Xiaomi 15 Ultra tested: one smartphone, four very good cameras
With its four cameras, the Xiaomi 15 Ultra offers a wide range of focal lengths. However, it only just beats its predecessor.
The Xiaomi 15 Ultra is the Chinese manufacturer's big new launch at the Mobile World Congress (MWC). I was able to test it in advance. Compared to the previous model, the focal lengths of three of the cameras in particular have changed slightly and the periscope telephoto camera has a higher resolution. In addition, there are design adjustments, a larger battery and a new chipset.
Design changes and new protective glass
In the Xiaomi 15 Ultra, the round and still huge camera module fits more seamlessly into the back than its predecessor. The manufacturer speaks of a volcano shape. In contrast, I notice the fluting, which is reminiscent of classic lenses. As a test device, I received the white version with subtle hatching. There is also a black version and a variant whose design is based on the cameras from Xiaomi's partner Leica. The back of my test device is made of Kunststoff fibreglass - which I can feel and hear. For me, this doesn't match the high price of the smartphone.
The aluminium frame of the Xiaomi 15 Ultra is more even and symmetrical than the previous smartphone. The power button, which has become smaller, has been given a corrugation that allows my fingers to distinguish it from the volume button. The entire smartphone is waterproof to IP68 - for 30 minutes at a depth of two metres. The manufacturer uses Gorilla Glass 7i for the cameras to prevent scratches.
Source: Jan Johannsen
The 6.73-inch AMOLED display on the front, on the other hand, is protected by Xiaomi Shield Glass 2.0. According to Xiaomi, it is 16 times better at protecting against drops than Gorilla Glass Victus. With an automatic refresh rate of 1 to 120 hertz, a resolution of 3200 × 1440 pixels and a maximum peak brightness of 3200 nits, the touchscreen gives no cause for criticism.
All cameras are impressive
The main camera of the Xiaomi 15 Ultra has remained unchanged from its predecessor smartphone. The 1-inch LYT-900 image sensor with a resolution of 50 megapixels continues to deliver excellent images. Converted to 35 mm format, the focal length is 23 millimetres.
Source: Jan Johannsen
The ultra-wide-angle camera retains its resolution of 50 megapixels and increases its focal length by two millimetres to 14 millimetres compared to the predecessor model. In terms of quality, the camera is in no way inferior to the main camera.
Source: Jan Johannsen
Source: Jan Johannsen
With in-sensor zoom technology, the main camera is also responsible for taking pictures with a 2x zoom. The high resolution is used to capture a smaller image section with better quality than with simple digital magnification.
The 50 megapixel telephoto camera offers three times the zoom of the main camera. Xiaomi has reduced the focal length by 5 millimetres to 70 millimetres compared to the 14 Ultra.
Source: Jan Johannsen
Xiaomi has increased the resolution of the periscope telephoto camera from 50 to 200 megapixels. As with all other cameras, the manufacturer also uses "pixel binning" here. This means that several pixels are combined into one. This should increase the light sensitivity and therefore improve the image quality.
The focal length of the periscope telephoto camera is 100 millimetres. This corresponds to a 4.3x zoom compared to the main camera.
Source: Jan Johannsen
If that's still not enough, you can increase the focal length to 200 millimetres or 8.6x zoom. You can do this with a tap on the touchscreen. In contrast to the main camera, the in-sensor zoom has no disadvantages here.
Source: Jan Johannsen
Overall, all the cameras on the Xiaomi 15 Ultra offer very good image quality. Unlike other smartphones, I don't have to accept any compromises beyond the main camera. The different focal lengths are able to complement a small set of lenses. I no longer want to take a large camera with me on holiday.
The main camera is the best in the dark
In the dark, the camera automatically switches on a night mode with longer exposure times. I could deactivate it. However, as the software compensates for slight camera shake during the long exposure time, this is not necessary. In terms of quality, there are major differences between the cameras in the dark. I like the ultra-wide-angle camera the least.
Source: Jan Johannsen
I like the shots from the main camera best at night. It balances bright lights and dark areas well for a high-contrast image. This preserves the night-time atmosphere.
The two telephoto cameras are close together in terms of quality in the dark and only slightly behind the main camera.
Source: Jan Johannsen
Selfies could be even better
The front camera of the Xiaomi 15 Ultra retains its resolution of 32 megapixels. There is only one tiny change compared to the predecessor smartphone. The focal length has been reduced by 1 millimetre to 21 millimetres. Unlike the other cameras, Xiaomi uses the full resolution for selfies. When viewed in original size, this leads to artefacts that reduce the level of detail. Pixel binning could be helpful here - especially because the 32 megapixels are an unnecessarily high resolution.
Source: Jan Johannsen
The €199 "Photography Kit" camera grip is once again available for the Xiaomi 15 Ultra. It adds a shutter release, a zoom rocker for continuous adjustment of the focal length and a rotary dial for adjusting the exposure levels to the smartphone. With its 2000 mAh battery, it increases the smartphone's battery life and enables 67 mm filters to be attached to an adapter ring.
Lots of power and a disappointing, larger battery
With the Snapdragon 8 Elite, the Xiaomi 15 Ultra currently has Qualcomm's best chipset on board. It ensures that AI tools and image processing run smoothly on the smartphone. Games with demanding graphics are also no problem - and everyday apps anyway.
In comparison with its predecessor with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, the Xiaomi 15 Ultra clearly performs better in benchmarks. In terms of CPU performance, it is on a par with the Xiaomi 15 and the Galaxy S25 Ultra. However, the Samsung smartphone has a slightly higher clocked version of the chipset. This explains the slight lead.
In contrast, the 15 Ultra is ahead in the graphics performance measurements. It is only surpassed by the Mediatek Dimensity 9400 of the Oppo Find X8 Pro.
Xiaomi has increased the battery capacity of the 15 Ultra by 410 mAh to 5410 mAh compared to the predecessor smartphone. With the "HyperCharge" fast charging technology, it is charged quickly - 90 watts via cable and up to 80 watts wirelessly.
The PCMark Work 3.0 battery test does not measure any improvement in battery life, however. 9:08 hours is only an increase of ten minutes compared to the predecessor. The smaller Xiaomi 15 performs better in this respect, but clearly lags behind the Galaxy S25 Ultra. The Find 8X Pro, on the other hand, is even more disappointing than the 15 Ultra.
Xiaomi Hyper AI: Gemini and even more AI
Xiaomi equips the 15 Ultra with HyperOS 2 ex works. The software with its own interface is based on Android 15 and the manufacturer promises to update the operating system for four years. Security updates will be available for six years, which is one year longer than the previous model.
Xiaomi bundles the AI functions on the 15 Ultra under the term "Xiaomi Hyper AI". This includes the integration of Google Gemini as an AI assistant in the operating system. The manufacturer offers further functions under "AI App Boost":
- AI writing: Helps to correct, expand, refine and summarise texts.
- KI speech recognition: Transcribes audio to text, distinguishes between voices, translates or summarises.
- AI interpreter: Offline for conversations as well as for phone calls.
- AI subtitles: Adds subtitles to videos or video calls and can translate them.
The translations and transcription in particular already work very well here. I'm not yet satisfied with the summaries and the text editing beyond corrections doesn't convince me either.
Xiaomi offers four AI tools for image editing. These are designed to simply improve photos, generatively enhance images, remove distracting objects without leaving a trace and automatically create films from photos and videos.
The AI eraser is not afraid of large areas. On other smartphones, the function has sometimes refused to remove areas as large as the following example.
The AI works well with everything it can continue - buildings, railings and water. When it comes to guessing what is really behind me, however, it hardly stands a chance. Nevertheless, it solves the task surprisingly well here too.
The photo enhancements are helpful if I don't want to worry about post-processing myself. The AI tool for editing the sky is a nice gimmick. It makes the grey Hamburg winter sky appear bright blue or the sun setting in the east. The AI even adjusts the colour of the rest of the shot.
The generative expansion works well if the AI has something to orientate itself by. The following image was expanded to 125 per cent of the original size - without a prompt. If I increase the factor to 170 per cent, the AI has to guess more and fills in areas with something. This is not completely inappropriate, but no longer has anything to do with the original. The correct large image section can be found in the upper examples of the cameras.
Source: Jan Johannsen
In a nutshell
Tempting camera with a high price
The Xiaomi 15 Ultra is a very good smartphone, but it also comes at a high price. Its four cameras set it apart from other top smartphones. These offer a wide range of focal lengths and all deliver very good image quality.
As befits a smartphone in this price range, the display is excellent and the performance is high. However, the battery life is disappointing, as it is only average.
The changes compared to the predecessor model are minor. Accordingly, the Xiaomi 14 Ultra could be an attractive, cheaper alternative. Even the brand new Galaxy S25 Ultra from Samsung is cheaper, but also offers slightly less focal length in the telephoto range. However, experience shows that Xiaomi's prices fall more quickly than those of its competitors, so it may be worth waiting a little longer before purchasing the 15 Ultra.
Pro
- All cameras very good
- Helpful AI tools
- A lot of computing power
- excellent display
Contra
- Mediocre battery life
- Ultra wide-angle camera in night mode
Header image: Jan Johannsen
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As a primary school pupil, I used to sit in a friend's living room with many of my classmates to play the Super NES. Now I get my hands on the latest technology and test it for you. In recent years at Curved, Computer Bild and Netzwelt, now at Digitec and Galaxus.
