Expectations were sky‐high when I first unboxed the Xiaomi 15 Ultra, a device that follows in the footsteps of what many hailed as the favorite camera phone of 2024. As the latest collaboration between Xiaomi and Leica, this flagship promised a fresh take on mobile photography while delivering the high-end performance that power users demand. From the outset, it was clear that the Xiaomi 15 Ultra was designed to challenge conventional norms in smartphone design and functionality. With its bold camera setup and impressive specifications, it aimed to push the envelope on what users could expect from a premium flagship.
In today’s fiercely competitive mobile landscape, every new release is scrutinized for innovation, and the Xiaomi 15 Ultra is no exception. The device is built on a foundation of cutting-edge hardware, from a state-of-the-art Snapdragon 8 Elite processor paired with 16GB of RAM to a dazzling 6.73-inch AMOLED display that supports a 1–120Hz refresh rate.
The integration of a comprehensive camera system—boasting a 50MP main shooter, dual 50MP telephoto options, a 50MP wide-angle lens, and a groundbreaking 200MP periscope telephoto camera—positions it as a serious contender for photography enthusiasts. This review is a deep dive into every detail, exploring whether the Xiaomi 15 Ultra can truly elevate the standards of its predecessor and live up to the lofty expectations set before its launch.
This detailed analysis is intended for users who demand not only robust performance but also an immersive photography experience from their smartphone. Throughout this review, we’ll navigate through the design philosophy, examine the intricacies of the display, and dissect the performance metrics that define everyday usability.
We will also explore the unique strengths and occasional shortcomings of its camera system and software, all while weighing the impact of its premium price point. Whether you’re a seasoned mobile photographer or someone who values a high-performance device with a strong aesthetic appeal, this article aims to provide an exhaustive hands-on evaluation of the Xiaomi 15 Ultra.
Over the course of our in-depth testing, we observed a device that is both ambitious and, at times, conflicted by its own design choices. While the Xiaomi 15 Ultra dazzles with its robust build and striking visual performance, certain idiosyncrasies—such as occasional software quirks and inconsistent photographic results—present challenges that might temper your initial excitement. In the sections that follow, we will break down each component of the phone, offering insights into how its design, performance, camera system, and software integration come together to form an experience that is both powerful and, occasionally, perplexing.
Design and Build Quality
The first impression of the Xiaomi 15 Ultra is unmistakably bold. Its design immediately catches the eye with a camera module that dominates the rear, evoking the appearance of a professional camera. The upper section of the device is crafted from metal, exuding a sense of solidity and premium craftsmanship, while the lower section is elegantly covered with a vegan leather panel.
This clever juxtaposition of materials creates a look that is both classic and contemporary, reinforcing the idea that the 15 Ultra is not just a phone—it’s a statement piece. The inclusion of the “Ultra” logo alongside the Leica branding adds an extra layer of prestige, ensuring that every detail is meticulously curated to appeal to the discerning user.
Despite its striking design, the Xiaomi 15 Ultra does not hide its physical heft. With dimensions of 161.3 x 75.3 x 9.48mm and a weight of 229 grams, it is undeniably substantial. In portrait orientation, the phone is noticeably top-heavy—a byproduct of the large camera module that, while visually impressive, contributes significantly to its overall weight.
The thickness of the device, measured at approximately 9.5mm, is evident to the touch, yet the 3D curved edges of the display help mitigate any discomfort by ensuring that the phone does not dig into your hand. Interestingly, the design of the camera module also serves a practical purpose; by resting against the top of your fingers, it aids in balancing the phone during everyday use, making it feel surprisingly manageable despite its robust build.
The build quality of the Xiaomi 15 Ultra reinforces its premium positioning. An aluminum frame paired with Xiaomi Shield Glass 2.0 offers excellent durability and a sense of refinement that is backed by an IP68 rating, ensuring protection against both dust and water. This combination of materials not only provides a sturdy structure but also delivers a tactile experience that feels both modern and luxurious.
The overall aesthetic is a harmonious blend of industrial strength and artistic elegance, with every element—from the coin-edge bezel surrounding the camera module to the precise placement of logos—demonstrating a commitment to detail. While the phone’s appearance is unavoidably linked to its photographic prowess, its design successfully bridges the gap between high-performance hardware and artistic expression.
Display and Visual Performance
At the heart of the Xiaomi 15 Ultra is its expansive 6.73-inch AMOLED screen, a display that stands as one of the device’s most compelling features. Capable of reaching resolutions of 3200 x 1440 pixels and boasting an impressive peak brightness of up to 3200 nits, the screen delivers visuals that are both sharp and vibrant.
Whether you’re streaming high-definition videos or playing graphics-intensive games, the display maintains a level of clarity and detail that is hard to match. The ability to adjust the refresh rate between 1Hz and 120Hz ensures that the screen is optimized for both power efficiency and smooth motion, making it versatile enough to handle everything from static content to dynamic gaming scenes.
During extensive testing, the display proved resilient even under challenging lighting conditions. Bright sunlight did little to wash out the colors, and the 3D curved edges provided a sense of immersion that pulled you into the content. The vivid hues and deep blacks characteristic of AMOLED technology make for a truly engaging viewing experience, one that is enhanced by the device’s ability to maintain high resolution without compromise. However, it’s important to note that while the screen performance is excellent, the high resolution can contribute to increased battery consumption—a trade-off that becomes a point of consideration when evaluating overall efficiency.
Despite its technical brilliance, the display of the Xiaomi 15 Ultra is not without its nuances. For instance, some users might find that the extremely high brightness levels, while beneficial in outdoor settings, occasionally lead to minor thermal variations during prolonged use. Nevertheless, these are minor quibbles in a display that is otherwise nearly faultless. The balance between power and performance is meticulously managed, ensuring that the screen remains a highlight even when the device is pushed to its operational limits. Overall, the visual performance of the Xiaomi 15 Ultra is a testament to the advancements in display technology, delivering an experience that is as visually stunning as it is functional.
Performance and Hardware Capabilities
Under the hood, the Xiaomi 15 Ultra is a powerhouse designed to cater to the most demanding users. At its core lies the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, paired with a generous 16GB of RAM, ensuring that multitasking and intensive applications run smoothly without any noticeable lag. Whether you’re navigating complex apps, streaming multiple videos, or playing graphics-intensive games, the device’s performance is consistently robust. This impressive hardware configuration not only supports everyday tasks with ease but also provides ample headroom for future software updates and demanding usage scenarios.
The efficiency of the Snapdragon 8 Elite is evident in the way the phone handles resource-intensive tasks. During our hands-on evaluation, even when launching several apps simultaneously, the device maintained a fluid and responsive interface. However, there were occasional instances of app compatibility issues, particularly with some games that momentarily locked up on first use.
In these cases, a simple restart of the phone resolved the hiccups, suggesting that while the hardware is top-tier, there might still be minor software optimizations needed to ensure a flawless experience. Nevertheless, these isolated incidents do not detract significantly from the overall performance, which remains among the best in its class.
Connectivity is another area where the Xiaomi 15 Ultra excels. The device effortlessly pulls in robust 5G signals, often outperforming competitors in areas where network reception can be spotty. In addition to cellular connectivity, the phone supports the latest Wi-Fi 7 standards, ensuring that wireless data transfer is both fast and reliable. Stereo speakers provide clear, immersive sound, while the in-display fingerprint sensor and expansive face unlock functionality add an extra layer of convenience to everyday use. Taken together, these hardware capabilities underscore the Xiaomi 15 Ultra’s status as a flagship device that is built to handle the demands of modern mobile computing without compromise.
Camera System and Photographic Performance
A key selling point of the Xiaomi 15 Ultra is its ambitious camera system, designed to push the boundaries of mobile photography. The device features an extensive array of cameras: a 50MP main sensor equipped with a Sony LYT-900 module and an f/1.63 aperture, a 50MP wide-angle lens with a 115-degree field of view and f/2.2 aperture, and two telephoto cameras—a 50MP floating telephoto and a groundbreaking 200MP periscope telephoto. Each lens is outfitted with Leica’s Vario Summilux optics, and advanced AI enhancements work behind the scenes to produce images that are both rich in detail and vibrant in color.
Despite the impressive specifications, the photographic prowess of the Xiaomi 15 Ultra carries a mixed bag of results. On the positive side, the main camera delivers images with excellent natural depth and a high level of detail, making it a solid performer in a variety of lighting conditions.
The consistency between the main and wide-angle cameras is commendable, and the AI-driven enhancements ensure that photos are optimized for clarity and color. However, some zoom modes reveal a degree of inconsistency: images captured with the 3x zoom can appear somewhat muted in color, while those taken with the 4.3x zoom sometimes come off as overly processed. These nuances indicate that while the camera system is undeniably powerful, there may be room for further tuning to achieve the refined consistency seen in previous models like the Xiaomi 14 Ultra.
Another point of contention for some users is the absence of the manually variable aperture, a feature that contributed significantly to the Xiaomi 14 Ultra’s photographic credibility. In its place, the 15 Ultra relies on preset modes such as Leica Vibrant—its default setting that tends to boost colors—and Leica Authentic, which offers a more natural look. For purists who favor complete control over their photographic output, this shift might feel like a step back.
Nonetheless, the versatility of the camera system means that there are ample options available to suit different shooting styles and conditions. The extensive spec sheet and the array of features promise a high level of versatility, even if the overall execution occasionally falls short of the lofty expectations set by its predecessor.
Software Experience and User Interface
Running on Xiaomi HyperOS 2 over Android 15, the Xiaomi 15 Ultra offers a feature-rich software experience that aims to complement its powerful hardware. The user interface is designed to be both customizable and intuitive, providing a range of options for personalizing everything from the home screen to notification settings.
However, the software is not without its quirks. During our testing, we encountered some inconsistencies with notifications, where certain alerts failed to appear reliably in the early days of usage. Similarly, apps such as Microsoft Teams did not update their content until manually refreshed, suggesting that there might be some underlying power management or optimization issues at play.
The default split notification shade, where swiping downward on one side displays notifications and the other side shows quick settings, is another design choice that has divided opinions. While it offers a unique way to segregate information, it can feel awkward and cumbersome compared to the more streamlined interfaces found on competing devices like Samsung’s One UI 7 or OnePlus’s OxygenOS 15.
For users who prefer a simpler, more intuitive interaction model, this aspect of HyperOS 2 might require some adjustment. That said, the level of customization available in the Theme store—despite being somewhat overwhelming—allows users to tailor the experience to their liking, even if it means sifting through a plethora of options to find the right look and feel.
In addition to visual customization, the overall responsiveness of the software is commendable. The HyperOS 2 interface is designed to take full advantage of the Snapdragon 8 Elite’s capabilities, resulting in a smooth and responsive experience under normal usage conditions. Despite minor hiccups with certain apps and notifications, the majority of interactions are fluid and satisfying.
The system’s approach to power management and background processes is effective, although it occasionally requires manual intervention to ensure that apps refresh in real time. Ultimately, while the software experience of the Xiaomi 15 Ultra may not be as polished as that found on some of its top-tier competitors, it offers a rich and highly customizable environment that should appeal to users who appreciate flexibility and control.
Battery Life and Charging Performance
The Xiaomi 15 Ultra is powered by a sizable 5,410mAh battery, a component that underpins the device’s promise of all-day performance. Supporting both 90W wired HyperCharge and 80W wireless charging, the phone ensures that even heavy users can quickly top up their battery. During our testing, typical screen time—averaging about three hours per day outside of gaming—resulted in the battery finishing the day with around 60% remaining. For those who use their phone more sparingly, this translates to an impressive two-day battery life when total screen time is kept to roughly six hours.
The efficiency of the charging system is a standout feature, with rapid charging capabilities that allow users to get a significant boost in a short amount of time. For instance, a 40-minute YouTube video playback in 1080p consumed only about 4% of the battery, underscoring the phone’s energy efficiency during less demanding tasks.
However, it’s worth noting that the high resolution and 120Hz refresh rate can increase power consumption when the phone is pushed to its limits, a trade-off that is common in flagship devices with premium displays. While the overall battery performance is impressive, users who engage in intensive gaming or continuous high-brightness usage may need to manage their battery life more carefully.
Another interesting aspect of the charging experience is the inclusion of a USB-A to USB-C cable in the box—a choice that stands in contrast to the more common USB-C to USB-C configurations found in many other high-end smartphones. Although this may seem like a minor detail, it is indicative of Xiaomi’s approach to balancing cost and performance. Overall, the battery and charging performance of the Xiaomi 15 Ultra reinforce its status as a high-performance flagship device, capable of sustaining heavy usage throughout the day while minimizing downtime during recharging.
Overall User Experience and Value Proposition
The Xiaomi 15 Ultra ultimately presents itself as a high-performance flagship that excels in many areas yet leaves some room for improvement. Its powerful hardware, cutting-edge display, and innovative camera system make it an enticing choice for users who demand the best in mobile photography and overall performance. However, certain software inconsistencies and the absence of some refined features—such as the manually variable aperture found in its predecessor—temper the overall experience. For many, the device represents a compelling blend of power and visual appeal, but it may not completely revolutionize the way you capture and share images.
In terms of value, the Xiaomi 15 Ultra finds itself in direct competition with other premium devices like the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra and the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max. With a starting price of 1,299 British pounds for the 16GB/512GB model and 1,499 pounds for the 16GB/1TB variant, it is positioned as a high-end device that justifies its cost with an extensive list of features and top-tier performance.
The striking design, advanced camera capabilities, and robust connectivity options contribute to its overall appeal, though some compromises in software refinement and battery management may leave enthusiasts wishing for more. Nevertheless, for those who value a device that excels in both photography and performance, the Xiaomi 15 Ultra offers a competitive, if not entirely flawless, package.
For users who demand a flagship smartphone that can handle everyday tasks, deliver superb visuals, and offer an exceptional photographic experience, the Xiaomi 15 Ultra stands as a strong contender. Its ability to merge powerful hardware with innovative design elements makes it a versatile tool for both professional and personal use.
While the camera system may occasionally feel inconsistent—particularly in zoom modes—and the software might require a bit of tweaking to reach its full potential, the overall experience is one of high capability and robust performance. In a market where every device promises the moon, the Xiaomi 15 Ultra delivers a substantial portion of it, albeit with a few imperfections that are likely to be addressed in future updates.
Final Thoughts and Recommendations
In wrapping up this hands-on review, it is clear that the Xiaomi 15 Ultra is a formidable flagship smartphone that dares to push the boundaries of mobile photography and performance. With its striking design that emphasizes a camera-centric aesthetic, a powerhouse Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, and an expansive, high-resolution AMOLED display, it sets a high standard for what a premium device should offer. Despite some areas where it falls short—such as minor software glitches and the occasional inconsistency in its camera performance—the Xiaomi 15 Ultra remains a highly capable and attractive option for those who demand both style and substance from their mobile devices.
The device’s collaboration with Leica lends it an air of sophistication and expertise in photography, even if some of the expected refinements did not fully materialize. While it may not completely recapture the magic of its predecessor, the Xiaomi 14 Ultra, it still provides a remarkably comprehensive photographic toolkit that will satisfy most users. In addition, its performance in everyday tasks, coupled with robust connectivity and battery efficiency, ensures that it can serve as a reliable companion for both work and leisure.
For those in the market for a flagship smartphone that excels in photography, performance, and design, the Xiaomi 15 Ultra is a compelling choice. It offers a unique blend of cutting-edge technology and stylish craftsmanship that is hard to find elsewhere. However, potential buyers should be aware that certain trade-offs—such as a few software quirks and an occasionally over-processed camera output—may require some patience. If you are willing to overlook these minor imperfections in exchange for a device that delivers on most fronts, the Xiaomi 15 Ultra is well worth considering.
In conclusion, the Xiaomi 15 Ultra delivers a high-end experience that pushes the envelope of what modern smartphones can achieve. It stands out not only for its impressive hardware and display but also for its ambitious approach to mobile photography in collaboration with Leica. While it may not be perfect, it offers a level of performance and visual excellence that will satisfy even the most discerning users. If you are ready to invest in a device that combines robust performance with innovative photographic capabilities, the Xiaomi 15 Ultra is a device that deserves your attention.
