The Breakdown
The smartphone market has long been dominated by titans like Apple and Samsung, but Xiaomi continues to carve out its own niche, delivering high-end devices with competitive pricing. The Xiaomi 15, the latest iteration in the brand’s compact flagship lineup, aims to refine an already impressive formula. With its top-tier hardware, improved battery life, and upgraded cameras, it seems poised to challenge the likes of the Google Pixel 9 Pro and the Samsung Galaxy S25.
However, with a price increase compared to its predecessor and the lingering issue of Xiaomi’s HyperOS, does the Xiaomi 15 truly justify its existence? Let’s dive into the details.
Design & Build: A Familiar Face
Pros:
- Premium build quality
- Compact and comfortable to hold
- New Liquid Silver finish option
Cons:
- Repetitive design
- Still no major distinguishing features
If you were hoping for a bold design overhaul, you might be disappointed. The Xiaomi 15 looks strikingly similar to its predecessors, particularly the Xiaomi 14. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing—the design is sleek, premium, and well-constructed—but it does little to stand out in a sea of nearly identical smartphones.
The device features a flat metal frame sandwiched between two glass panels, with rounded corners for a comfortable grip. Xiaomi has introduced its own version of Corning’s Gorilla Glass, dubbed Xiaomi Shield Glass, claiming it to be 10 times more drop-resistant than the previous iteration. While real-world durability tests are tricky to confirm, the phone held up well during everyday use.
Color options include classic Black, White, Green, and a unique Liquid Silver variant with a shimmering heat-bent glass effect. At 152.3 x 71.2 x 8.08mm and 191g, it’s slightly heavier than Samsung’s Galaxy S25 but still compact enough to use with one hand.
Display & Audio: Sharp, Bright, and Punchy
Pros:
- Brilliantly color-accurate AMOLED panel
- LTPO 120Hz refresh rate
- Strong peak brightness (3200 nits)
Cons:
- No major upgrades from the Xiaomi 14
Xiaomi continues to impress with its displays, and the Xiaomi 15 is no exception. The 6.36-inch AMOLED screen maintains a crisp 2670 x 1200 resolution, offering a sweet spot between Full HD+ and QHD+. It’s an LTPO panel, meaning it dynamically adjusts between 1Hz and 120Hz to optimize battery life.
With a peak brightness of 3200 nits, the display is visible even under direct sunlight, outperforming many of its competitors. HDR10+ and Dolby Vision support further enhance the media consumption experience. Whether you’re watching Netflix in HDR or scrolling through social media, colors are vibrant without being oversaturated.
The stereo speakers, while loud and clear, still lack the depth of bass found in Apple’s iPhone or even Samsung’s premium devices. But for a compact flagship, audio performance is commendable.
Performance & Software: Blazing Fast but Held Back by HyperOS
Pros:
- Snapdragon 8 Elite delivers top-tier performance
- 12GB RAM ensures smooth multitasking
- Ultrasonic fingerprint sensor is quick and accurate
Cons:
- HyperOS remains cluttered and unpolished
- Unnecessary bloatware
Under the hood, the Xiaomi 15 packs Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon 8 Elite, making it one of the fastest smartphones on the market. Whether you’re gaming, multitasking, or editing high-resolution videos, performance is buttery smooth. Benchmark scores place it on par with the Galaxy S25 and OnePlus 13, significantly outperforming the Pixel 9 Pro’s Tensor G4.
However, HyperOS 2.0, Xiaomi’s latest Android-based skin, remains a point of contention. While fluid and customizable, it’s still overly cluttered, with a confusing split notification shade and a plethora of pre-installed apps. Google’s Gemini AI is integrated, but Xiaomi’s own AI tools feel underdeveloped compared to Samsung’s Galaxy AI features.
Camera System: Leica Partnership Continues to Impress
Pros:
- Triple 50MP sensors with Leica tuning
- New 60mm floating telephoto lens
- Excellent portrait and zoom capabilities
Cons:
- AI image processing can be inconsistent
Xiaomi’s partnership with Leica continues to elevate its camera performance. The Xiaomi 15 retains a triple 50MP rear camera setup, featuring:
- A 50MP f/1.62 main sensor with OIS
- A 50MP f/2.2 ultra-wide lens
- A 50MP f/2.0 telephoto lens with a 60mm focal length
The main sensor delivers stunning detail, accurate colors, and a strong dynamic range. Leica’s two signature modes—Authentic and Vibrant—let you toggle between a more natural look and an eye-catching aesthetic.
The telephoto lens, now at 60mm (compared to 75mm on the Xiaomi 14), captures detailed shots up to 5x hybrid zoom. While the optical zoom takes a small step back, the overall image quality has improved, with better dynamic range and noise reduction. Macro capabilities are also enhanced, allowing close-up shots from 10cm away.
For selfies, the 32MP front-facing camera is reliable, locking onto faces quickly and adjusting framing when necessary. Xiaomi’s portrait mode remains one of the best in the business, offering various focal lengths and bokeh styles.
Battery Life & Charging: A Powerhouse in a Small Package
Pros:
- 5240mAh battery outlasts competitors
- 90W wired and 50W wireless charging
Cons:
- No significant gains in real-world battery life
Despite its compact size, the Xiaomi 15 boasts a 5240mAh battery—larger than the Galaxy S25 Ultra’s 5000mAh cell. Xiaomi claims a 25% improvement in efficiency, though real-world usage shows a more modest 9% increase compared to the Xiaomi 14.
On a heavy day (4-5 hours screen-on time), the phone consistently ends with around 40-50% battery left, making it a solid two-day device for moderate users.
Charging remains one of Xiaomi’s strengths. The (not included) 90W wired charger juices up the phone from 0 to 68% in 30 minutes, while 50W wireless charging remains industry-leading (though you’ll need Xiaomi’s proprietary charger to achieve this speed).
Pricing & Verdict: Worth the Upgrade?
The Xiaomi 15 starts at £899 (256GB) and £999 (512GB)—a noticeable £50-£100 increase over its predecessor. Despite this bump, it still undercuts rivals like the Galaxy S25 (£999) and the Pixel 9 Pro (£1,099) while offering better performance and charging capabilities.
However, the stagnant design and continued software quirks hold it back. If you can tolerate HyperOS, the Xiaomi 15 is one of the best compact flagships available today. But if a clean UI and long-term software support matter more, the Pixel 9 Pro remains a compelling alternative.
