A Camera That Shines, A Design That Doesn’t
Last year, the Xiaomi 14 Ultra changed my perception of smartphone cameras. It became my go-to device for everything from holiday snapshots to professional product photography. Now, the Xiaomi 15 Ultra has arrived, improving on that formula with a new 200MP periscope lens while keeping most other camera features intact.
However, if there’s one area where Xiaomi hasn’t improved, it’s design. The 14 Ultra wasn’t exactly a beauty, but the 15 Ultra takes its asymmetrical, oversized camera module to an even more extreme level. While I can overlook its awkward aesthetics for the sake of its stellar camera performance, I wouldn’t blame anyone who feels differently.
Xiaomi 15 Ultra: At a Glance
Price: $1600
The Good:
Incredible camera performance, especially the periscope lens Flagship-level hardware and features Strong battery life
The Bad:
Uninspiring, bulky design Minimal upgrades beyond the periscope camera HyperOS can be frustrating
Camera: A Step Forward in Telephoto Excellence
The star of the show is, without a doubt, the camera system. Much like its predecessor, the 15 Ultra houses four cameras in a massive circular module. Xiaomi claims this evokes a classic Leica aesthetic, further reinforced by the optional Photography Kit accessory. But the design feels more like a forced accommodation for the upgraded hardware rather than a stylistic choice.
The big upgrade this year is the 200MP periscope lens, featuring a 4.3x optical zoom, a large 1/1.4-inch-type sensor, and a fast f/2.6 aperture. While its zoom range has slightly decreased from last year’s 5x, the overall quality has improved significantly.
On the 14 Ultra, I frequently used the 3.2x telephoto lens, but on the 15 Ultra, the periscope lens is simply irresistible. I often found myself stepping back from subjects just to use it, as it produces gorgeous natural depth and bokeh effects that are superior to the flattening impact of a primary lens. In bright lighting, shots remain sharp and vibrant even at 10x zoom, and decent results can be achieved up to 30x. Beyond that, aggressive sharpening kicks in, making extreme zoom levels less useful.
The Other Cameras: Slight Refinements
- Main Camera: 50MP Sony LYT-900 sensor, now with a fixed f/1.63 aperture instead of last year’s variable aperture. While this change slightly reduces versatility, real-world results remain outstanding.
- Regular Telephoto: 50MP sensor with 3x zoom, slightly down from last year’s 3.2x. This remains my most practical and frequently used lens.
- Ultrawide & Selfie Camera: Also 50MP each, but largely unchanged from the 14 Ultra. These are competent but not standout features.
In low light, Xiaomi has improved processing, but the difference isn’t night and day compared to last year’s model. The periscope lens, however, impresses with better detail retention, though it is more prone to glare and requires a steady hand for crisp shots.
Performance, Display & Battery Life: Flagship as Expected
Beyond the camera, the Xiaomi 15 Ultra delivers all the high-end specs you’d expect:
- Processor: Snapdragon 8 Elite
- RAM & Storage: 16GB RAM, up to 1TB storage
- Display: 6.73-inch 120Hz LTPO OLED panel
- Durability: IP68 rating with reinforced glass
Battery life is impressive, thanks to a 5,410mAh battery. Even during heavy use, including travel, photography, and hotspot tethering, I rarely worried about it running out. Charging is also fast, with 90W wired charging and 80W wireless speeds (with Xiaomi’s official charger). However, it lacks Qi2 support, a feature that many competitors are now offering.
Software: HyperOS Still Has Its Quirks
HyperOS, Xiaomi’s latest Android skin, runs on top of Android 15. While it’s an improvement in some areas, it still suffers from common issues found in Chinese-brand Android skins:
- Bloatware: Preinstalled Xiaomi-branded apps, some of which can’t be removed
- Limited Customization: Some settings, like adjusting the number of app icons per row, are harder to modify than before
- Overcomplicated UI: Simple tasks, like changing a wallpaper, require navigating through Xiaomi’s Themes app, which constantly pushes paid content
Overall, HyperOS isn’t a dealbreaker, but it lacks the polish of Samsung’s One UI or Google’s Pixel Experience. Xiaomi also lags behind in software updates, offering four years of Android OS updates and six years of security patches—decent, but still behind Samsung and Google.
Verdict: Beauty Is in the Eye of the Beholder
The Xiaomi 15 Ultra is a niche product aimed at mobile photography enthusiasts. If you’re willing to pay top dollar for the best smartphone camera available, it’s a fantastic choice. However, if you already own the Xiaomi 14 Ultra, the improvements may not be compelling enough to justify an upgrade.
The biggest drawback remains the design. It’s large, asymmetrical, and will likely turn heads—but not in a good way. If you can look past that, you’ll find a smartphone camera that delivers exceptional results, especially with its periscope lens.
Final Thoughts:
If you want the best camera on a smartphone, this is it. If you care about aesthetics, you might want to look elsewhere.
Agree to Continue: Xiaomi 15 Ultra’s Terms and Conditions
As with most modern devices, using the Xiaomi 15 Ultra requires agreeing to several terms and conditions:
Mandatory Agreements: Xiaomi’s User Agreement Xiaomi’s Privacy Policy Google’s Terms of Service (including its Privacy Policy) Google Play’s Terms of Service
Optional Agreements:
- Sending diagnostic data to Xiaomi
- Xiaomi services (AI, App Mall, user experience policies)
- Google Drive backup, location services, Wi-Fi scanning, and diagnostic data sharing
Total Count: 4 mandatory agreements, at least 8 optional ones.
Conclusion: An Ugly Phone with a Beautiful Camera
Ultimately, the Xiaomi 15 Ultra is a near-perfect camera phone trapped in an unattractive body. If photography is your priority, it’s hard to beat. If not, there are plenty of other premium flagships that offer a better overall package.
