Xiaomi 15 Ultra: A Distinctive Look
he Xiaomi 15 Ultra is available in three colors: white, black, and chrome. I tested the white version, which offers an elegant and understated finish. The chrome version is reminiscent of older Leica cameras, but it’s not my favorite.
In hand, the phone feels nice, although its prominent camera module slightly alters the weight balance. With dimensions of 161.3 mm in height, 75.3 mm in width, and a thickness of 9.35 mm, it remains imposing. Its weight of 226 g is noticeable, but justified by the embedded technologies.
The flat edges with slightly beveled corners improve grip. Unlike the Galaxy S25 Ultra, the Xiaomi 15 Ultra is more comfortable without a case, which is a plus.
Box Contents: Xiaomi Does the Minimum
The packaging of the Xiaomi 15 Ultra is substantial. Inside, you’ll find:
- The smartphone,
- A basic protective case,
- A USB-C cable,
- A 3M adhesive accessory for better grip.
Nothing revolutionary, but Xiaomi at least includes a case, which is appreciated.
A Superb but Imperfectible Screen
The screen of the Xiaomi 15 Ultra is a 6.73-inch AMOLED with Quad HD resolution and an adaptive refresh rate of 1 to 120 Hz. The brightness reaches 3200 nits, ensuring impeccable readability even in direct sunlight.
During my first use, the colors seemed dull. After a few adjustments, especially by activating the “Vivid” mode, the display became much more pleasant. This small adjustment is essential to fully enjoy the screen.
Xiaomi 15 Ultra: A Powerhouse
The Xiaomi 15 Ultra features the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 Elite, one of the most powerful processors currently available. I didn’t notice any slowdowns, even during intensive multitasking. However, one issue appeared: Google News wasn’t displaying correctly. A software bug? To be verified with future updates.
Regarding battery life, it’s still too early to judge. The 5410 mAh battery with 90 W fast charging and 80 W wireless charging promises excellent endurance. I’ll test this over several days to see if it truly lives up to its promises.
Photography: A Powerful but Mixed-Bag Sensor
The Xiaomi 15 Ultra focuses heavily on photography with impressive equipment:
- Leica main sensor of 50 MP (23 mm),
- Leica telephoto lens of 200 MP (100 mm),
- Leica floating telephoto lens of 50 MP (70 mm),
- Ultra-wide-angle of 50 MP,
- x120 digital zoom,
- 32 MP selfie camera.
In normal conditions, the shots are excellent, rich in detail and well-exposed. I activated the Leica Authentic mode, which offers natural and balanced colorimetry. Compared to the Samsung S25 Ultra, the Xiaomi performs well, but the x10 zoom is less effective. On the other hand, from the x80 zoom onwards, Xiaomi takes the lead with sharper images.
Video Experience: Very High Level
The Xiaomi 15 Ultra allows recording in 8K at 30 fps and in 4K up to 120 fps. During my tests, I appreciated the image quality and video stability.
A few points to note:
- 4K capture at 120 fps is limited to 6 minutes,
- The wide-angle mode is not available in 4K 120 fps,
- The focus is very effective up to an x10 zoom.
I filmed outdoors with bright sunlight. The microphone captures ambient sounds well, including water noises and birds. It’s a pleasant surprise for a smartphone.
Artificial Intelligence: Is Xiaomi Lagging Behind with its Xiaomi 15 Ultra?
Xiaomi integrates several AI features, but they don’t stand out from the competition. We find:
- Voice recognition,
- Integrated interpreter,
- Photo correction and retouching tools,
- The integration of Google Gemini.
Nothing revolutionary. Unlike other brands that innovate with advanced AI tools, Xiaomi remains conservative on this point.
My Verdict: An Exceptional but Imperfectible Smartphone
After a day of testing, here’s my opinion on the Xiaomi 15 Ultra:
✅ Pros:
- Impressive photo and video quality,
- Bright and fluid screen,
- Top performance with Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 Elite,
- Efficient fast charging,
- Good grip despite the imposing camera block.
❌ Cons:
- x10 zoom less good than on the Galaxy S25 Ultra,
- Some software bugs (Google News),
- AI lagging behind.
I’m waiting to test the battery life over several days and compare it directly to the Samsung S25 Ultra and the Honor Magic 7 Pro. My detailed photo and video comparison is coming soon!
