Xiaomi 15 Ultra review: It nearly lives up to our lofty expectations.

      **Xiaomi 15 Ultra**

      **MSRP:** $1,640.00

      “The Xiaomi 15 Ultra is a powerful smartphone featuring a distinctive design, the latest technology, and impressive camera capabilities.”

      **Pros:**

      - Distinctive camera-inspired design

      - Top-tier performance processor

      - Bright display

      - Impressive camera specifications

      - Two-day battery life

      **Cons:**

      - Camera lacks some distinctive quality

      - Software can be complex and occasionally unreliable

      I had high hopes for the Xiaomi 15 Ultra. As the successor to my favorite camera phone of 2024, it comes from a fascinating collaboration in mobile photography—Xiaomi and Leica. My expectations aren’t the only hurdle for the phone; how can Xiaomi improve upon it? After spending some time with it, I realized I was perhaps too optimistic, but this isn't a criticism of the device itself. Let me elaborate.

      **Specs**

      Xiaomi 15 Ultra

      - **Dimensions:** 161.3 x 75.3 x 9.48mm

      - **Weight:** 229 grams

      - **Display:** 6.73-inch AMOLED, 1-120Hz, 3200 x 1440, peak brightness of 3200 nits, 1920Hz PWM dimming

      - **Operating System:** Xiaomi HyperOS 2, Android 15

      - **Storage Options:** 512GB or 1TB

      - **Processor and RAM:** Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite, 16GB RAM

      - **Cameras:** 50MP main, 50MP wide-angle, 50MP telephoto, 200MP periscope telephoto, 32MP front camera

      - **Durability:** Aluminum frame, Xiaomi Shield Glass 2.0, IP68 rating

      - **Battery and Charging:** 5,410mAh, 90W HyperCharge wired, 80W HyperCharge wireless

      - **Colors:** Black and Chrome, Black, White

      - **Pricing:** £1,299 for 16GB/512GB, £1,499 for 16GB/1TB

      **Xiaomi 15 Ultra: Design**

      The Xiaomi 15 Ultra resembles a camera from the rear, and I find its design to be excellent. The upper section is metal, while the lower part has a panel of vegan leather framed by metal. This classic and stylish design communicates the phone's uniqueness. The large camera module is well-organized and symmetrically arranged, ensuring it does not overpower the phone's overall sleek design. I appreciate the modest "Ultra" logo, the prominent Leica branding, and the coin-edge trim around the camera module. For those preferring a less camera-like appearance, Xiaomi also offers the 15 Ultra in black and white.

      However, the phone's size and weight are noticeable. It feels somewhat top-heavy in portrait mode, is thick at 9.5mm, and its 229-gram weight is definitely felt in your pocket. The 3D curved edges of the screen help it sit comfortably in hand, and the substantial camera module provides balance by resting against your fingers. Overall, I find the design appealing and a significant advancement over the 14 Ultra, while also ensuring durability with an IP68 water and dust resistance rating.

      **Xiaomi 15 Ultra: Display and Performance**

      I have encountered no visibility issues with the expansive 6.73-inch AMOLED display, even in bright sunlight, and I believe it hasn't even reached its 3200 nits peak brightness. The refresh rate ranges from 1 to 120Hz, and I've been using it at the maximum 3200 x 1440 pixel resolution throughout my tests, which is relevant when discussing battery life. Much like the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra and the OnePlus 13, the display performs nearly flawlessly for video playback and gaming.

      The Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite processor is immensely powerful, leaving me to question whether anyone will ever be able to fully utilize its capabilities. There are no lags during typical use; however, I have experienced some application compatibility issues. For instance, certain games have occasionally frozen during initial use, making the screen unresponsive unless exiting the app. Restarting the phone resolves the issue, and it doesn’t seem to recur.

      I've used the phone in the U.K., and connectivity has been excellent, effortlessly picking up 5G signals where others struggled, and call quality is sharp. The phone supports Wi-Fi 7 and maintains a strong connection with my Wi-Fi 6 router. The stereo speakers are quite loud, the face unlock function has a broad field of view, and the in-display fingerprint reader works well, though it's not the fastest I've encountered. All in all, as a phone, the Xiaomi 15 Ultra excels and delivers the expected features of a flagship device. But does its camera performance match its stylish appearance?

      **Xiaomi 15 Ultra: Camera**

      The camera specifications for the