From, China
The Xiaomi 15 Ultra is finally here, and it’s clear that Xiaomi has stayed true to what made its predecessor great while adding some impressive upgrades. From its sleek design to the latest hardware, this phone feels like a solid step forward. Let’s break it down.
Performance and Storage
The Xiaomi 15 Ultra is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, paired with either 12GB or 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM. Storage options include 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB of UFS 4.1 storage. According to Xiaomi, the new chipset delivers up to 45% better performance and 52% lower power consumption compared to previous models. That’s a big win for both speed and battery life.
Battery and Charging
The battery has seen a significant upgrade, with a 17% increase in capacity to 6,000mAh (global models will likely have a 5,410mAh battery). It retains the same 90W wired and 80W wireless charging support as the Xiaomi 14 Ultra, which is more than enough for fast top-ups.
Display
The phone features a 6.73-inch AMOLED display with a resolution of 3200x1440px. It supports a 1-120Hz refresh rate and can hit up to 3,200 nits of brightness. Whether you’re gaming or watching videos, this screen is a treat.
Design and Build
The Xiaomi 15 Ultra comes in three variants: Black, White, and a special Silver Chrome Edition. The Black model has a textured back for better grip, while the White version features an etched surface. Both use CNC-crafted aluminum frames and Xiaomi’s Shield Glass 2.0, which claims 16 times better drop resistance.
The Silver Chrome Edition, however, is the standout. It uses aerospace-grade glass fiber and PU leather, giving it a premium, camera-like feel. It’s slightly heavier (229g vs. 226g) and thicker (9.48mm vs. 9.35mm) than the other models, but it’s a small trade-off for the unique design.
Cameras
The camera system is where the Xiaomi 15 Ultra truly shines. It keeps the Leica-tuned quad-camera setup but with some notable changes:
- Main Camera: A 50MP Sony LYT-900 sensor with a fixed f/1.63 aperture (23mm lens).
- Mid Telephoto: A 70mm f/1.8 lens with a 1/2.51-inch IMX858 sensor.
- Ultrawide: A 14mm f/2.2 lens with a 1/2.51-inch Samsung JN5 sensor.
- Long Telephoto: The star of the show—a 100mm f/2.6 lens with a 200MP Samsung HP9 sensor. Xiaomi claims this sensor captures 136% more light than its predecessor.
The front-facing camera is a 32MP sensor with a 21mm f/2.0 lens, capable of capturing sharp selfies. All rear cameras can shoot 8K video at 30fps, while the main and telephoto cameras can handle 4K at 120fps.
Software and Updates
The phone runs Android 15 with Xiaomi’s HyperOS 2 on top. It introduces new features like AI writing, meeting transcriptions, and translations. Xiaomi promises 4 generations of Android updates and 6 years of security patches, which is great for long-term usability.
Pricing and Availability
The Xiaomi 15 Ultra is launching in China today with the following prices:
- 12/256GB: CNY 6,499 (~$895)
- 16/512GB: CNY 6,999 (~$960)
- 16/1TB: CNY 7,799 (~$1,070)
A Professional Imaging Kit accessory is also available for CNY 999 (~$140). Global availability is expected soon.
Final Thoughts
The Xiaomi 15 Ultra is a powerhouse that builds on the strengths of its predecessor. With a better chipset, improved battery, and a standout camera system, it’s a strong contender in the premium smartphone market. If you’re looking for a phone that balances performance, design, and photography, this one’s worth considering.
