Verdict
The Xiaomi 15 Ultra is a spectacular camera phone with genuinely distinctive imaging hardware. It also delivers a gorgeous display and elite performance, but HyperOS, heat under sustained load and inconsistent battery reports prevent the overall experience from being as polished as the camera system.
The Xiaomi 15 Ultra takes the company’s camera-first philosophy and makes it even more extreme. The headline upgrade is a 200MP periscope telephoto around the 4.3x range, paired with a 50MP floating telephoto, 50MP ultrawide and a 50MP 1-inch main camera. That combination gives the phone a level of focal-length flexibility few conventional flagships can match.
Performance is equally serious. Snapdragon 8 Elite sits behind the 6.73-inch LTPO WQHD+ AMOLED, and Xiaomi offers 16GB of RAM with large storage options. The display is sharp, bright and fast, while 90W wired and 80W wireless charging remain among the quickest charging combinations in the premium market.
The phone is not flawless. HyperOS is feature-rich but still busier than the software on a Pixel or iPhone, and sustained heavy use can produce more heat than ideal. Independent battery testing has also produced mixed conclusions, suggesting endurance depends heavily on workload and configuration.
None of that diminishes the core achievement: the 15 Ultra is one of the few phones where the camera hardware itself is a compelling reason to buy. For users who treat a smartphone as their primary camera, it is among the most ambitious options available.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Exceptional Leica camera system
- 200MP periscope telephoto
- Excellent 1-inch main camera
- Superb 120Hz LTPO display
- Snapdragon 8 Elite performance
- 90W wired and 80W wireless charging
Cons
- HyperOS remains busy and bloated
- Can get warm under heavy load
- Very expensive
- Availability varies by region
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Xiaomi 15 Ultra better than the Xiaomi 14 Ultra for zoom?
Yes. The 15 Ultra’s 200MP periscope gives it more resolution and flexibility at longer focal lengths than the previous generation.
Does the Xiaomi 15 Ultra have fast wireless charging?
Yes. It supports up to 80W wireless HyperCharge with compatible Xiaomi accessories.
What is the main reason not to buy the Xiaomi 15 Ultra?
The biggest drawbacks are its very high price, busy HyperOS software and limited official availability in some markets.