Xiaomi has launched its flagship smartphone, the Xiaomi 15 Ultra, in Barcelona, featuring a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite processor and up to 16 GB of RAM. The device boasts a 6.67-inch AMOLED display with a QHD+ resolution and a 120 Hz refresh rate. The standout feature is its advanced camera system, including a 200-megapixel telephoto lens with adjustable focal lengths, enhancing photography capabilities. The phone is available in various colors and storage options, with special promotions during its launch.
Just days after its unveiling in China, Xiaomi has officially launched its flagship smartphone, the Xiaomi 15 Ultra, in Barcelona. This device is packed with premium features, including the cutting-edge Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite processor and up to 16 gigabytes of RAM, depending on the storage variant. The stunning AMOLED display measures 6.67 inches and boasts a QHD+ resolution, capable of delivering visuals at an impressive 120 Hertz refresh rate.
Our team has spent several days exploring the capabilities of this formidable competitor to the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra. In this initial review, we’ll share our insights, particularly focusing on the standout feature: the camera, which clearly dominates the design of the Ultra model.
Xiaomi 15 Ultra: Key Features Overview
Here’s a closer look at the Xiaomi 15 Ultra.
A significant portion of the back is dedicated to the camera module, which is notably larger than those found on many other flagship smartphones, contributing to a slight imbalance in weight. Unlike its predecessor, the Xiaomi 15, the manufacturer did not increase the battery size to mitigate this issue. The battery now holds 5,410 milliampere-hours compared to the previous 5,000, meaning photography enthusiasts may have to compromise on handling.
Camera with Versatile Focal Lengths
The camera arrangement of the Xiaomi 15 Ultra closely mirrors that of its forerunner. Featuring a 1-inch sensor, the main camera utilizes the Sony LYT-900, which is an upgrade that allows for adjustable focal lengths of 23, 28, and 35 millimeters. This flexibility enhances your creative control over image composition, as illustrated in the following examples.
The focal length range is further enhanced by additional cameras. The Xiaomi 15 Ultra includes a 50-megapixel ultra-wide-angle camera with a 14-millimeter focal length, a 50-megapixel telephoto lens offering 70 millimeters, and a new telephoto lens that boasts a remarkable 200-megapixel resolution at 100 millimeters.
This higher resolution not only delivers stunning detail in zoom shots during testing but also enables a virtual focal length extension to 200 millimeters through an innovative in-sensor zoom feature, allowing users to capture intricate details from significant distances—like the subtitles on a poster at Hamburg Kunsthalle, photographed from approximately 350 meters away.
Xiaomi 15 Ultra: Capturing Moments at Kunsthalle
Here’s an illustration of the zoom capabilities of the Xiaomi 15 Ultra.
The 200-megapixel lens also excels at capturing wildlife from a safe distance, making the Xiaomi 15 Ultra an excellent companion for a day at the zoo.
Exceptional Day and Night Telephoto Performance
The Xiaomi 15 Ultra’s camera showcases remarkable detail not just in bright daylight but also in lower light conditions. With the 200-megapixel telephoto lens, we were able to glimpse the Hamburg Elbphilharmonie without needing an entry ticket.
Xiaomi 15 Ultra: Experience at Hamburg Elbphilharmonie
Here’s another example of the impressive zoom capabilities.
In nighttime settings, however, the performance can vary, resulting in increased blurriness, as seen in our series of shots from Speicherstadt. Despite this, the details captured—especially on the right side of the images—remain impressive for a smartphone. For optimal results, utilizing a tripod or leaning against a sturdy surface while shooting is recommended.
Xiaomi 15 Ultra: Insights from Speicherstadt
Here’s a look at the zoom capabilities showcased in Speicherstadt.
One notable aspect in lower lighting situations is the inconsistency in color calibration across the sensors. The ultra-wide-angle camera, in particular, can appear somewhat misaligned. Xiaomi employs a mix of Samsung and Sony sensors in its camera array, and standardizing to a single sensor across all cameras could help. Nevertheless, this may not significantly affect everyday users who rarely shoot with all four cameras simultaneously.
HyperAI: Enhancing Your Photography
If a shot doesn’t come out as envisioned, you can leverage the power of ‘HyperAI’ for adjustments. This innovative feature consolidates Xiaomi’s artificial intelligence capabilities. Included in HyperAI is the ‘AI Image Enhancement’ tool, designed to refine your images. ‘AI Image Expansion’ allows for extending images, while ‘AI Eraser Pro’ can eliminate unwanted objects and people from your photos, and ‘AI Reflection Removal’ helps to clear reflections.
We have yet to test the effectiveness of these tools, as Xiaomi plans to unlock HyperAI through an upcoming software update. We’ll delve deeper into HyperAI in the second part of our review.
Conclusion
In summary, after several days of testing, we can confidently say that the camera performance of the Xiaomi 15 Ultra surpasses that of its predecessor. This improvement is attributed not only to the innovative 200-megapixel zoom lens but also to several smaller enhancements. For instance, a new coating on the camera module minimizes reflections, improving image quality when capturing brightly lit subjects.
Pricing and Availability
The Xiaomi 15 Ultra is now available for purchase in two different storage configurations:
Both models come in classic colors: ‘Black,’ ‘White,’ and ‘Silver Chrome.’ During the initial launch period, there will be exciting early-bird promotions, offering discounts and exclusive gifts.