Xiaomi introduces the flagship 15 Ultra smartphone as it nears its 15th anniversary.

      The new device comes with the Snapdragon 8 Elite processor. Credit: Xiaomi

      On Thursday, Xiaomi Group hosted a product launch in Beijing, where they revealed the Xiaomi 15 Ultra smartphone and the Xiaomi SU7 Ultra car. As the company’s most advanced smartphone to date, the Xiaomi 15 Ultra features the latest Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, a 200MP camera, a 2K display, a 6,000mAh battery, and advanced satellite communication support. During the event, Xiaomi CEO Lei Jun mentioned that April 2025 will signify the company’s 15th anniversary, emphasizing that Xiaomi will maintain its focus on building an ecosystem of smart devices, smart homes, and vehicles as part of its long-term strategy.

      Significance: By establishing a cohesive ecosystem, Xiaomi seeks to provide intelligent integration among devices, which may foster long-term growth and enhance its position as a key player in various technology sectors.

      Details: The Xiaomi 15 Ultra is offered in four colors: black, white, silver-black, and green. The flagship smartphone is priced starting at RMB 6,499 ($892). The device is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite processor and boasts a substantial 6,000mAh battery, which can last up to a day and a half under normal usage and supports approximately eight hours of video playback, according to the company. The phone features a 2K display with a brightness of 3,200 nits, an LTPO 1-120Hz adaptive refresh rate, and ultrasonic fingerprint recognition.

      The 15 Ultra includes a Leica quad-camera system, featuring a 50MP main camera with a 1-inch sensor, a 50MP ultra-wide lens, a 50MP telephoto lens, and a 200MP periscope lens. The 200MP periscope lens, utilizing a Samsung HP9 sensor and offering 4.3x periscope zoom, allows the phone to take clear photos at great distances.

      The new model supports two-way calls up to seven kilometers apart in areas lacking network coverage, provided both users have Xiaomi phones that support this feature. Additionally, Xiaomi stated that its latest smartphone is compatible with the Apple ecosystem, allowing the 15 Ultra to facilitate photo and file transfers from iPhone, iPad, and Mac devices.

      Context: At the launch event, Lei declared that Xiaomi’s R&D investment for 2025 is expected to hit RMB 30 billion ($4.12 billion), with 25% dedicated to AI and related fields. On February 14, Xiaomi integrated its phone operating system, HyperOS, with the domestic AI model DeepSeek-R1. post-integration, Xiaomi’s phone assistant can be activated by simply saying “Open DeepSeek” when in the presence of the smartphone.

      Jessie Wu is a tech reporter based in Shanghai, covering consumer electronics, semiconductors, and the gaming industry for TechNode. You can reach her via email at [email protected].