Xiaomi 15 Ultra Hands-On

The Xiaomi 15 Ultra is here, and it’s already one of the most talked-about smartphones of the year. Not because of its specs—those are top-tier—but because of its, let’s say, unique design. While some call it bold and futuristic, others find it outright ugly. But if you can look past the aesthetics, does the camera justify the hype? Let’s find out in this in-depth hands-on review.

First Impressions: A Love-It-or-Hate-It Design

A Bold Yet Divisive Look

The first thing you’ll notice about the Xiaomi 15 Ultra is its massive camera module. It takes up a good chunk of the back, making it look more like a professional camera than a smartphone. While some may appreciate its unapologetic focus on photography, others might find it awkwardly bulky.

Build Quality and Materials

Despite the polarizing design, the build quality is excellent. Xiaomi has used premium materials, including an aluminum frame and a ceramic or leather-like back, depending on the variant. The phone feels solid, but its weight is noticeable.

Display: A Visual Feast

Screen Size and Resolution

The Xiaomi 15 Ultra sports a 6.8-inch AMOLED panel with a crisp 2K resolution. Colors are vibrant, and details are razor-sharp, making it a treat for media consumption.

Refresh Rate and Brightness

With a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate, scrolling feels buttery smooth. Outdoor visibility is excellent, thanks to a peak brightness of 2500 nits, making it one of the brightest smartphone displays available.

Performance: Powerhouse Under the Hood

Processor and RAM

Under the hood, the Xiaomi 15 Ultra is powered by the latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, paired with up to 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM. Performance is nothing short of stellar.

Gaming and Multitasking Experience

Gaming is a breeze, thanks to the Adreno GPU, and multitasking is seamless. Whether you’re playing graphically demanding games or running multiple apps simultaneously, the phone handles everything effortlessly.

The Star of the Show: Camera System

Primary Sensor and Image Quality

The Xiaomi 15 Ultra features a massive 1-inch 50MP main sensor with Leica tuning. The result? Stunning photos with incredible dynamic range and natural color reproduction.

Ultra-Wide and Telephoto Lenses

Alongside the primary sensor, the device packs a 50MP ultra-wide lens and two telephoto lenses (3x and 10x optical zoom). This setup ensures versatility, whether you’re capturing landscapes or zooming in on distant subjects.

Low-Light Performance and Night Mode

Night photography is where this phone truly shines. The advanced sensor combined with AI enhancements produces bright, detailed images even in near-total darkness.

Video Recording Capabilities

Capable of shooting 8K at 30fps and 4K at 120fps, the Xiaomi 15 Ultra is a filmmaker’s dream. It also supports advanced stabilization and cinematic modes for professional-grade video recording.

Battery Life and Charging

Endurance Test

Packing a 5,000mAh battery, the Xiaomi 15 Ultra lasts a full day with ease, even under heavy use. Power users might need a quick top-up in the evening, but overall, battery life is solid.

Charging Speed

With 120W fast charging, the phone goes from 0 to 100% in under 25 minutes. It also supports 50W wireless charging, making it one of the fastest-charging flagship phones on the market.

Software Experience

MIUI Features

Running on MIUI 15 based on Android 14, the Xiaomi 15 Ultra offers plenty of customization options. The interface is smooth, though it may take some getting used to for those unfamiliar with MIUI.

Bloatware and Customization

While Xiaomi has reduced bloatware, some pre-installed apps still clutter the experience. Thankfully, most of them can be uninstalled or disabled.

Connectivity and Extra Features

5G, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth Performance

The device supports all major 5G bands, along with Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.3, ensuring fast and stable connectivity.

Audio and Speaker Quality

Stereo speakers tuned by Harman Kardon provide immersive audio, but bass lovers might find them a bit lacking. There’s no headphone jack, which is expected in modern flagships.

Final Verdict: Beauty vs. Beast

Pros and Cons

Pros:

Exceptional camera performance

Stunning 2K AMOLED display

Flagship-level performance

Blazing-fast charging

Strong battery life

Cons:

Bulky and heavy design

No headphone jack

MIUI bloatware

Who Should Buy the Xiaomi 15 Ultra?

If you’re a photography enthusiast who values camera performance above all else, the Xiaomi 15 Ultra is a dream come true. But if design and ergonomics matter to you, you might want to consider alternatives.

Conclusion

The Xiaomi 15 Ultra is a classic case of function over form. It’s not the prettiest phone on the market, but its camera capabilities make it one of the best smartphones for photography and videography. If you can overlook the divisive design, you’re getting a powerhouse of a phone.

FAQs

1. Is the Xiaomi 15 Ultra waterproof?

Yes, it comes with an IP68 rating, making it dust and water-resistant.

2. Does the Xiaomi 15 Ultra support wireless charging?

Yes, it supports up to 50W wireless charging.

3. Can I remove MIUI bloatware?

Most pre-installed apps can be uninstalled or disabled.

4. How does the Xiaomi 15 Ultra compare to the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra?

While both offer excellent cameras, the Xiaomi 15 Ultra provides better low-light performance, whereas the S24 Ultra has a more refined design.

5. Is the Xiaomi 15 Ultra worth upgrading to?

If you prioritize photography, absolutely. If you want a sleek and lightweight phone, you might want to explore other options.