clarity and separation remain solid at most volume levels, though high frequencies get shaky at max output. Bass is always present but could be stronger in the mix. Dolby Atmos support adds EQ presets and spatial audio, helping fine-tune the experience.
Everything else: In addition, Xiaomi stays ahead with strong wireless connectivity, including Beidou Satellite Communication, 5G enhancements, Wi-Fi 7 support, and Bluetooth 5.4. Running on Android 15, the 15 Ultra delivers reliable network performance, maintaining solid 5G reception in challenging areas and ensuring clear call quality. Wi-Fi 7 support futureproofs the device, while compatibility with Wi-Fi 6 routers keeps connections stable and consistent.
What we think could be better in Xiaomi 15 Ultra
- Addition of an alert slider for managing notifications
- Base level IP68 rating–other outdoor Androids get IP69.
- The phone can be picky about chargers when it comes to getting peak power.
- Tendency to overheat under prolonged load.
- Selfies could be better.
Availability & Pricing
The Xiaomi 15 Ultra launched globally on February 27, 2025, starting at €1,499 for the 16GB/512GB variant. Availability is limited in some regions, including Africa, though select markets offer pre-order bundles with photography kits, wireless chargers, or tablets.
Notably, the global model has a 5,410mAh battery, smaller than the Chinese version’s 6,000mAh capacity. Trade-in options through the Xiaomi app can help reduce the cost. On AliExpress, the 15 Ultra is listed at ₦3,398,544 ($2,182) without the kit and ₦3,762,942 ($2,416) with the photography kit. Local retailers may offer additional deals.
Xiaomi does not officially sell its phones in the U.S., but the 15 Ultra will be released in the U.K. soon. The 16GB/512GB model will cost £1,299 (about $1,640), while the top-end 16GB/1TB version will be priced at £1,499 (around $1,895).
The elite cameraphone to beat in 2025?
The Xiaomi 15 Ultra sticks to its roots—killer cameras, leading performance, and a design that means business. If you’re after the best smartphone photography, this might just be it. The dual telephoto setup gives it an edge and that big main sensor? No one else has done it quite like this.
Of course, it’s not perfect. HyperOS still has its quirks, battery longevity isn’t its strongest suit, and it runs hot under pressure. But stack it against the competition, and it holds its own. The vivo X200 Pro and Oppo Find X8 Pro get close, but Xiaomi keeps a slight lead in imaging. The S25 Ultra is the better all-rounder, but not the better camera phone. The Honor Magic7 Pro tries, but Xiaomi’s system is more refined.
If you’re upgrading from an older Android phone and want top-tier photography, the 15 Ultra is an easy pick. If you’re coming from the 14 Ultra, there might be no need to upgrade. And if software polish and battery life are your top priorities, Samsung or Apple might be the better fit.
