Xiaomi 15: A Compact Powerhouse
Xiaomi has recently introduced the Xiaomi 15, a refined upgrade to its predecessor, keeping a compact yet premium design. This flagship smartphone, developed in collaboration with Leica, promises top-notch camera performance. Featuring the Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, a high-refresh-rate AMOLED display, and an improved battery capacity, it aims to compete with the Samsung Galaxy S25 and Google Pixel 9. But does it justify its price? Let’s take a closer look.
Design: Subtle Refinements, Better Grip
Xiaomi sticks with a compact 6.36-inch design, retaining its sleek form factor while introducing a matte finish that enhances grip. The square camera module remains, but the flash has been repositioned on the body.
At 191 grams, it offers a comfortable weight balance. It’s heavier than the Galaxy S25 (162g) but lighter than the Pixel 9 (198g). The IP68 rating ensures durability, protecting it from dust and water exposure.
Display: Brighter and More Responsive
The 6.36-inch AMOLED screen boasts a peak brightness of 2,600 nits, making outdoor visibility effortless. With a 1-120 Hz adaptive refresh rate, it ensures a fluid experience while scrolling and gaming.
Compared to its rivals, the Galaxy S25 offers a 6.2-inch AMOLED panel with 1080×2300 resolution, while the Pixel 9 features a 6.3-inch OLED display with 1080×2424 resolution and 2,700 nits peak brightness. Xiaomi 15 also sees a touch sampling rate increase to 300 Hz, making it more responsive.
Performance: A Powerhouse with AI Capabilities
Xiaomi 15 runs on the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, ensuring a smooth and responsive experience. This processor offers a clear advantage over the Tensor G4 chip inside the Pixel 9. However, the Galaxy S25’s slightly overclocked 4.47 GHz prime core may offer a marginal speed edge.
With 12GB LPDDR5X RAM and 512GB UFS 4.0 storage, Xiaomi 15 ensures seamless multitasking and ample storage. The HyperOS 2.0 (based on Android 15) provides a cleaner UI, allowing users to uninstall many pre-installed apps, except Google services.
AI-driven features like AI Writing, AI Speech Recognition, and AI Interpreter enhance usability. However, these require a Xiaomi account and cloud connectivity, unlike the Galaxy S25’s on-device AI.
Camera: Leica’s Precision in Every Shot
Xiaomi 15 features a triple-camera system, including:
- 50 MP main sensor (Light Fusion 900 sensor)
- 50 MP ultrawide lens
- 50 MP telephoto lens with 2.6x optical zoom
The telephoto lens stands out, offering clear zoomed-in shots, though the optical zoom is reduced from 3.2x on Xiaomi 14. It competes well against the Galaxy S25’s cameras, delivering richer colors, while Pixel 9 excels in AI-powered image processing.
Low-light performance is impressive, with the Night mode enhancing clarity. The 32 MP front camera captures sharp selfies with well-balanced edge detection, though low-light images may appear softer.
Battery: Bigger Capacity, Fast Charging
Xiaomi 15 houses a 5,240 mAh battery, larger than:
- Xiaomi 14’s 4,610 mAh
- Galaxy S25’s 4,000 mAh
- Pixel 9’s 4,700 mAh
Charging remains 90W wired, with a charger included in the box, unlike its competitors. The device charges fully in around 50-55 minutes.
Verdict: Should You Consider the Xiaomi 15?
Xiaomi 15 refines its predecessor with:
- A powerful Snapdragon 8 Elite chip
- A refined telephoto lens
- An enhanced battery
- A sleek matte finish
For a price of ₹64,999, it challenges the latest Samsung Galaxy S25, which offers better AI features, and the OnePlus 13, known for its fluid software experience.
If you already own a Xiaomi 14, the upgrade is not essential unless you prefer and enhanced battery life and zoom enhancements matter to you. However, for those seeking a premium compact phone with Leica cameras, Xiaomi 15 comes across as a great pick.
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