Xiaomi 15 Ultra  

It measures 161.3 x 75.3 x 9.4 mm (6.35 x 2.96 x 0.37 in) and weighs 226 / 229g. The phone features a large and immersive 6.73-inch LTPO AMOLED display with a 2,400 x 1,080 resolution, a 120Hz refresh rate, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HDR Vivid, and a peak brightness of 3,200 nits. A Xiaomi Shield Glass 2.0 protects the screen against scratches and breakage from accidental falls.

The phone runs on Android 15, supporting up to 4 major Android upgrades, with HyperOS 2 providing a smooth, crisp, and user-friendly interface. An Octa-core, Qualcomm SM8750-AB Snapdragon 8 Elite (3 nm) chipset powers the device, ensuring efficiency when multitasking, gaming, watching videos, and intensive browsing while working. 256GB, 12GB RAM; 512GB, 16GB RAM; and 1TB, 16GB RAM complement the Ultra’s impressive Snapdragon 8 Elite (3 nm) for ultimate high performance.

Being 5G enabled, the Xiaomi 15 Ultra lets you upload and download large files quickly. Bluetooth 5.0, Wi-Fi 7, NFC, USB Type-C 3.2, Infrared port, GPS, and 2 SIM support all make the handset a versatile, practical, and incredible communication device today.

Enjoy a day’s typical use with the Si/C Li-Ion 5410mAh battery. recharge using the wired, 90W PD3.0, QC3+ charging unit or the 80W wireless option. Notably, the Xiaomi 15 Ultra supports reverse wireless charging at 10W.

Unique Selling Points

• 200MP Periscope Telephoto Camera: This advanced camera, a world-first in smartphones, offers exceptional zoom capabilities and low-light performance, setting a new standard in smartphone photography. With this camera, you can capture stunning details and shoot clear photos even in challenging lighting conditions.
• Leica-Inspired Design: The phone boasts a sleek design with finishes inspired by Leica cameras, a renowned brand in the photography industry. The large circular camera module on the rear, complete with a Leica logo, and the two-tone finish reminiscent of classic rangefinder cameras, add a touch of elegance and sophistication to the Xiaomi 15 Ultra.
• Massive Battery: The Chinese variant of the Xiaomi 15 Ultra boasts a 5410mAh battery, one of the largest in the smartphone market, ensuring long-lasting power for a day’s typical use. With ultra-fast charging capabilities, you can quickly recharge the battery, minimizing downtime and keeping you connected throughout the day.
• Satellite Data Connectivity: A world-first feature that enhances communication capabilities
• Generous storage specs: boasting up to 1TB 16GB RAM, you have sufficient RAM and ROM for most intensive tasks and storage to store your heavy files.

Detailed Product Description

Design and Build

Xiaomi’s new flagship device, the 15 Ultra, stands out in the premium segment thanks to its camera-inspired aesthetics. The rear design is heavily influenced by Leica cameras, featuring a large circular camera module with a Leica logo. The two-tone finish evokes the classic look of rangefinder cameras, adding a touch of elegance.

Measuring 161.3 x 75.3 x 9.4 mm (6.35 x 2.96 x 0.37 in) and weighing 226 / 229g, it is both massive and heavy, as you would expect of such a feature-packed premium device. The Samsung Galaxy Ultra, in comparison, weighs 218 grams and measures 8.2 mm in thickness. Built with a glass front, a glass-fiber back or an eco-leather silicone polymer back, and an aluminum frame, the Xiaomi 15 Ultra exudes class and luxury. Notably, the back panel is available in faux leather for a grippy feel or glass-fiber-backed options for a sleek look. The frame is crafted from high-strength aluminum, ensuring durability.

The front is protected by Xiaomi Shield Glass 2.0, offering enhanced scratch resistance and durability. Moreover, it has an IP68 rating, making it resistant to water and dust, though it lacks the higher IP69 rating found in some competitors.

Display

Looking for an immersive viewing experience? The Xiaomi 15 Ultra gives it to you effortlessly! The flagship device features a 6.73-inch LTPO AMOLED display with a resolution of 1440 x 3200 pixels and a 120Hz refresh rate. It supports Dolby Vision and HDR10+ and achieves a peak brightness of 3200 nits, making it one of the brightest displays available. Interestingly, its brightness matches and surpasses Pixel 9 Pro XL’s 3,000 nits peak brightness but falls short of the OnePlus 13’s record 4,500 nits brightness

The screen is protected by Xiaomi Shield Glass 2.0, enhancing durability. Xiaomi 15 Ultra’s display performance has been praised for excellent readability in various lighting conditions and smooth touch responsiveness. However, it has some limitations, such as reduced brightness in low-light HDR10 video playback. Overall, it matches the expectations that come with the high price tag and buzz around flagship devices.

Camera Set up

A highly sophisticated and high-performance quad-camera system is installed on the device. I am impressed by this setup, which sets the Xiaomi 15 Ultra as a photography-inclined device. Very few devices can match this setup and performance, save for the Vivo X200 Pro and Xiaomi 14T Pro.

The Xiaomi 15 Ultra boasts a cutting-edge camera setup specifically designed for professional-grade photography. It features a 50MP primary sensor with a large 1-inch sensor for exceptional low-light performance, a 200MP periscope lens with a 4.3x optical zoom for detailed shots, a 50MP telephoto lens for versatile zoom capabilities, and a 50MP ultra-wide lens for expansive views. The camera system is Leica-tuned, ensuring exceptional image quality and color accuracy.

Main Camera

Specifically, the camera set up at the rear:

• 50 MP, f/1.6, 23mm (wide), 1.0″-type, 1.6µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS
• 50 MP, f/1.8, 70mm (telephoto), 1/2.51″, 0.7µm, dual pixel PDAF (10cm – ∞), OIS, 3x optical zoom
• 200 MP, f/2.6, 100mm (periscope telephoto), 1/1.4″, 0.56µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS, 4.3x optical zoom
• 50 MP, f/2.2, 14mm, 115˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.76″, 0.64µm, dual pixel PDAF
• TOF 3D, (depth)

Conveniently, you can record high-quality 4K and 8K videos with gyro-EIS and Dolby Vision HDR 10-bit recording support.

Selfie Lens

Selfie shots and video recordings are equally fantastic. The 32 MP, f/2.0, 21mm (wide), 1/3.14″, 0.7µm sensor does not fall short, delivering high-quality pictures and uncompromising 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps videos, thanks to gyro-EIS.

When compared to each other, the Xiaomi 15 Ultra, Xiaomi 14T Pro, and Vivo X200 are all obvious in their distinct strengths and capabilities.

Our verdict, when it comes to cameras:

• the Xiaomi 15 Ultra is the best choice for versatility and Leica-tuned color science;
• For zoom photography and low-light performance, the Vivo X200 Pro stands out.
• the Xiaomi 14T Pro is a strong contender for high-resolution photography and advanced video recording.

Processing Power and Performance Capabilities

The Xiaomi 15 Ultra is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite Mobile Platform, which is built on cutting-edge 3nm process technology. This chipset features 2 Prime Cores clocked at up to 4.32 GHz, 6 Performance Cores at up to 3.53 GHz, and an Adreno GPU for exceptional graphics performance. It supports LPDDR5X RAM and UFS 4.1 storage, ensuring lightning-fast multitasking and data transfer speeds.

Additionally, the device runs on Xiaomi HyperOS 2, which integrates AI-powered optimizations for smoother performance and enhanced battery efficiency. This makes it ideal for gaming, professional tasks, and everyday use.

It has 256GB of storage and 12GB of RAM. There are no limitations regarding ROM, no buffering due to limited RAM, and no task too hard for the highly efficient and robust Snapdragon 8 Elite Mobile Platform.

Connectivity and Communications Support

The Ultra offers state-of-the-art connectivity and communication features. It supports 5G connectivity, Wi-Fi 7, and Bluetooth 6, ensuring fast and reliable wireless connections. Additionally, it is Xiaomi’s first smartphone to feature direct satellite connectivity, compatible with both Beidou and Tiantong satellites, making it ideal for remote areas without traditional network coverage.

The device also features dual SIM support, USB 3.2 Type-C, and advanced GPS capabilities, including support for A-GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, and other satellite navigation systems. These features make it a versatile and reliable choice for seamless communication and navigation.

Battery and Power Management

Xiaomi 15 Ultra boasts impressive battery and power management features. It is equipped with a 5,410mAh silicon-carbon battery, which offers exceptional longevity. Even after 1,000 charge cycles, it retains over 90% of its capacity. The phone supports 90W wired charging and 80W wireless charging, ensuring minimal downtime. Additionally, its advanced power management system optimizes daily usage, providing up to 1.46 days of battery life on a single charge.