Xiaomi 15 Ultra Review: The Super Leica Phone

A mere jumble of megapixels? No way! Xiaomi 15 Ultra is just another pocket photography studio. The landscape of camera-centric smartphones is at an all-time high in India, and 15 Ultra is throwing down the gauntlet. It’s just that your choices are far too much-another Xiaomi 15, the Vivo X200 series, the Oppo Find X8 series-but if you really stand on one side of mobile photography, then prepare to be enchanted. The 15 Ultra is not messing around; it’s rewriting the game.

Five years back, recommending a camera phone was very simple: iPhone or topmost-end Samsung, period. Now, the field has exploded into a photo-fueled free-for-all-and-we, the consumers, are-the-winners!

The Xiaomi 15 Ultra doesn’t just pick up where the 14 Ultra left off; it blasts past it. Consider it a refined masterpiece, building upon Xiaomi’s winning formula (and even echoing hints of the 13 Pro’s brilliance). The secret ingredient? Leica. Their iconic branding isn’t just a logo; it’s a promise – a photographer’s badge of honor guaranteeing unparalleled imaging prowess. It’s more than reassuring; it’s a declaration of photographic dominance.

There are few mobile phones with better cameras, but its name drops in conversation between the Xiaomi 15 Ultra. Is it really that overrated? Well, my rating on it will offer just the definitive answer.

Xiaomi 15 Ultra Design: Mimics Classic Leica Camera

• It comes in a single Silver Chrome colour
• It weighs 229 grams and is on the heavier side
• The 15 Ultra measures 9.48mm thick

Xiaomi 15 Ultra is not just a phone; it is a statement. A statement for those who see the world from behind a lens. Its design is neither iconic nor legendary because it grew out of a thought-for-thought analogy of the renowned Leica rangefinder cameras, setting it apart. Aerospace-grade glass fibre and supple PU leather come together to create an experience that soaks in premium class and really feels like a reincarnation of classic feel in a modern avatar. When you pick it up, the phone’s solid unibody frame speaks volumes of its quality and fits brilliantly in your hand. This is one phone that qualifies more as a camera that makes calls.

Xiaomi 14 Ultra (on the left) and Xiaomi 15 Ultra (on the right)

If we speak about the camera bump on the Xiaomi 15 Ultra, that very description is not for the faint-hearted. Four lenses stand sister inside a massive circular module wailing of its photographic prowess a bit of loudness going on, I must admit. Weighing in at 229 grams, the weight makes it impossible to ignore; so this is a phone demanding attention through the hard way. Expect a brief adjustment phase until you get used to the gravity; one-handed use might turn into a really good workout initially. And, when it happens, it’s a win! The PU leather and fiberglass back may not seem like much, but they offer really good grip that really makes all those one-handed maneuvers much safer. The 15 Ultra is no casual phone it’s making a statement: are you in for it?

The Xiaomi 15 Ultra is designed to endure life’s inevitable tumbles with the revolutionary Xiaomi Guardian Structure. Picture an unyielding fortress rising from the aluminum frame; with Corning Gorilla Glass 7i protecting the camera and then topped with Xiaomi Shield Glass 2.0 front. It’s not just about protection; it’s the guarantee of peace of mind.

Rear design comparison: Xiaomi 14 Ultra (on the left) and Xiaomi 15 Ultra (on the right)

The Xiaomi 15 Ultra is no mere phone-it is a sight to behold. Quad-Curved Display with Thin Bezels] With those impossibly thin bezels, each video and photo will feel immersive and engaging at an emotional level. And while soaking in the view, keep in mind that the phone has recieved IP68 grade dust and water resistance. Going bonkers over the lack of IP69? Take it easy. Unless battling rogue firemen is your day job, IP68 will do just fine. Most importantly, Xiaomi packed away its under-display optical fingerprint scanner in favor of a faster and more dependable ultrasonic scanner, thus unlocking the phone will feel like entering the future.

The Xiaomi 15 Ultra is more than just a phone with a camera; it revels in it. That discreet, very understated “Ultra” engraving in the upper-left corner is a salute to exactitude, a wink of design that says, “Yes, this is meant to capture the extraordinary.” It is the kind of detail that elevates a device to an item of desire for any serious photograph addict.

Overall, the 15 Ultra is the purest camera phone for enthusiasts.

Is it still phone photography, though? And the Xiaomi 15 Ultra Photography Kit converts your device into a serious imaging powerhouse. This is not just a case; it is a love letter to classic cameras.

Imagine: A nicerclickof the detachable shutter, your thumb comfortably resting on the sculpted support. The integrated 2000mAh battery ensures you never miss a shot. The grip case not only protects but also accentuates the beauty of 15 Ultra.

And the real enchantment lies in the minutiae: Thanks to the tactile dial that allows you to set EV, shutter speed, ISO, or white balance just at the fingertip, your magic starts happening. The zoom lever feels like a magic sword as it glides…a whole new level of precision. A dedicated video button magically launches you into recording with customizable aspect ratios and exposures at will.

And for those fleeting moments? The customisable Fastshot mode ensures you’re always ready. Plus, with IP54rated protection (battery pack included), adventure awaits, rainorshine.

The Xiaomi 15 Ultra Photography Kit is not just an accessory to common people; it makes a statement. A topic of conversationiicons personified!

The phone comes in a Silver Chrome colour option and weighs 229 grams

Want to unleash the 15 Ultra’s inner photography beast? This kit’s your key.

Xiaomi 15 Ultra Display: Straight to the Top of the Class

• Offers 3200nits peak brightness
• Supports HDR10+ and Dolby Vision
• Xiaomi Shield Glass 2.0 protection

Inheriting its stupendous display, the 15 Ultra is a class act in itself. But that just is not the end of it. Get ready to be blinded by 3200 nits of peak brightness, 200 nits extra compared to the 3000 nits specifications on the 14 Ultra. Can you actuallyseethe difference? Well, maybe not so much. Nevertheless, Xiaomi is on the display flexing side, ready to outshine mighty ones such as the lest-go-rumored Pixel 9 Pro XL, Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, and the iPhone 16 Pro Max. The X200 Pro, the Find X8 Pro, and the OnePlus 13, however, are untouchable when it comes to brightness, with that incredible 4500 nits.

It features a 6.73-inch LTPO display with a 1440×3200 pixels screen resolution

Put your gorgeous gaze onto a more fluid yet responsive display. So here now we have an adaptive 120Hz refresh rate that cleverly calibers itself down to an energy-efficient 1Hz at downtimes. But not just that; visual beauty runs through this phone for it carries HDR10+ and Dolby Vision, transforming the screen into a lively canvas. And, with Widevine L1 certification, all of your streaming apps are unlocked with HDR content, granting you the sublime quality of marathon binging.

Get absorbed in a visual treat with the 15 Ultra’s 6.73-inch OLED display. From waging wars in virtual worlds to binge-watching series to surfing the web, the display promises complete immersion. But the enchantment does not end there. Eye strain becomes a history with 1920Hz PWM dimming and DC dimming technologies that render comfortable viewing in any condition of light. Also, slipping fingers? Wet touch technology makes sweaty fingers powerless against the screen. Night readers, at your beck and call! TÜV Rheinland Low Blue Light certification ensures that your phone will consider you a sleep friend. Back to the display, the 15 Ultra claims the best view; just prepare to be smitten.

The biggest highlight of the display is it supports 3200nits peak brightness

Xiaomi 15 Ultra Cameras: The Company’s North Star

• 50-megapixel Leica 23mm primary camera (1-inch LYT-900 image sensor)
• 200-megapixel ultra Leica telephoto with 100mm equivalent focal length
• 50-megapixel 70mm Leica floating telephoto
• 50-megapixel ultra-wide camera with 115-degree field of view
• 32-megapixel in-display selfie camera

Last year, the 14 Ultra set a high benchmark for mobile photography. I then wonder: how can the 15 Ultra possibly raise that bar? Now, I don’t wonder anymore. The monster of a phone has that nominal 200-megapixel telephoto sensor. No other competitor has that. In terms of zoom, you have 0.6x, 1x, 2x, 3x, and a very sharp 4.3x. Variable aperture is gone; believe me, you will not even miss it.

Diving straight into the visual buffet-from-daylight shots on the Xiaomi 15 Ultra. Prepare yourself to be dazzled. If you wanted to put it plainly, these are daylight masterpieces. The details? Overflowing. Exposure is strong. Dynamic range-wise, wide enough to capture the soul of the scene. Leica color science is not a mere feature; it is the revelation that lifted the art of smartphone photography. Colors explode with natural vibrancy, every pixel standing for clarity. Skin tones are massages in an authentic manner, glowing with life. And noise? It disappeared, giving way to pure image perfection.

The company is selling the Photography Kit Legend Edition separately for the Xiaomi 15 Ultra

And the digital zoom controversy was resolved. The jump from 1x to 2x? Negligible quality loss. You might want to sit down for this: At 2x, the shots produced are pixel-perfect copies of the 1x lens shots.

Xiaomi 15 Ultra daylight camera samples (tap images to expand)

Xiaomi’s Ultra line prides itself on the portrait mode, and, in that regard, the 15 Ultra is a worthy successor. It produces beautiful portraits, separating the subject from the background with soft and dreamy bokeh. Working towards perfect depth of field have just become more fun.

Xiaomi 15 Ultra portrait camera sample (tap image to expand)

Xiaomi 15 Ultra makes sure you do not need binoculars-the phone becomes a telescope. I sniped a ship, just specks at the horizon at 0.6x, and then, with an insane telephoto lens, onto startling clarity. Other flagships actually choked at greater than 25x zoom, coughiPhones, cough, 15 Ultra just laughed and gave you usable images that were simply incredible.

Zoom lover? Fisheye of the finest form. The 3x zoomish magic can capture pictures bursting with every color spirit, an awesome dynamic range, and such crisp details that they practically sing. 4.3x telephoto? That one is great for portraits. It finds that perfect balance where subjects have a bit of space to breathe, and the pictures come forth as studio-quality. I was flabbergasted! Now, prepare yourself for the beauty that the 15 Ultra can bestow with these lenses. See below for truly unbeatable results.

A ship in the ocean appears like a dot in 0.6x (tap image to expand)

The ship is visible with the name being readable, showing the 15 Ultra’s zooming capability

Xiaomi 15 Ultra zoom samples (tap images to expand)

A lens of 3X zoom has been latinized in the smartphone for stunning close-ups. With spectacular natural features that tend to be vastly elaborate in their capacity to capture the essence.

Xiaomi 15 Ultra is also a capable smartphone for close-up shots (tap images to expand)

The 15 Ultra’s camera array is a powerhouse, almost completely void of flaws. Any weakness might be posited in its ultrawide lens. While it can shoot vibrant, dynamic shots, it can’t quite attain the stellar heights it does with the main shooter. This is a subtle difference, one that becomes noticeable when pixel-peeping: the ultra-wide just lacks that last bit of brilliance.

Xiaomi 15 Ultra ultrawide samples (tap images to expand)

“Unleash your inner artist with Leica’s signature styles: ‘Authentic’ for timeless portraits and ‘Vibrant’ to ignite your social feed.”

Xiaomi 15 Ultra low-light samples (tap images to expand)

And now the magic kicks in. At night, Xiaomi 15 Ultra becomes a wild beast. Adieu to grainy impressions and dull memories; this phone is a painter that wields light. Dark alleys are transformed into vivid, sharp landscapes as secrets murmur and slip by in shadows. Highlights glitter without blowing out; textures lost deep in the dark stand revealed in all their glory. Noise? Barely a murmur. The 15 Ultra doesn’t simply take pictures-at night, it casts a conjuring spell for art.

Xiaomi 15 Ultra selfie sample (tap image to expand)

Because self-portraits with Xiaomi need an upgrade. The front camera is not the best, but it is far from dazzling, especially for a phone supposed to be made for photographers at heart. Go with the better end of daylight and thoughtful detail, but nighttime shots? They are a gamble. It is hit or miss, and frankly, these photos should not miss at this price.

It is video recording that the camera-phone brings out with all fury. Imagine recording your memories in glorious 4K resolution at 60fps smoothness fromeverylens. Want to give a slow-motion effect to memories? Then the main lens and the periscope telephoto will provide you breathtaking 4K cinematic slow-motion at 120fps. Video quality is really in the league of pros. The real question is whether content creators will embrace it fully. This depends on whether the editing workflow can fit rapidly within the current ecosystem.

More than megapixels: Xiaomi 15 Ultra shall become the benchmark for mobile photography in 2025. While Oppo and Vivo are rushing to swear off their own “Ultra” contenders, it’s Gadgetz in this race against Time. The 14 Ultra was a disruptor in this industry; 15 Ultra is full-blown magic. Picture two tele lenses perfectly aligned with each other, turning this phone into a fully functional point-and-shoot camera for discriminating eyes. But if you really want to open all the doors within its potential? The Photography Kit Legend Edition turns from mere accessory into a warp portal for mobile imaging beyond any imagination. Prepare to be amazed.

With fewer megapixels: Xiaomi 15 Ultra shall become the mobile photography benchmark into the year 2025. While the competition, Oppo and Vivo, speed-walking to swear off their own “Ultra” contenders, Xiaomi is already midway wrapping its competitors. The 14 Ultra was a disruption; the 15 Ultra is full-blown magic. Imagine two telephoto lenses functioning in unison to turn this into the perfect point-and-shoot for discriminating eyes. But if you truly want to open all the doors in its potential? The Photography Kit Legend Edition is no longer just an accessory; it’s a warp portal into mobile imaging in any imagination. Prepare to be amazed.

Xiaomi 15 Ultra Performance: Boringly Brilliant

• Snapdragon 8 Elite Mobile Platform
• 16GB + 512GB (single variant)
• HyperOS 2.0 based on Android 15
• 4 years of software support and 6 years of security updates promised

Xiaomi 15 Ultra doesn’t merely snugly fit Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite; it unleashes it. Consider it like having a cheetah in your pocket. Forget about stutters and lags-the phone actually makes giggles out of them. I really did push it,hard. Thirty-two apps running simultaneously, the audio of chaos, and the 15 Ultra didn’t even flinch. Swapping among multiple resource-intensive applications felt instant. This isn’t “top-tier performance”; it gates into at what will be popular mobile processing in a matter of moments, thus effortlessly handling everything you throw at it-then actually asking for more!

Forget choosing: the 15 Ultras in India land with a definite 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage space. However, what Xiaomi sent over to me for a hands-on? The overpowering 1TB model – a storage king unfortunately limited to China. Deep inside, you have LPDDR5X RAM and UFS 4.1 storage ready to rumble at high speeds.

In India, the phone is available in single RAM and storage trim – 16GB + 512GB

While ultrasonic fingerprint sensors work like they are 14 Ultra’s diffracting fast, unlocking with a face is present and dependable; yet whenever I was testing it, I found myself reaching out instinctively for the fingerprint reader. Gamers, rejoice! The 15 Ultra comes with the 3D Dual-Channel IceLoop cooling system being an important factor given how much heat this phone can produce. During my reviewing phase, the phone did get noticeably warm during long stretches of Google Map-based navigation (45+ mins), grueling high-intensity gaming (40+ mins), and even extended camera use (25+ mins). At least the heat did not get unbearable, and the IceLoop kept things consistently checked.

The performance of Mi Note 15 Ultra phone wasn’t just great-it absolutely crushed it! The numbers don’t lie; they scream performance. Feast your eyes:

Benchmark	Xiaomi 15 Ultra	iPhone 16 Pro Max	Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra	Google Pixel 9 Pro XL
Geekbench 6 Single	2,980	3,203	3,053	1,944
Geekbench 6 Multi	8,870	7,846	9,832	4,667
AnTuTu v10	25,19,481	15,87,059	21,23,303	10,67,971
PCMark Work 3.0	18,189	N/A	19,266	12,922
GFXB T-rex	120fps	59fps	120fps	120fps
GFXB Manhattan 3.1	306fps	59.7fps	115fps	105fps
GFXB Car Chase	120fps	59.4fps	94fps	55fps
3DM Slingshot Extreme OpenGL	Maxed Out	N/A	Failed to run	Failed to run
3DM Slingshot	Maxed Out	N/A	Failed to run	Failed to run
3DM Wild Life	Maxed Out	8,942	Maxed Out	8,902
3DM Wild Life Unlimited	Failed to run	N/A	23,683	9,294

On the 15 Ultra, call clarity is perfect, and 5G internet was seamless on both Airtel and Jio networks. But everything ends with that keyboard. Its haptic motor response is subtle and nuanced, making typing a multisensorial experience: texting becomes an elegant art, and gaming becomes a fully immersive activity.

This phone provides stereo speakers with immersive Dolby Atmos sound. A single speaker shoots sound from the bottom, and the earpiece also works as a secondary driver. The whole setup creates a powerful and rich sound experience that can easily fill a medium-sized room.

Software-wise, it is Android 15 on the Xiaomi 15 Ultra, dressed in Xiaomi’s own HyperOS 2.0. Xiaomi guarantees 4 Android updates and security patches for 6 years: a pretty safe promise, though not the gold standard set by Samsung and Google yet. Most users, however, upgrade their phones every couple of years, and so, in essence, Xiaomi has made sure your 15 Ultra will stay secure and cutting edge for a long time.

The new aerospace-grade glass fibre and PU leather back make a great rear design

HyperOS 2: More Tweak Than Transformation?

HyperOS 2 ushers in its improvements while keeping the feel of its predecessor, but something about enhanced optimization and AI integration is whispered under its breath. Most apparent? The new Control Center now shares the interface with iOS, decoupling notifications and quick toggles for ease of use. Now, dive into the ocean of customization options that allow you to tweak home and lock screens to reflect your true digital self. So is the question: Is it a big leap or a gentle walk hard along evolution?

Google’s caught some more action with some interesting extra features like Gemini Access and the ridiculously addictive Circle to Search. No more typing meant to associate, students; just circle anything on the screen, and Google gets it in the snap of a finger. Xiaomi is not sitting idly by, giving it another push with its arsenal of AIs. You have AI Writing, your personal proofreader, and summarizer; the AI Gallery Editor will fast-track your skills in photo editing; and AI Speech Recognition will turn your speech into text. And that is not all. There is AI conversation interpretation, real-time translation, and AI subtitles-a multilingual AI assistant right in your pocket. The one thing such a powerful AI presence adds up to is a boost in productivity that will make you wonder how you ever managed without it.

The AI in HyperOS 2 feels like it could have been something more. The Object Remover feels more like an Object Smudger, with imperfect edits. The same fate was meted to voice recording, as speech recognition stumbled, and the resulting summaries were, well, nonsensical. Xiaomi is not the only one having these AI growing pains: even Apple’s talked-up “Intelligence” sounds an awful lot like “Incipience.” Maybe 2025 will be the year when AI actually gets its act together and delivers on its promise of seamless experiences.

The rear design of the 15 Ultra makes it stand out in the crowd

Xiaomi 15 Ultra Battery: Exceeds Expectations

• 5410mAh Battery
• 90W HyperCharge
• Fully charges in less than an hour

Charge! The 15 Ultra doesn’t simply ask for a better battery life. It defies every known law of expectation. Enormous, 5410-mAh battery is kept underneath-the-hood, creating a big leap into energy from 5000-mAh on the 14 Ultra. Get ready for endurance-writing history.

The 15 Ultra phone served around 20 hours, making it a battery-life champion among late-2024 and 2025 devices. The best news perhaps: a 90W charger, since good chargers don’t come with phones as regularly these days. Fast charging worth its name since charging the device from 0 to 100 percent can take under an hour. On the flip side, great heat kicks in while recharging. The 15 Ultra, which by default is set to standard wired charging on being out of the box, poses the opportunity to switch to ‘Top Speed’ for the fastest power-up and a whole lot more.

The phone comes with 90W fast-charging support that can charge the phone fully within an hour

The Xiaomi 15 Ultra is all about killing battery anxiety. There is no more picking up a charger around noontime. This one is a marathon runner, not a sprinter. After punishing it for an hour of gaming, tons of calls, scrolling, streaming, photo editing on the fly, and a constant barrage of background notifications from Instagram, X, and work, the 15 Ultra just shrugged off the day and went on for another. The truly kicker was getting 7+ hours of glorious screen time! If the Pixel 9 Pro XL is sweating buckets, then the 15 Ultra should be drying himself off in a sunny corner; the battery is unmatched.

Overall, the Xiaomi 15 Ultra exceeded my expectations in terms of battery output.

Xiaomi 15 Ultra Verdict

The Xiaomi 15 Ultra has no time for small uprades. An exceptionally designed smartphone with the utmost camera prowess, it may well sweep the NDTV Gadgets 360 Awards next year. A new level is being set for smartphone photography from here on out.

The Snapdragon 8 Elite is entered in homes, undeterred by a single step in its pathway. Xiaomi has not just put a camera inside; they partnered with Leica to ensure the lens has perfection in capturing light and emotion. Chills, no more-wear down; a heavy 5410mAh cellryday lasts, and 90W HyperCharge fills in quicker than you can say, “Charge.” But something that is a huge-great move: packaging the Photography Kit Legend Edition separately-would act as a call to the dedicated Xiaomi enthusiast and an independent photographer.

Xiaomi 15 Ultra is your dream gaming Partner. So get on the battlegrounds of BGMI and COD: Mobile and enjoy buttery smooth gameplay at maximum graphics settings, with nothing less than super-fine visuals. Have fun with winning.

This was just an introductory announcement, stating the sale of the Xiaomi 15 Ultra at the price of Rs. 109,999, which can be purchased on Amazon, through Mi.com, as well as Xiaomi partner outlets. Well, now comes the fun part: some really sneaky credit card offers can push the price south of the one lakh threshing, so much of a steal! Fancy yourself a photog? The Photography Kit Legend Edition beckons, just adding Rs. 11,999 to the total. So all in all, at about Rs. 1,21,998 (sans discounts), one is walking away with a camera beast that will record memories for eons.

Flagship prices that will make a hole in your pockets, shall we say? The Xiaomi 15 Ultra Photography Kit Legend Edition thus dares to stand against giants like the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, starting at a whopping Rs. 141,999, and the iPhone 16 Pro Max, still annoying at Rs. 137,900. Want a pinch of premium features minus the sting of paying for them? So, the Vivo X200 Pro, priced at Rs. 94,999, plus the Find X8 Pro, at Rs. 99,999, throw attractive temptations against you.

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