Xiaomi has once again cemented its position as a formidable competitor within the Android smartphone market, having recently unveiled its latest offerings - the Xiaomi 15 and Xiaomi 15 Ultra smartphones. This launch places the spotlight on advanced camera capabilities, appealing directly to photography enthusiasts and consumers seeking high-performance mobile devices.
The Xiaomi 15 Ultra, which succeeds the acclaimed Xiaomi 14 Ultra, was showcased at a grand event held on February 30, 2025, in Barcelona, Spain. Continuing its collaboration with the prestigious Leica brand, Xiaomi aims to leverage its expertise to deliver exceptional photographic experiences. CEO Matthias Harsch of Leica Camera was present to affirm the enduring partnership, stating, "The Xiaomi 15 Ultra continues to leverage our partnership with Leica, focusing on high-quality photographic capabilities."
The upgraded features of the Xiaomi 15 Ultra make it stand out. It boasts a cutting-edge 50MP main camera equipped with a one-inch Sony LYT-900 sensor featuring a fixed aperture of f/1.63. This is accompanied by the 50MP ultrawide camera, which has extended its equivalent focal length to 14mm with f/2.2 aperture. Two zoom options are available, including a 50MP floating telephoto camera with a 70mm equivalent lens and f/1.8 maximum aperture, and a groundbreaking 200MP periscope lens at 100mm with f/2.6 aperture. Such enhancements are significant, as they open up exciting possibilities for photographers, enabling them to capture images with precision under various lighting conditions.
For videographers, the Xiaomi 15 Ultra supports up to 8K video recording at 30fps and 4K at up to 120fps, integrating additional features like Dolby Vision and ultra-image stabilization for enhanced video quality. Powered by the formidable Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, the device is driven by efficiency, supporting extended usage thanks to its 5410mAh battery.
The new standard is also set by the Xiaomi 15, which, like its more advanced counterpart, features powerful imaging capabilities. The 15 includes notable improvements over the last generation, particularly concerning Artificial Intelligence enhancements. The main lens utilizes the same Leica-branded sensor theme but benefits from refined algorithms, especially with engaging features like the 'golden hour’ mode which enhances images taken during dawn and dusk.
Specifically, the Xiaomi 15 presents its own impressive suite of features. It contains a 50MP main camera with f/1.63 aperture, alongside the 50MP ultrawide and 50MP floating telephoto camera, providing diverse shooting options for users. This model also varies with respect to video performance, showcasing 8K video support similar to its sibling, albeit with maximum recording capabilities of 30fps. The device exhibits exceptional display qualities via its 6.36-inch AMOLED with 3200 nits peak brightness, making images vivid and visually appealing on screen.
Pricing has been set at £1,499 for the Xiaomi 15 Ultra with 16GB of RAM and 1TB of storage, and £1,299 for the 16GB and 512GB model. The more accessible Xiaomi 15 is priced at £899 for 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage or £999 for 512GB. These prices place Xiaomi's latest phones strategically to compete with flagship offerings from rival brands like Apple and Samsung, establishing the company as not only innovative but also as price competitive.
With these sophisticated models, Xiaomi aims to capture the attentions of consumers focused heavily on mobile photography and video creation. The introduction of the Xiaomi 15 and 15 Ultra is more than just the launch of new devices; it signifies Xiaomi's commitment to pushing boundaries and elevates user expectations within the smartphone sector. This move poses direct challenges to competitors, especially with the anticipated launch of similar competitive offerings from Samsung and other major players looming on the horizon.