Xiaomi 15 Ultra Review: Falling in Love with Mobile Photography

Xiaomi has emerged as a major player in the smartphone world, now ranking third globally in smartphone sales. The company’s Ultra series represents its highest-end flagship phones, showcasing the best of what Xiaomi can offer. Following its Chinese debut, the latest Ultra model made its global appearance at the Mobile World Congress this year, alongside the standard Xiaomi 15 and several other new devices that demonstrate the company’s growing range of products.

Following in the footsteps of earlier Ultra phones, the Xiaomi 15 Ultra aims to be more than just another flagship device. It’s designed to appeal to anyone who takes their phone photography seriously, from casual shooters to professional photographers. But with a premium price tag and bold promises, does it deliver the experience users expect? Let’s explore what makes this phone special and whether it’s worth your attention.

Designer: Xiaomi

Aesthetics

Xiaomi’s Ultra series has always been deeply centered around photography, and the design leaves no doubt about that from the very first glance. It’s immediately clear that this phone is built to deliver an outstanding camera experience. And what better way to say that than with a design that, depending on the color variant, looks almost like a traditional digital camera?

The large, circular camera module takes center stage, housing a sophisticated quad-camera setup. This includes a telephoto camera, an ultra-wide camera, and the main camera, all positioned vertically. Next to them, you’ll find the Leica branding and a periscope telephoto camera, also arranged in a vertical row, with an LED flash placed on the left edge of the camera island.

The Xiaomi 15 Ultra maintains the familiar design language of the Ultra series, with subtle refinements that give it a fresh, distinct personality. The global version of the phone is available in three color options: Black, White, and Silver Chrome.

Both the black and white variants feature a matte finish with a captivating texture. The black model showcases a sandblasted surface that seamlessly blends the camera module with the body in a sleek, stealthy manner, accented by a striking red ring around the camera module. In contrast, the white variant highlights the bold juxtaposition between the black camera module and the white body, while boasting a sophisticated hairline-patterned design that adds an extra touch of elegance to its polished appearance.

However, for those with a deep appreciation for Leica cameras, the Silver Chrome variant stands out as the ultimate choice. Inspired by the iconic Leica M series, this variant combines the timeless appeal of silver chrome with the luxurious feel of Lychee leather. The Ultra logo, which echoes the font of Xiaomi’s EV SU 7 Ultra logo, is positioned above the right-hand side of the camera module.

Ergonomics

The Xiaomi 15 Ultra measures 161.3mm x 75.3mm x 9.35mm for the Black and White variants, and 161.3mm x 75.3mm x 9.48mm for the Silver Chrome variant. The Black and White models weigh 226g, while the Silver Chrome variant is slightly heavier at 229g. Despite the large camera module making the device top-heavy, it remains surprisingly comfortable to hold one-handed, thanks to the improved weight distribution.

The quad-curve display gently curves on all four sides, seamlessly blending the front glass with the aluminum frame to enhance comfort. The sides are mostly flat with a subtle bevel on the back, which further improves grip. Additionally, the fingerprint sensor is positioned at a convenient height, allowing for easy unlocking without the need to shift your hand.

For photography enthusiasts, Xiaomi offers an optional Photography Kit that adds extra grip and camera controls. This accessory transforms the phone into something closer to a traditional camera experience, though it’s worth noting this comes at an additional cost. That might be an acceptable expense, though, as it really gives the phone a makeover.

Performance

The quad-camera system on the Xiaomi 15 Ultra brings mostly incremental improvements over its predecessor, with the highlight being the new 200 MP 4.3x periscope telephoto camera. All four cameras are equipped with Leica Summilux-branded lenses and Leica Ultra-Low Reflection optical glass, which reduces light reflection by 1.5% and boosts drop resistance by 77% compared to the 14 Ultra.

The 50 MP main camera with an f/1.62 aperture and OIS comes a 1-inch Sony LYT-900 sensor. It is largely unchanged from its predecessor except that it sadly no longer has a variable aperture. Despite this, the photos from the Xiaomi 15 Ultra’s main camera are still rich in detail, with vibrant colors and excellent dynamic range across various conditions. Thanks to the large sensor, it also offers a naturally shallow depth of field, capturing images with beautiful background blur.

The 50 MP telephoto camera, powered by the Sony IMX858 sensor with an f/1.8 lens, delivers exceptional detail and vibrant colors. Meanwhile, the 200 MP periscope telephoto camera, featuring a 1/1.4-inch Samsung HP9 image sensor and an f/2.6 aperture, captures impressively sharp and detailed images. Both telephoto lenses are capable of capturing impressive macro shots, showcasing their versatility.

The 50 MP ultrawide camera, with an f/2.2 aperture and a 1/2.75-inch sensor, rounds out the quad-camera setup. Although it’s a slight downgrade from its predecessor, it still provides solid performance. The front camera, a 32 MP shooter with an f/2.0 aperture and a 90-degree field of view, ensures clear, detailed selfies.

One notable strength of the Xiaomi 15 Ultra’s camera system is its cohesion. Despite having four different lenses, the overall image output feels unified. Whether capturing macro shots or telephoto details, the system delivers consistent, high-quality results.

In addition to the Leica Vibrant and Leica Authentic modes, Xiaomi offers a variety of filters with adjustable intensity, allowing you to effortlessly customize photos and videos to your preference on the fly. One of my personal favorites is the Leica Black & White filter, which delivers a classic, timeless feel with rich contrasts and stunning detail.

The Xiaomi 15 Ultra excels as a video camera, capturing natural, low-noise footage with remarkable detail. All four rear cameras are capable of recording video up to 8K at 30 fps, while also supporting 4K at 60 fps with Log video recording and Dolby Vision at 4K at 60 fps. However, the main camera does not support 4K at 120 fps with Log video recording.

The 4-microphone array effectively reduces noise, ensuring clear audio. Image stabilization performs admirably, and in particularly shaky scenarios, the ultra image stabilization feature significantly minimizes shake—though it limits video recording to 2.8K at 30 fps.

The Photography Kit, sold separately, truly enhances your experience with the phone. It’s surprising how a relatively simple grip with camera controls, which also doubles as a 2,000 mAh power bank, can elevate the phone’s camera performance to a whole new level. However, attaching the Photography Kit to the phone can make non-photo-related use less comfortable.

The Xiaomi 15 Ultra retains a similar AMOLED display to its predecessor, featuring a 6.72-inch panel with a resolution of 3200 x 1440 pixels and 552 ppi. The display supports an adaptive refresh rate of 1-120 Hz, adjusting based on the content on the screen. With a peak brightness of 3200 nits, it ensures excellent visibility even under direct sunlight. The display is sharp and vibrant, while Xiaomi’s Shield Glass 2.0 offers enhanced durability, providing 16x better drop resistance.

Equipped with Qualcomm’s latest flagship Snapdragon 8 Gen Elite, 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM, and 512GB of UFS 4.1 storage, the Xiaomi 15 Ultra handles demanding tasks like video editing and graphics-intensive gaming effortlessly. Xiaomi’s 3D Dual-Channel IceLoop cooling system ensures the device stays cool under pressure. Running on Android 15 with HyperOS 2, it offers a range of AI-powered features and Xiaomi HyperConnect for seamless cross-device connectivity.

The 5,410 mAh silicon battery may not be the largest in its class, but it easily lasts through a full day of normal use. However, if you’re using the camera extensively, you’ll likely need to recharge at some point during the day. Fortunately, Xiaomi continues to offer fast 90W wired charging and 80W wireless charging for the latest Ultra model.

Sustainability

Environmental impact matters today more than ever, and the longevity and repairability of our devices have become important considerations. Given the large role it plays in the global smartphone market, we expect Xiaomi to have a stronger sustainability strategy in place. The Xiaomi 15 Ultra addresses these concerns in several ways, though there’s still room for improvement.

The Xiaomi 15 Ultra is designed with durability in mind, featuring an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance, ensuring it stands up to everyday wear and tear. The device’s outer lens is upgraded to the highly durable Corning Gorilla Glass 7i, while Xiaomi Shield Glass 2.0 on the display provides enhanced drop resistance. This combination of protective features helps extend the phone’s lifespan, reducing the need for frequent replacements and minimizing electronic waste.

When it comes to software longevity, Xiaomi provides four major Android updates and six years of security patches. While this level of support is solid, it does not quite match the extended software and security commitments made by companies like Google and Samsung. Nevertheless, it ensures that the Xiaomi 15 Ultra will remain secure and functional for several years, promoting longer device usage and contributing to sustainability by reducing the need for constant upgrades.

One area where Xiaomi could improve is in the use of sustainable materials. Unlike some competitors who have begun incorporating recycled materials into their phones, Xiaomi doesn’t make any specific claims about using environmentally friendly components in the 15 Ultra. This might be a consideration for environmentally conscious buyers.

Value

Flagship smartphones come at a premium price, and the Xiaomi 15 Ultra is no exception, starting at £1499 (roughly $1,885). However, considering the performance, camera technology, and overall design, it offers strong value for those looking for top-tier specifications.

The phone’s strongest selling point is its camera system, which rivals or exceeds what you’ll find in other flagship phones. For photography enthusiasts, this could mean carrying one device instead of both a phone and a separate camera, potentially justifying the investment. The Leica partnership adds real value here, bringing genuine camera expertise to the phone’s imaging capabilities.

Whether the Xiaomi 15 Ultra represents good value depends largely on how you plan to use it. If you’re primarily interested in the camera’s capabilities and will make full use of its advanced features, the price is easier to justify. For users seeking a premium phone without specific photography needs, there might be more cost-effective options available.

Verdict

The Xiaomi 15 Ultra pushes the boundaries of what a flagship phone can offer. With its stunning display, versatile camera system, and premium build quality, it provides an all-encompassing experience that caters to demanding users. While it may not match the long-term software support of Google or Samsung, its blend of performance, design, and camera technology positions it as an attractive choice for those looking for a high-performance device. If you’re willing to invest in a cutting-edge smartphone, the Xiaomi 15 Ultra is a solid contender that doesn’t disappoint.

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