Xiaomi 15 Ultra (16GB + 512GB) Review | 197 Data compared

The Xiaomi 15 Ultra is a high-end, Leica-engineered flagship featuring a massive 1-inch main sensor and a 200-megapixel periscope telephoto lens for exceptional, versatile, and detailed mobile photography. Driven by the Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, the device is praised for its professional-grade,, 4K 60fps 10-bit LOG video capabilities, and the optional "Legend Edition" Photography Kit, though it is physically heavy and thick. Despite spectacular general photography, the device is criticized for downgrading the ultra-wide lens, removing the variable aperture found on its predecessor, and high-contrast,, glare-prone image processing. At a £1,299 price point, it faces, stiff competition with a, shorter, four-year, software support cycle compared to rivals.

The Xiaomi 15 Ultra is characterized by Android Authority as a premier photography-focused device, featuring a versatile quad-camera system with a 1-inch main sensor and a standout 200MP periscope telephoto lens. Performance is driven by the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, while the 5,410mAh battery provides excellent endurance with 90W wired and 80W wireless charging. Despite these strengths, the device is heavy and thick, with HyperOS 2.0 software still containing unwanted bloatware.

The Xiaomi 15 Ultra is hailed as a premier photography-focused smartphone, featuring a 200MP periscope lens, a Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, and a 6.73-inch AMOLED display, which collectively outperform competitors in imaging and performance. Pros include an exceptional camera system, a 17-hour battery life with 90W fast charging, and an optional photography kit for better handling. However, cons involve the removal of the variable aperture, a slippery back design, a bulky form factor, and a less competitive, four-year software support commitment.

The GBAtemp review identifies the Xiaomi 15 Ultra as a premium "flex" device that blurs the line between smartphone and professional camera, highlighting its Leica quad-camera system—featuring a 50MP main sensor and 200MP periscope lens—and the optional, highly recommended EUR 199 Photography Kit. Performance is top-tier, driven by the Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, which handles demanding gaming and high-end emulation with ease alongside a 6.73-inch 120Hz AMOLED display. Despite these strengths, drawbacks include the lack of an included charging adapter, bloatware within HyperOS, poor emulator optimization for Nintendo Switch, and a high cost.

The Xiaomi 15 Ultra is a photography-focused powerhouse, featuring a 200MP periscope lens, a 1-inch main sensor, and a high-resolution 6.73-inch OLED display. Performance is driven by the latest Snapdragon chip, delivering top-tier benchmark scores while remaining cool. However, the device is criticized for a weak ultra-wide camera and the removal of the physical variable aperture. Practical drawbacks highlighted by the review include significant pre-installed bloatware and the omission of the charger from the box. While the phone supports 90W fast charging, actual testing showed slower speeds than expected. The device lacks some anticipated in-house AI features at launch, marking a point of frustration for users looking for a fully realized, premium experience. www.nextpit.comDespite these software and accessory-related cons, the camera system's superior zoom capabilities and overall image quality make it a strong recommendation for photography enthusiasts. It is a powerful contender, though owners of the previous generation might find the upgrade less compelling at full price.

CGMagazine describes the Xiaomi 15 Ultra as a flagship smartphone excelling in photography and performance, featuring a 6.73-inch AMOLED display and a Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset. Its camera system is highlighted as class-leading, particularly its zoom capabilities and 8K video recording. Key pros include its exceptional zoom performance and a Photography Kit accessory. However, the device's substantial physical size, especially the camera bump, is a significant con, potentially interfering with accessories and causing the phone to become top-heavy and warm during intensive use.

According to a Stuff.tv review, Ultra is designed as a "photography-first" device with a focus on hardware, featuring a quad-lens system -inch main sensor. Pros include outstanding photo quality and an optional Photography Kit, while cons are its thick, heavy build and prominent camera bulge. The phone also Elite processor, -inch LTPO AMOLED display, W wireless charging, though battery life is not class-leading. offers AI tools, but software support is noted as a con, along with the charging and a reflective screen. Despite a high price, the review positions it as the top choice for photography enthusiasts.

The Xiaomi 15 Ultra is highlighted as a powerful photography smartphone with a quad-camera system featuring a 1-inch main sensor and a 200MP periscope telephoto lens. It delivers top-tier performance with the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, a 6.73-inch AMOLED display, and a large 5,410mAh battery with fast charging. Noted drawbacks include inconsistent camera HDR processing, potential overheating during benchmarks, and HyperOS software that is less refined than competitors, alongside only four years of OS updates.

The Xiaomi 15 Ultra is presented as a high-end device tailored for photography enthusiasts, featuring a 1-inch Leica main sensor and a 200-megapixel telephoto lens. Praised for its vibrant display and powerful Snapdragon chip, its camera's auto mode is noted as requiring manual effort for consistent results, making it less suitable for casual users. A notable drawback is the removal of the variable aperture found in the previous model, replaced by less effective software. While its battery is sufficient, it falls short of some rivals, and the phone's bulk is a potential ergonomic issue. The high price point and the camera's focus on manual control position the Xiaomi 15 Ultra as a niche product for dedicated mobile photographers.

According to WIRED, the Xiaomi 15 and 15 Ultra are high-performance flagships with incremental hardware updates, featuring Snapdragon 8 Elite processors and bright AMOLED displays. Pros include the Ultra's advanced quad-lens camera system with a 200MP telephoto lens, strong battery life with fast charging, and polished HyperOS software with new AI features. Cons highlighted in the review include bloatware, a "dull" design for the standard 15, lack of Qi2 support, the Ultra's loss of a variable aperture lens, and neither phone being officially available in the United States. Xiaomi 15 5G Smartphone£749.00£999.00& more prices4.8(1.7k)Xiaomi 15 Ultra£1,299.99& more prices4.7(941)

The Xiaomi 15 Ultra is highlighted for its camera-inspired design and a Leica-tuned camera system featuring a 1-inch main sensor and a 200MP periscope telephoto lens. It boasts a 6.73-inch AMOLED display with high brightness and is powered by a Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset. However, the review notes drawbacks including the lack of an included charging brick, lackluster AI performance, images that can appear slightly dark, and HyperOS software criticized for bloatware. Despite being a strong competitor with an optional Photography Kit, its major limitation is restricted availability in markets like the US and Australia.

TechRadar reviews the Xiaomi 15 Ultra as a top-tier flagship excelling in photography with its Leica-branded quad-camera system and delivering fast performance via a Snapdragon 8 Elite processor and a 6.73-inch 2K AMOLED display. Key pros include its camera hardware and overall performance, while cons include the loss of the predecessor's variable aperture. Drawbacks include underwhelming real-world battery life, pre-installed software bloatware, limited long-term OS updates, and lack of official availability in markets like the US or Australia.

PhoneArena describes the Xiaomi 15 Ultra as a top-tier flagship heavily focused on photography, notable for its impressive camera hardware and strong overall performance. While excelling in camera performance and raw power, the phone has drawbacks in software support and audio quality. The device features a superb quad-camera system co-engineered with Leica, but its design is thick and heavy, the top speaker is weaker than the bottom one, and it offers fewer major OS updates than competitors.

The DXOMARK retest of the Xiaomi 15 Ultra highlights top-tier still photography, particularly excelling with the best tele-zoom performance to date, driven by 50MP and 200MP modules. Key strengths include high texture retention, low noise, and wide dynamic range, although the f/1.63 aperture causes a narrow depth of field that often leaves background subjects in group shots blurry. Additional drawbacks identified include occasional warm color casts, ghosting, and, in dim conditions, some motion blur. In video, the device offers accurate exposure and saturated colors in 4K/60fps Dolby Vision HDR. However, it falls behind top rivals due to less effective stabilization and occasional autofocus stepping. Furthermore, low-light video lacks the fine detail seen in stills and shows instability during rapid scene changes.

The Xiaomi 15 Ultra, reviewed by Galaxus, is a premium flagship defined by its Leica-engineered quad-camera system, featuring a 1-inch main sensor and a 200MP periscope telephoto lens that offers exceptional image quality. Pros include superior, consistent performance across varied focal lengths, a bright 3200-nit AMOLED display, and the powerful Snapdragon 8 Elite chip. However, the device faces cons, including disappointing battery life that shows only marginal improvement over previous models despite a larger capacity, along with inconsistent low-light performance on the ultra-wide lens. The design is hindered by a top-heavy, "volcano-shaped" camera module, and the software experience is marred by pre-installed bloatware and ads in HyperOS 2.0. In conclusion, the device is positioned as a specialized tool for photography enthusiasts, offering industry-leading imaging capabilities in a sturdy,, water-resistant chassis. While it excels in hardware, the combination of high price, average battery life, and software drawbacks limits its appeal as a general-purpose, top-tier smartphone.