Xiaomi 15 Ultra: A Game Changer for Photography Enthusiasts with Leica Expertise

The Xiaomi 15 Ultra, a third-generation smartphone designed for photography enthusiasts, is a notable player in India’s smartphone market. Today’s premium smartphone buyers have an abundance of choices, particularly those interested in devices that excel in mobile photography. Among the numerous options available, such as the Xiaomi 15 Ultra and Xiaomi 15, other contenders include the Vivo X200 Pro, Vivo X200, Oppo Find X8, and Oppo Find X8 Pro.

If asked which camera-centric phone to buy nearly five years ago, I would have pointed users towards the iPhone or the top models from Samsung. However, that scenario has changed. This indicates an expanding market segment and a positive outcome for consumers.

The Xiaomi 15 Ultra builds on the successes of its predecessor, the Xiaomi 14 Ultra, showcasing an effective progression (and considering the Xiaomi 13 Pro as well). Xiaomi has successfully adhered to their successful strategy while ensuring the inclusion of the Leica brand. This branding serves as a prestigious marker within the photography-focused category, and the presence of such a renowned camera maker’s logo is a source of confidence.

So, if you’re on the lookout for a flagship camera smartphone, is the Xiaomi 15 Ultra the right choice? You’ll find the answer in my review.

Xiaomi 15 Ultra Design: Inspired by Classic Leica Cameras

• Available in a single Silver Chrome color
• Weighs 229 grams, making it somewhat heavy
• Measures 9.48mm in thickness

It’s clear that the Xiaomi 15 Ultra targets photography fans. The iconic design and aesthetics borrowed from the legendary Leica rangefinder series are impressive, positioning the 15 Ultra prominently in the market. The back features a combination of aerospace-grade glass fiber and PU leather, presenting a luxurious and timeless appearance. The unibody structure offers a sturdy feel and an excellent grip.

Xiaomi 14 Ultra (left) and Xiaomi 15 Ultra (right)

 

The substantial camera setup at the back of the 15 Ultra may appear excessive for someone seeking a camera-centric phone. The large circular module accommodates four cameras. Weighing in at 229 grams, the Xiaomi 15 Ultra initially took some getting used to, as I adjusted to using it with one hand after a couple of days. The aesthetic appeal is high, and the combination of PU leather and glass fiber helps facilitate a comfortable one-handed grip.

For added protection against accidental drops and daily wear, Xiaomi has enhanced the 15 Ultra’s durability with the Xiaomi Guardian Structure, which incorporates an aluminum frame, Corning Gorilla Glass 7i for the camera module, and Xiaomi Shield Glass 2.0 on the front.

Comparison of rear designs: Xiaomi 14 Ultra (left) and Xiaomi 15 Ultra (right)

 

The device features a quad-curved display that adds character, with slim bezels perfect for consuming multimedia. An IP68 rating is included for dust and water resistance. Some users may critique Xiaomi for not providing an IP69 rating for the Ultra, but unless you’re frequently using your phone around water jets, this might not be a significant concern. Additionally, Xiaomi has switched to an ultrasonic fingerprint scanner from the optical version found in its predecessor.

One aspect I particularly appreciate about the Xiaomi 15 Ultra is the meticulous attention to detail. The addition of the Ultra emblem at the back enhances its allure, making it an impeccable design for photography enthusiasts.

In summary, the 15 Ultra stands out as the quintessential camera phone for enthusiasts.

 

Photography Kit Legend Edition — It’s essential to mention the exclusive Photography Kit that accompanies the 15 Ultra. This camera-themed accessory boosts the already impressive Xiaomi 15 Ultra’s capabilities. The kit contains a detachable shutter button and thumb grip, along with a 2000mAh battery pack to extend your shooting sessions. Additionally, a grip case is included to improve the overall aesthetics and handling of the phone. A customization dial for adjusting exposure value, shutter speed, ISO, and white balance, along with a zoom lever, significantly enhances your zooming experience. A convenient quick video button allows immediate video recording with customizable aspect ratios and auto exposure options. The kit also features a customizable UI style Fastshot mode for rapid shooting, and the entire package is IP54 rated, including the battery pack. While the kit undeniably adds value to the overall offering, it also elevates the entire experience, making the phone a notable attention-grabber.

The device is available in Silver Chrome and weighs 229 grams

 

In essence, if you’re eager to unlock the full photography potential of your 15 Ultra, the kit is a worthwhile investment.

Xiaomi 15 Ultra Display: Among the Best

• Delivers peak brightness of 3200 nits
• Compatible with HDR10+ and Dolby Vision
• Protected by Xiaomi Shield Glass 2.0

The 15 Ultra retains the display technology from its predecessor, ranking among the best seen in Xiaomi devices thus far. A significant enhancement has been made to peak brightness, increasing from 3000 nits in the 14 Ultra to 3200 nits in the 15 Ultra. While the difference may not be noticeable in daily use, a higher brightness figure is advantageous. This improvement positions Xiaomi ahead of competitors like the Pixel 9 Pro XL (3000 nits), Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra (2600 nits), and even iPhone 16 Pro Max (2000 nits). It does fall short in comparison to Vivo X200 Pro (4500 nits), Find X8 Pro (4500 nits), and OnePlus 13 (4500 nits).

Features a 6.73-inch LTPO display with a resolution of 1440×3200 pixels

 

The display supports an adaptive 120Hz refresh rate that can dial down to 1Hz. As expected from a flagship Android smartphone, it also provides HDR10+ and Dolby Vision compatibility. The device supports Widevine L1 content, enabling you to enjoy HDR content on widely-used OTT platforms.

The 6.73-inch OLED panel serves as an excellent display for gaming, binge-watching, or web browsing. It includes 1920Hz PWM dimming, DC dimming, and wet touch technology for better use when hands are sweaty. Additionally, the 15 Ultra has TUV Rheinland Low Blue Light certification and similar accolades to facilitate comfortable nighttime reading on your device. All in all, the 15 Ultra features an outstanding display that shouldn’t leave you wanting more.

The display’s key feature is its support for 3200 nits peak brightness

 

Xiaomi 15 Ultra Cameras: A Pinnacle of Excellence

• 50MP Leica 23mm primary camera with 1-inch LYT-900 sensor
• 200MP ultra Leica telephoto with 100mm equivalent focal length
• 50MP 70mm Leica floating telephoto
• 50MP ultra-wide camera with a 115-degree field of view
• 32MP in-display selfie camera

The 14 Ultra excelled in photography last year, leading me to wonder how the 15 Ultra could outdo its predecessor. One major enhancement is the introduction of a new 200MP telephoto sensor, setting it apart, as no competitors offer similar capabilities. The camera app offers zoom options of 0.6x, 1x, 2x, 3x, and 4.3x. However, there’s a minor drawback with the absence of a variable aperture in the 15 Ultra, which isn’t necessarily a deal-breaker.

Let’s dive into the camera samples, starting with those taken in daylight. The Xiaomi 15 Ultra captures exceptional daylight images that boast ample detail, precise exposure, and a broad dynamic range. The Leica color science is apparent in the outcomes and is undeniably impressive for smartphone photography aficionados. The hues are vibrant and appear sharp, with natural skin tones and minimal noise in photos taken during the day.

The company is offering the Photography Kit Legend Edition as a separate purchase for the Xiaomi 15 Ultra

 

The transition between 1x and 2x zoom does not compromise photo quality, an admirable achievement. The images taken with the 2x lens also showcase remarkable quality.

Xiaomi 15 Ultra daylight camera samples (click images to expand)

 

 

Portrait mode is a standout feature of Xiaomi’s Ultra devices, and the 15 Ultra excels in this area. Portraits featuring individuals are beautifully captured, showcasing excellent depth estimation, subject isolation, and natural blurring.

Xiaomi 15 Ultra portrait camera sample (click image to expand)

 

When evaluating zoom functionality, the Xiaomi 15 Ultra is undoubtedly among the top smartphones of the year. I managed to photograph a distant ship visible only as a dot at 0.6x, thanks to the long-range telephoto camera. Unlike premium models such as the iPhone, which falter beyond a 25x zoom, the Xiaomi 15 Ultra impressed me with its robust zoom capabilities. If you’re passionate about capturing zoom shots, this device is a must-have. The 3x zoom images are vibrant, with exceptional colors, dynamic range, and detail. The 4.3x telephoto option is even more suitable for portraits, offering ample space to fit your subject in the frame. The results below truly highlight the impressive capabilities of the 15 Ultra.

A distant ship appears as a dot at 0.6x (click image to expand)

The ship becomes clearly visible with legible details, showcasing the 15 Ultra’s zoom capability

Xiaomi 15 Ultra zoom examples (click images to expand)

 

 

Additionally, the phone performs admirably for close-up images, utilizing the 3x telephoto lens. The close-up pictures exhibit impressive details and natural-looking results with accurate colors.

Xiaomi 15 Ultra showcases its prowess with close-up shots (click images to expand)

 

Within this camera array, the ultra-wide lens on the 15 Ultra could have achieved slightly better performance. It’s not disappointing, as it captures pleasant images with good dynamic range, but when contrasting it with the primary camera, it falls short in overall quality.

Xiaomi 15 Ultra ultrawide samples (click images to expand)

 

 

Moreover, there are Leica photographic styles — Leica Authentic and Leica Vibrant — which enhance your portraits and give them an edge on social media.

Xiaomi 15 Ultra low-light samples (click images to expand)

 

This is where it truly shines. The night photography capabilities of the Xiaomi 15 Ultra are exceptional. The device manages to capture high levels of detail in dimly lit environments. Throughout my testing, the 15 Ultra maintained highlights, sharpness, shadows, and fine details while minimizing noise in low-light conditions. It effectively preserves intricate textures.

Xiaomi 15 Ultra selfie sample (click image to expand)

 

If there’s one area where improvement is needed in the camera department, it’s the selfie capabilities. While not poor, it’s also not particularly impressive. Given that this phone is designed for photography aficionados, one would expect more from every camera sensor. The front-facing camera performs adequately during daylight, capturing fine details, but in low-light situations, it can be somewhat unpredictable.

Additionally, the camera phone is designed for videography, boasting 4K 60fps log video recording across all focal lengths and 4K 120fps cinematic slow-motion video capture with both the main and periscope telephoto lenses. The video quality is outstanding; however, the extent to which a content creator incorporates it into their workflow will depend on their ecosystem of devices for efficient video editing.

Overall, the Xiaomi 15 Ultra is poised to be the benchmark for camera smartphones in 2025, with competitors from Oppo and Vivo already brainstorming their new flagship models. While the 14 Ultra already performed admirably in the photography department, the 15 Ultra pushes the boundaries further with the introduction of two telephoto cameras, establishing itself as the ultimate point-and-shoot smartphone for photography enthusiasts. If you’re looking to elevate your game, consider investing in the Photography Kit Legend Edition, which takes your experience to another level.

Xiaomi 15 Ultra Performance: Exceptionally Reliable

• Snapdragon 8 Elite Mobile Platform
• 16GB RAM + 512GB storage (single configuration)
• HyperOS 2.0 based on Android 15
• Promises 4 years of software updates and 6 years of security support

The Xiaomi 15 Ultra is among the select devices launched this year powered by Qualcomm’s elite Snapdragon 8 mobile platform. In day-to-day tasks, it handles everything thrown at it effortlessly, be it multitasking, streaming, photo and video editing, gaming, or any imaginable activity. For reference, I had 32 apps running concurrently, and switching between them was seamless — performance was top-notch, as anticipated.

The device is offered in a single RAM and storage configuration in India — 16GB of RAM paired with 512GB of storage. However, I received a review unit with 1TB storage, which is exclusive to China. The 15 Ultra features LPDDR5X RAM and UFS 4.1 storage.

In India, the device is offered in a single RAM and storage configuration — 16GB + 512GB

 

Regarding biometrics, the ultrasonic fingerprint sensor is notably quicker compared to the one in the 14 Ultra. There’s also face unlocking, which performs well, but I opted for the fingerprint sensor during the review for daily interactions. For gaming enthusiasts, the 3D Dual-Channel IceLoop cooling system helps regulate the device’s temperature. During my use, the 15 Ultra experienced slight heating while running Google Maps for over 45 minutes, gaming for about 40 minutes, and intensive camera usage exceeding 25 minutes. Nonetheless, it remained manageable, and the cooling system responded quickly.

I utilized various benchmarking applications to evaluate the performance of the Xiaomi 15 Ultra, and, as expected, it produced impressive scores outlined below.

Benchmark	Xiaomi 15 Ultra	iPhone 16 Pro Max	Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra	Google Pixel 9 Pro XL
Geekbench 6 Single	2,980	3,203	3,053	1,944
Geekbench 6 Multi	8,870	7,846	9,832	4,667
AnTuTu v10	25,19,481	15,87,059	21,23,303	10,67,971
PCMark Work 3.0	18,189	N/A	19,266	12,922
GFXB T-rex	120fps	59fps	120fps	120fps
GFXB Manhattan 3.1	306fps	59.7fps	115fps	105fps
GFXB Car Chase	120fps	59.4fps	94fps	55fps
3DM Slingshot Extreme OpenGL	Maxed Out	N/A	Failed to run	Failed to run
3DM Slingshot	Maxed Out	N/A	Failed to run	Failed to run
3DM Wild Life	Maxed Out	8,942	Maxed Out	8,902
3DM Wild Life Unlimited	Failed to run	N/A	23,683	9,294

Call quality on the 15 Ultra is clear, and I encountered no issues with 5G connectivity on both Airtel and Jio networks. The typing experience on the 15 Ultra is enjoyable, thanks to its excellent haptic feedback, making it great for texting, gaming, and typing.

The smartphone features stereo speakers and supports Dolby Atmos. The audio setup is standard, with one speaker positioned at the bottom and another integrated into the earpiece, producing loud and clear sound sufficient for medium-sized rooms.

On the software front, the Xiaomi 15 Ultra runs on HyperOS 2.0, based on Android 15, right out of the box. Xiaomi has committed to providing 4 Android updates and 6 years of security patches for the 15 Ultra, which, while not as extensive as offerings from Samsung and Google, is still commendable given the typical device lifespan of 3 years or more.

The premium rear design features aerospace-grade glass fiber and PU leather

 

The HyperOS 2 maintains a similar feel to HyperOS 1, while introducing several enhancements for overall optimization and AI integrations. Users can now access notifications and quick toggles in the control center similarly to iOS. A wide array of customization options for the home and lock screens are available.

Additionally, Google features like Gemini Access and Circle to Search have been added. Circle to Search has been particularly useful, as it allows for quick searches without needing to type everything out. Xiaomi has also integrated numerous AI functionalities, such as AI writing for proofreading and summarizing, AI Gallery Editor for image editing, and AI speech recognition for tasks like transcription. More features include AI-assisted conversation interpretation and AI subtitles. A comprehensive AI suite enhances productivity.

However, the AI capabilities in HyperOS 2 require further refinement. The image editing tools powered by AI, like Object Remover, often end up producing subpar results. Similarly, recorded conversations showed inaccuracies, with the speech recognition feature straying from the original context. This issue is not exclusive to Xiaomi, as it appears across major brands, including Apple, which has faced challenges with its highly promoted AI features. Here’s hoping that advancements in 2025 will lead to improved AI functionality and precision.

The striking rear design of the 15 Ultra sets it apart

 

Xiaomi 15 Ultra Battery: Surpassing Expectations

• Features a 5410mAh battery
• 90W HyperCharge technology
• Completely charged in under an hour

Battery performance has received a notable upgrade compared to its predecessor. The 15 Ultra is equipped with a 5410mAh cell, exceeding the 5000mAh found in the 14 Ultra.

In an internal video loop test, the 15 Ultra achieved remarkable results, yielding over 20 hours of continuous video playback, placing it among the top-performing devices in tests conducted in late 2024 and 2025. The phone is supplied with a 90W charger, which is among the few devices still including a charger in the box. It can charge from 0% to 100% in about an hour, but during this rapid charging, the device does heat up—a tradeoff for enhanced charging speeds. It is important to note that the standard charging mode is enabled by default, which typically results in slower full charges. To use the faster «Top Speed» charging option, adjustments may be necessary.

The device features 90W fast-charging capabilities, achieving full charge in under an hour

 

In everyday use, the increase in battery capacity gives the Xiaomi 15 Ultra a competitive edge against devices like the Pixel 9 Pro XL. Even under heavy usage—which included extensive camera activity—the device easily lasted over a day, accommodating an hour of gaming, an hour of calls, continuous browsing, streaming, and image editing, along with multiple work-related applications open at all times. Throughout the review, I recorded over seven hours of screen-on time with the 15 Ultra, which is quite impressive.

Overall, the Xiaomi 15 Ultra exceeded my expectations regarding battery performance.

Xiaomi 15 Ultra Conclusion

The Xiaomi 15 Ultra stands out as an exemplary camera phone, executed exceptionally well, and is set to compete strongly for the title of best smartphone camera in next year’s NDTV Gadgets 360 Awards.

Loaded with features like the Snapdragon 8 Elite that deftly meets all performance demands, an outstanding camera system refined by the renowned Leica, a substantial 5410mAh battery, 90W HyperCharge support, and much more, it is a well-thought-out device. Offering the Photography Kit Legend Edition separately is a timely move aimed at genuine Xiaomi enthusiasts and photography lovers.

The Xiaomi 15 Ultra is also a superb choice for gaming, handling titles like BGMI and COD: Mobile at high settings

 

The starting price for the 15 Ultra is Rs. 109,999, available on Amazon, Mi.com, and through various offline retail partners. The company is currently running bank promotions that could lower the price to under a lakh, making it an appealing offer. For those who desire the Photography Kit Legend Edition, an additional Rs. 11,999 is required. Overall, you get an impressive smartphone camera built to last for years at approximately Rs. 1,21,998, barring any discounts.

When compared with some rivals, the Xiaomi 15 Ultra (including the Photography Kit Legend Edition) is priced lower than the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra (Review), currently available at Rs. 141,999, and the iPhone 16 Pro Max (Review) priced from Rs. 137,900 on Amazon. More economical alternatives include the Vivo X200 Pro (Review), which can be found at Rs. 94,999, and the Find X8 Pro (Review), retailing for Rs. 99,999.