The Xiaomi 15 is a refreshing return to compact flagship design, offering top-tier hardware in a size that doesn’t demand two hands. With a sharp 6.36-inch OLED display, Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (Elite Edition), and Leica-enhanced cameras, Xiaomi is positioning this phone as a serious rival to the iPhone 16 and Samsung Galaxy S25.
Xiaomi 15 Review
So, I’ve been using the Xiaomi 15 for the past few weeks, and if you’re tired of holding a chappal-sized phone all the time, this one’s a breath of fresh air. It’s compact, crazy fast, and looks sleek as hell—but not without a few chinks in the armor.
Xiaomi 15 Design & Display
If you’ve been waiting for a high-end Android phone that doesn’t feel like a tablet in your hand, the Xiaomi 15 delivers. At just 190g and 8.1mm thick, it’s comfortably lightweight and perfect for one-handed use.
The 6.36-inch flat OLED panel offers a vibrant and sharp viewing experience. With a 120Hz refresh rate and 3,200 nits of peak brightness, it remains legible in direct sunlight and silky smooth in daily use. Bezels are minimal, and the build quality—IP68 certified—is rock-solid.
While the design isn’t groundbreaking, Xiaomi offers the 15 in clean, classy finishes like black, white, green, and silver.
Xiaomi 15 Performance
Under the hood, the Xiaomi 15 is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 Elite, paired with either 12GB or 16GB of RAM. In real-world use, everything from multitasking to high-end gaming (like Genshin’s Impact) runs flawlessly. App launches are snappy, animations are fluid, and there’s virtually no stutter anywhere.
That said, the phone can get noticeably warm under heavy loads—particularly during extended gaming sessions or 4K video recording. Thermal throttling is minimal, but gamers may want to keep this in mind.
Xiaomi 15 Cameras
Xiaomi’s partnership with Leica once again pays off—at least partially. The phone features a trio of 50MP sensors covering the main, ultrawide, and 2.6x telephoto lenses.
- The main sensor delivers rich colors, sharp detail, and excellent dynamic range in daylight.
- The telephoto lens impresses for portrait work and close-up shots, though it struggles a bit in dim light.
- The ultrawide sensor is the weakest of the three, producing soft corners and flatter colors compared to its rivals.
Night mode performance is solid but doesn’t quite match the low-light prowess of competitors like the Pixel 8 Pro or Vivo X200 Pro.
However, if you enjoy creative photography, Leica filters (especially the signature monochrome modes) offer a unique, artistic twist.
Xiaomi 15 Battery & Charging
The 5,240 mAh battery consistently lasts a full day, even with mixed usage that includes gaming, photography, and streaming. We regularly got 6–7 hours of screen-on time.
Charging is a standout feature:
- 90W wired charging brings it to 100% in about 35 minutes.
- 50W wireless charging is also faster than most competitors.
One downside: no charger is included in the European box, which adds to the cost.
Xiaomi 15 Software
The Xiaomi 15 ships with Android 15 running Xiaomi’s new HyperOS 2.0 skin. The UI feels modern and responsive, with plenty of customization options. However, it still includes pre-installed apps like Mi Browser and GetApps, which can’t be fully removed—a frustrating oversight.
On the bright side, Xiaomi is promising 4 years of Android updates and 6 years of security patches, which is respectable (though it lags behind Samsung’s 7-year policy).
Xiaomi 15 Price and Availability
Here’s where things get tricky. In Europe, the Xiaomi 15 is priced at €999 (~$1,092), putting it in direct competition with the iPhone 16, Galaxy S25, and Vivo X200 Pro. In Asian markets, however, the phone is significantly cheaper (~₹58,000), making it a much better value.
Not officially sold in the U.S., but imports start around $800.
Xiaomi 15 vs iPhone 16: Which One Wins?
| Feature | Xiaomi 15 | iPhone 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 Elite (Faster in benchmarks) | A18 Bionic |
| Camera | More manual controls, Leica modes | Better auto mode & consistency |
| Battery Life | Longer-lasting, faster charging | More efficient |
| Software | More customization | Smoother, cleaner iOS |
Should You Buy the Xiaomi 15?
Buy it if:
- You want a compact flagship with top-tier performance.
- You’re a creative photographer who likes manual control.
- You live in Asia (where pricing is more competitive).
Skip it if:
- You need best-in-class low-light photography.
- You dislike software bloat and prefer a cleaner UI.
For Serious Photographers: Xiaomi 15 Ultra
If photography is your main focus, consider the Xiaomi 15 Ultra. It upgrades to a 200MP periscope camera and larger sensors, offering a pro-level shooting experience. However, it drops the variable aperture from last year and starts at a steep £1,299.
Final Verdict From Us
The Xiaomi 15 proves that a compact phone doesn’t have to sacrifice power or premium features. With excellent performance, a vibrant display, solid battery life, and Leica-enhanced cameras, it hits many of the right notes.
However, the high European price, bloatware, and average ultrawide camera hold it back from being a clear-cut winner. Still, for fans of compact Android phones, the Xiaomi 15 is one of the best options out there right now—just not a flawless one.
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