Xiaomi 15 Ultra Review
This piece examines the Xiaomi 15 Ultra flagship camera phone by examining both its desktop and mobile features as well as its performance capabilities.
Table of Contents
Is the Xiaomi 15 Ultra Worth the Price?
Photography and camera enthusiast users will appreciate the Xiaomi 15 Ultra that combines its Leica lens system with outstanding picture quality. The exceptional camera capabilities together with its exceptional battery longevity alongside quick charging capabilities establish it as a photographic flagship leader. Users who purchase the device will encounter Snapdragon 8 Elite heat issues under heavy use and should be aware of Xiaomi's AI and software management.
Specifications
| 6.73" LTPO AMOLED, 68B colors, 120Hz Adaptive (1-120Hz), 1440 x 3200 pixels, 522 ppi, 3200 nits peak brightness, Xiaomi Shield Glass 2.0, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HDR Vivid | |
| Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite (3 nm), Octa-core CPU (2x 4.32 GHz Oryon Phoenix L + 6x 3.53 GHz Oryon Phoenix M), Adreno 830 GPU | |
| 12GB/16GB RAM LPDDR5X, 5333 MHz | |
| 256GB/512GB/1TB UFS 4.1, No Card Slot | |
| Quad Leica Camera System: 50MP Wide (f/1.6, 23mm, 1.0"-type, OIS) + 50MP Telephoto (f/1.8, 70mm, 3x Optical Zoom, OIS) + 200MP Periscope Telephoto (f/2.6, 100mm, 4.3x Optical Zoom, OIS) + 50MP Ultrawide (f/2.2, 14mm, 115˚, PDAF), TOF 3D Depth Sensor | |
| 32MP (f/2.0, 21mm), 4K Video @ 60fps | |
| 5410 mAh (Global) / 6000 mAh (China) Si/C Li-Ion, 90W Wired Charging, 80W Wireless Charging, 10W Reverse Wireless Charging | |
| Android 15, HyperOS 2 | |
| 161.3 x 75.3 x 9.4 mm, 226g or 229g | |
| IP68 Dust/Water Resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) | |
| Stereo Speakers, Hi-Res Audio, Hi-Res Wireless Audio, Qualcomm XPAN Audio, Dolby Atmos | |
| Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6.0, GPS (L1+L5 Dual-Band), NFC, Infrared Port, USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 2, Two-way satellite communication | |
| Ultrasonic Fingerprint (Under Display), Accelerometer, Gyro, Proximity, Compass, Barometer | |
| Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM, eSIM |
Performance
The Xiaomi 15 Ultra operates using the state-of-the-art Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset which creates superior performance for users who demand high-level results. The Snapdragon 8 Elite shows heat generation when facing intensive usage because benchmark results demonstrate good performance and routine operations remain fluid according to stress testing reports. The normal gaming performance levels of the Xiaomi 15 Ultra stay intact but users should know about its temperature concerns that enhance risk in hot climates or intensive gameplay sessions. Despite its octa-core configuration and Adreno 830 GPU sophistication the overheating problem reduces the final performance mark slightly.
Display
The Xiaomi 15 Ultra displays its 6.73-inch LTPO AMLED screen which can reproduce 68 billion colors for an outstanding visual experience. The screen achieves superior view quality through its QHD+ resolution setting (1440 x 3200 pixels) at 522 ppi pixel density. In addition to normal operation the adaptive 120Hz refresh rate (1-120Hz) gives the user an extremely fluid visual experience. Excellent HDR performance and outdoor visibility become possible through the display owing to its combination of 3200 nits peak brightness and Dolby Vision support alongside HDR10+ and HDR Vivid functionality. Xiaomi Shield Glass 2.0 protects the display which provides both high durability and visual excellence.
Camera
The camera system of the Xiaomi 15 Ultra is arguably its most compelling feature, positioning it as a leading camera phone in the market. Co-engineered with Leica, the quad-camera setup includes a 50MP 1-inch type main sensor, a 50MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom, a groundbreaking 200MP periscope telephoto lens with 4.3x optical zoom, and a 50MP ultrawide lens. The system excels in dynamic range, noise control, and white balance across all lenses, with the main and 3x telephoto cameras demonstrating particular strength in challenging lighting. Leica color profiles and a suite of filters provide creative flexibility, allowing users to capture photos with "emotive color palettes" and "tasty natural bokeh" reminiscent of mirrorless cameras. While the ultrawide lens is comparatively weaker in low light, the overall camera performance is exceptional, making the Xiaomi 15 Ultra a top choice for mobile photography enthusiasts seeking DSLR-like capabilities in their pocket.
Battery Life
Extensive battery duration stands as one of the key advantages of the Xiaomi 15 Ultra. Under normal usage the phone operates for two days with its 5410mAh (Global) or 6000mAh (China) silicon-carbon battery alongside its Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset which delivers quick and efficient power-ups. Reverse wireless charging at 10W and 80W wireless charging along with 90W wired charging make fast charging a prominent attribute of the Xiaomi 15 Ultra. Although achieving a full charge takes a bit longer than its original version did, quick recharges happen rapidly and multiple chargers from different manufacturers work with the phone allowing users to resume their activities quickly.
Design and Build Quality
The Xiaomi 15 Ultra exists as a premium phone built for durability. This phone builds its frame from aerospace-grade glass fiber combined with aluminum for both strength and luxury in hand. A protective shield named Xiaomi Shield Glass 2.0 protects the display from scratches and physical impacts. The IP68 rating establishes the phone as one of the most resistant to dust and water which provides security from outdoor hazards. Customers have four color options when choosing the Xiaomi 15 Ultra including Black, White, Silver Chrome and Green. The slightly heavy weight of this device does not diminish the exceptional flagship standards of its construction quality and refined design elements.
OS & Software
The Xiaomi 15 Ultra features Android 15 operating system yet runs with Xiaomi's HyperOS 2. Users who use Xiaomi's HyperOS 2 encounter both the most recent Android foundation together with Xiaomi's exclusive interface but they will also discover preinstalled bloatware alongside "overengineered apps" that are known to be typical in Xiaomi software. The AI functionality named HyperAI exists as "questionable" features which deliver basic performance because they fail to function offline and lack user-friendliness during object removal. The software promises from Xiaomi about four major Android OS patches and six years of security updates fail to match the superior hardware capabilities of the device.
Audio
Xiaomi 15 Ultra comes with dual speakers that create high-quality audio output. This phone supports Hi-Res Audio formats at 24-bit/192kHz resolution together with Hi-Res Wireless Audio and Qualcomm XPAN Audio that deliver crisp and detailed audio quality which appeals to audio enthusiasts. Relative to other devices the Dolby Atmos system produces superior audio immersion especially when watching videos. The phone supports Bluetooth 6.0 which enables high-quality wireless audio streaming through advanced audio codecs. The absence of a 3.5mm headphone jack aside the LG V50 puts its complete audio performance in a good place for every type of listener from audiophiles to casual users.
Connectivity
The strong connectivity features of Xiaomi 15 Ultra include all the current standards of wireless and cellular technologies. The device implements Wi-Fi 7 connectivity for peak wireless speeds together with Bluetooth 6.0 connections that are both efficient and robust and 5G cellular connectivity. The device benefits from better Wi-Fi capabilities and dual-band GPS systems for improved location detection as well as network quality enhancement. The device gains extra convenience through its NFC capability alongside its infrared port. The device includes a USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 2 port with DisplayPort functionality that promotes swift data movements and displays. This mobile device incorporates two-way satellite communication that enables uninterrupted connectivity in regions without wireless network availability thus providing enhanced utility for traveled persons.
Benchmark Results
The benchmark results of the Xiaomi 15 Ultra demonstrate flagship capabilities but they show minor fluctuations depending on test environment conditions. The device scores highly in major benchmarks of assessments which positions it as one of the premier smartphone choices available in the market. The Xiaomi 15 Ultra shows its powerful capabilities through established scores from AnTuTu and Geekbench tests which were both mentioned in the provided articles.
| Benchmark | Score/Level |
|---|---|
| AnTuTu 10 | 2,742,399 |
| Geekbench 6 (Single-Core) | 3008 |
| Geekbench 6 (Multi-Core) | 9065 |
| 3DMark Wild Life Performance | N/A (Expected High) |
| PCMark 3.0 | N/A (Expected High) |
| Overall Performance Score | 95/100 |
| Gaming Score | 98/100 |
| Camera Score (Est.) | 98/100 |
| Battery Score (Est.) | 93/100 |
| Connectivity Score | 95/100 |
XIAOMI 15 ULTRA VS. COMPETITORS
Selecting a smartphone from the flagship range proves to be difficult. Users can evaluate the Xiaomi 15 Ultra through an informative contrast with its main market competitors: Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra and iPhone 16 Pro Max
| Feature | Xiaomi 15 Ultra | S. Galaxy S25 Ultra | iPhone 16 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|---|
| February 2025 | January 2025 | September 2024 | |
| ~1500 EUR | $1299 | $1199 | |
| 6.73" LTPO AMOLED | 6.9" Dynamic AMOLED | 6.9" OLED | |
| 3200 nits | 2600 nits | 2000 nits (Rated), 1784 nits (Tested Auto) | |
| 120Hz Adaptive | 120Hz Adaptive | 120Hz Adaptive | |
| Snapdragon 8 Elite | Snapdragon 8 Elite | Apple A18 Pro | |
| 12GB/16GB | 12GB/16GB | 8GB | |
| 50MP (1-inch type) Leica | 200MP | 48MP | |
| 4.3x Optical (200MP Periscope) & 3x Optical (50MP) | 5x Optical & 3x Optical (12MP) | 5x Optical | |
| 50MP | 50MP | 48MP | |
| 5410 mAh / 6000 mAh (China) | 5000 mAh | 4685 mAh | |
| 90W | 45W | 30W | |
| Android 15, HyperOS 2 | Android 15, One UI 7.0 | iOS 18 | |
| Aluminum | Titanium | Metal | |
| IP68 | IP68 | IP68 | |
| 2,742,399 | 2,758,993 | 1,733,863 | |
| 3008 | 3147 | 3564 | |
| 9065 | 9750 | 8880 | |
| 94/100 | 95/100 | 94/100 |
XIAOMI 15 ULTRA SCORE
Pros
- Unrivaled Camera System with Leica Lenses (Camera Score: 9.8/10)
- Exceptional Battery Life and Fast Universal Charging (Battery Score: 9.5/10)
- Vibrant LTPO AMOLED Display with 3200 nits Peak Brightness (Brightness Score: 9.7/10)
- Premium and Durable Build with IP68 Resistance
- Solid Software Update Policy
Cons
- Snapdragon 8 Elite Overheating Under Load (Performance Score: 8.5/10)
- Questionable and Limited AI Features (User Interface Score: 8.0/10)
- HyperOS Bloatware
- Higher Price Point
Final Verdict
Should You Buy It?
Mobile photographers will find the Xiaomi 15 Ultra to be their ultimate flagship device. You will find an amazingly excellent camera system thanks to Leica co-engineering that provides dedicated camera-level image quality with extraordinary battery performance and quick charging capabilities. Users who purchase the Xiaomi 15 Ultra need to know about the chipset overheating when it faces excessive strain. Xiaomi's HyperOS 2 runs on the most recent Android platform yet provides standard Xiaomi software features along with unimpactful AI tools and some extra software packages. Due to its price of 1500 EUR the Xiaomi 15 Ultra targets the upper-tier segment within the flagship category. This device provides an exceptional camera performance alongside premium mobile capabilities so photography enthusiasts should buy it while peak performance over time and heavy AI features might make users reconsider.