Xiaomi’s Ultra series has always been about pushing boundaries — and the Xiaomi 15 Ultra is no exception. With Leica-enhanced cameras, the powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 chipset, and a sleek, refreshed design, Xiaomi is making a bold statement in the 2025 flagship race.
Here’s our in-depth Xiaomi 15 Ultra review after two weeks of real-world testing.
Design & Display — Sleek, Premium, and Ergonomic
The Xiaomi 15 Ultra refines last year’s formula with a curved vegan leather back and a ceramic frame that oozes luxury.
It’s surprisingly slim for a phone packing this much power, weighing just 221g.
The display is world-class:
- 6.73-inch WQHD+ AMOLED LTPO
- Adaptive 120Hz refresh rate
- Peak brightness: 3,000 nits (one of the brightest displays ever)
Bezels are razor-thin, and haptics feel tight and precise — a joy to use daily.
Performance — Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 at Its Finest
At its core, the Xiaomi 15 Ultra is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4, backed by:
- 12GB or 16GB LPDDR5X RAM
- UFS 4.1 storage (256GB, 512GB, 1TB)
Whether it’s Genshin Impact on max settings or editing RAW photos, the phone barely breaks a sweat.
HyperOS, Xiaomi’s new Android 15-based software, feels lighter and cleaner than MIUI ever did — and AI features like AI Image Expansion and AI Call Summarization are genuinely useful.
Cameras — The Star of the Show
The Xiaomi 15 Ultra boasts a quad 50MP camera array, all tuned by Leica:
| Camera | Specs | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Main | 50MP f/1.6-f/4.0 variable | Sony LYT-900 1-inch sensor |
| Ultra-wide | 50MP | Leica optics, sharp corners |
| Telephoto 1 | 50MP 3.2x | Crisp portraits |
| Telephoto 2 | 50MP 5x periscope | Incredible zoom clarity |
Key camera features:
- 14-bit RAW support
- Leica Vibrant & Authentic modes
- 4K 120fps video recording
- AI-assisted night photography
Low-light shots are astonishing, and zoom retains sharpness even at 30x. Simply put — this is one of the best smartphone cameras today.
For an in-depth camera comparison, check out GSMArena’s Xiaomi 15 Ultra Camera Review
Battery & Charging — Big and Fast
- 5,300mAh battery
- 90W wired charging (0-100% in ~25 mins)
- 50W wireless charging
- 10W reverse wireless charging
With AI-driven battery optimization, it easily lasts 1.5–2 days for most users.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Best-in-class camera system
- Stunning, bright display
- Top-tier performance
- Clean HyperOS experience
- Fast charging
Cons:
– Premium price (~\$1,199 starting)
– No official IP68 rating (IP68 equivalent but not certified globally)
– Availability limited outside China initially
Final Verdict — Should You Buy the Xiaomi 15 Ultra?
If your top priority is photography and flagship-grade performance, the Xiaomi 15 Ultra is arguably the best smartphone of 2025 — especially for camera enthusiasts.
It competes head-to-head with Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Ultra, and in some cases, it edges ahead in photo quality and battery life.
If you can get your hands on it (and afford it), the Xiaomi 15 Ultra is an absolute powerhouse.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1. Is the Xiaomi 15 Ultra waterproof?
The phone has IP68-equivalent protection (water and dust resistant), but official global certification may vary. Always check your region’s model specs.
Q2. Does the Xiaomi 15 Ultra support expandable storage?
No — like many flagships, it lacks microSD card support. Choose higher internal storage variants if needed.
Q3. Is HyperOS better than MIUI?
Yes — HyperOS feels lighter, cleaner, and fas