Xiaomi 15 Ultra Review: My Honest Experience

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Design & Display

From the moment I held the Xiaomi 15 Ultra, it was clear that the design was something special. The bold circular camera module and classic styling reminded me of vintage cameras. The display, a 6.73″ WQHD+ LTPO OLED panel, instantly stood out for its sharp resolution and stunning brightness; it peaks at 3200 nits, making it perfectly visible even under direct sunlight. The curved back makes it easy to hold, and I really liked the Vegan Leather variant, which adds both grip and style. Overall, the Xiaomi 15 Ultra Review from a design perspective is nothing short of premium.

Build Quality & Buttons

Xiaomi really nailed the build on this one. It feels rock solid in the hand, thanks to Shield Glass 2.0 and a durable aluminum frame. The side buttons have a satisfying click, and the texture on the back gives it a premium and secure grip. In this Xiaomi 15 Ultra Review, I found the build quality to be among the best in class.

Performance & Software

I put the phone through its paces using high-performance apps and games. Powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite chip and paired with up to 16GB of RAM, the Xiaomi 15 Ultra handled everything I threw at it with ease. Games like Genshin Impact ran smoothly without noticeable frame drops. However, I did find the HyperOS 2 software to be a bit bloated. While it offers a lot of features, it might feel overwhelming if you’re used to a more minimal interface. That said, performance remains one of the strongest highlights in this Xiaomi 15 Ultra Review.

Cameras & Imaging

This is easily the most impressive part of the Xiaomi 15 Ultra. During my testing, I used all four cameras extensively:

• 50MP 1″ main sensor
• 50MP ultrawide
• 50MP 3x telephoto
• 200MP periscope with 4x optical zoom

The photos were sharp, well-balanced, and color-accurate. The Leica tuning brings out a very natural tone in images. Zoom shots were incredibly detailed, even at higher magnifications. I also tested the micro-camera mode and was amazed at how closely I could capture textures and small objects. The camera performance makes this Xiaomi 15 Ultra Review stand out from its competitors.

Videography

Recording videos on the Xiaomi 15 Ultra was a joy. I shot in both 4K 60fps and 8K 24fps, and the results were incredibly stable, thanks to the OIS and EIS combo. The Pro Video mode gives serious creators extra flexibility, and I appreciated the ability to manually adjust focus and exposure.

Battery & Charging

Battery life was a mixed bag for me. The 5,410 mAh battery got me through most of the day, but not with much to spare when I was gaming or using the camera heavily. Charging, though, is fantastic. I went from 0 to 100% in about 30 minutes using the 90W charger. Wireless charging at 80W is just as impressive, and I even made use of the 10W reverse charging to top up my earbuds. In my Xiaomi 15 Ultra Review, the fast-charging technology was one of the most convenient features.

Connectivity & Extras

The Xiaomi 15 Ultra has all the latest connectivity features. I tested 5G and Wi-Fi 7 both were blazing fast. It also supports eSIM, USB 3.2 speeds, and Bluetooth 5.4. The in-display ultrasonic fingerprint sensor worked quickly and reliably. One thing I couldn’t find was an SOS feature. These premium specs deserve special mention in any Xiaomi 15 Ultra Review.

Audio

I was pleased with the stereo speakers. They’re loud, detailed, and support Dolby Atmos, which made media consumption really enjoyable. Calls were clear, and the noise-canceling microphones did their job even in noisy environments.

Dimensions, Weight & Feel

At 221 grams, the phone definitely feels hefty, but it’s a good kind of solid. The weight is well-distributed, and the thickness (9.2mm) is understandable given the massive camera system. As I noted in this Xiaomi 15 Ultra Review, the device’s heft is justified by its powerful hardware.

Box Contents

Inside the box, Xiaomi includes everything you need: a 90W charger, USB-C cable, a sturdy protective case, and the SIM ejector tool. I appreciated not having to buy a charger separately.

Price & Availability

Here’s the pricing based on memory configurations:

• 12GB/256GB: €1,299
• 16GB/512GB: €1,499
• 16GB/1TB: €1,599

It’s currently available in China and select parts of Europe. Sadly, there’s no word yet on a US release. Pricing is competitive when you consider the full package, as I found while doing this Xiaomi 15 Ultra Review.

Comparison: Xiaomi 15 Ultra vs Galaxy S25 Ultra

Pros

In my experience with the Xiaomi 15 Ultra, it truly excels in several areas. The camera system left me genuinely impressed, especially the zoom capabilities, which I found to be some of the best available on a smartphone today. The OLED display is nothing short of stunning; its brightness and clarity make using it outdoors or watching HDR content a treat. I pushed the phone with demanding games, and thanks to the Snapdragon 8 Elite and high refresh rate, the experience remained consistently smooth. What also stood out to me was the super-fast wireless charging. It’s incredibly convenient and a big plus for daily use.

Cons

Of course, no phone is perfect. The battery life, while decent, isn’t exceptional especially under heavy use. The camera module is quite large, which makes the phone bulky. I also found that the HyperOS software could be cleaner and more intuitive. Lastly, the phone’s availability is very limited for now. These are key points I noted during my Xiaomi 15 Ultra Review.

Final Thoughts

After spending time with the Xiaomi 15 Ultra, I can confidently say it’s one of the most powerful and photography-focused smartphones I’ve ever tested. It’s a great choice for creators, mobile photographers, and power users if you can live with the size and limited availability. For me, it felt like carrying a mini DSLR in my pocket, and that alone makes it worth considering in 2025. If you’re looking for real-world performance, this Xiaomi 15 Ultra Review should help guide your decision.

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