Xiaomi has managed to carve out a space for itself with the help of Leica. The Ultra series has some of the best photography capabilities you can find on a smartphone. A well-rounded camera array, combined with good software and solid hardware, has made Xiaomi a force to be reckoned with. This year’s Xiaomi 15 Ultra, the top end of the Xiaomi 15 series, is no different, bringing new features to the table along with a stunning design and impressive camera sensors. While a pricey option, it is without question an expertly crafted camera experience that will be hard to top.
If you have ever owned a Xiaomi phone, you will find the unboxing experience relatively consistent with past devices. Inside the box, you will find the phone, cable, SIM ejector tool and a bare-bones, clear case that showcases the phone’s unique design and colour. For this review, I was sent the white variant of the 15 Ultra, but the phone also comes in a two-tone black and silver design, along with a black model with red accents.
The phone itself oozes premium quality, with a glass and metal construction designed to highlight the rear camera array. The overall design remains consistent with the design language of past Xiaomi Ultra phones, featuring a large circular black glass area on the back that prominently displays the Leica branding.
The sides of the phone have a nicely bevelled metal edge that feels good in the hand while offering a robust look that fits the camera-centric aesthetics of the device. It feels like a great evolution of the Ultra series to date. Looking at the right-hand side, you will find the volume rocker and power button, with the stereo speaker grille on the bottom next to the USB-C power connection and the nano-SIM tray.
Looking at the front of the 15 Ultra, you will find a 6.73-inch WQHD+ AMOLED display with a screen resolution of 3200 × 1440 and a pixel density of 522 ppi, offering up to 3,200 nits of brightness. The screen features a variable refresh rate of 1-130 Hz, up to 300 Hz touch sampling and DCI-P3 colour gamut. It also supports HDR10+ and Dolby Vision, along with Original Color Pro, Pro HDR and Wet Touch technology.
To round things off, the Xiaomi 15 Ultra includes TÜV Rheinland Low Blue Light, TÜV Rheinland Flicker-Free certification and TÜV Rheinland Circadian Friendly certification, along with an ultrasonic fingerprint sensor that unlocks the phone incredibly quickly.
That is a lot to take in, but in practice, the screen on the Xiaomi 15 Ultra is stunning. It offers inky blacks and rich colours that feel lifelike and pop when gaming or watching media. It is also incredibly accurate, a useful aspect when taking photos on the go with the device.
In all honesty, the Xiaomi Ultra series has always featured top-end displays, so the 15 Ultra feels more like an evolution rather than a revolution. But when you have a display this good, it does not matter that it is not blowing the gates off with innovation—it works, and it looks absolutely stunning while doing so.
Under the hood, the Xiaomi 15 Ultra is powered by the latest Snapdragon 8 Elite mobile SoC. Built with a 3 nm manufacturing process, this SoC offers top-end performance with two Prime Cores at 4.32 GHz and six Performance Cores at 3.53 GHz. On the graphics side, the 15 Ultra is equipped with the Adreno GPU, providing smooth and immersive gaming experiences, even with the latest and most demanding titles. It also features a Hexagon NPU, capable of up to 80 TOPS, ensuring efficient AI processing and handling the newest workloads without overloading the main cores of the SoC.
Equipped with LPDDR5X memory and UFS 4.1 storage—available in configurations of 16 GB RAM with either 512 GB or 1 TB of storage—the Xiaomi 15 Ultra delivers a solid experience, whether for content creation, media consumption or gaming. The phone also runs on the latest Xiaomi HyperOS 2, which integrates several innovative technologies for an enhanced user experience. The 15 Ultra includes the Xiaomi 3D Dual-Channel IceLoop System to manage heat and sustain peak performance during intensive tasks.
“…the Xiaomi 15 Ultra delivers a solid experience, whether for content creation, media consumption or gaming.”
While that is a lot to take in, in practice, the Xiaomi 15 Ultra is incredibly smooth and handles a range of workloads, including multitasking, without showing any signs of slowdown or lag. In Genshin Impact, the game ran smoothly, with no noticeable signs of slowdown even in combat, delivering console-level visuals—all without the Xiaomi 15 Ultra getting overly warm. In games like Diablo Immortal, I was able to push the settings to the highest level allowed on Android, including visual effects and all the stunning eye candy, without any issues.
Now, I will say even though the Xiaomi 15 Ultra can handle the latest Android games, if you want to use the phone with a mobile controller, you may run into some frustration. While the camera array is fantastic for photos (more on this in a bit), the large camera bump makes it difficult to insert into controllers, as it is simply too bulky to fit comfortably. This was the case with all the mobile controllers I tested, including options from Razer, GameSir and a few other random ones we had lying around the office.
The camera bump also makes it slightly harder to use with many mounts, gimbals and docks, as it causes enough interference to stop wireless charging on several docks we tested. It makes sense, but it can be frustrating if you want to use the Xiaomi 15 Ultra with docks and stabilizers that help elevate content creation—especially considering how solid the camera is (don’t worry, I will get there).
“The camera on the 15 Ultra is where things really stand out, and Xiaomi’s partnership with Leica is paying off well.”
The camera on the 15 Ultra is where things really stand out, and Xiaomi’s partnership with Leica is paying off well. This year, the Xiaomi 15 Ultra introduces an advanced Leica quad-camera system, offering a professional-level camera setup that builds on everything Xiaomi has done in previous devices.
The primary Leica main camera is a 50 MP sensor featuring an f/1.63 aperture, optical image stabilization (OIS) and a Sony LYT-900 image sensor. This setup allows for high dynamic range (14 EV) and excellent low-light performance, thanks to its 3.2 μm 4-in-1 Super Pixel technology. The camera supports variable focal lengths of 23 mm, 28 mm and 35 mm, providing flexibility for different shooting scenarios. Its 8P aspherical lens ensures superior image clarity, making it ideal for capturing highly detailed photographs, even in challenging lighting conditions.
Putting the Xiaomi 15 Ultra’s main camera to the test surpassed my expectations in standard lighting conditions. The phone captured sharp, clear images that preserved the natural beauty and colour of subjects, whether people, places or even technology.
I was impressed with how well the camera rendered fine details in the natural world without overly pushing colours, as some other brands do, resulting in a more true-to-life look when set to the default Leica Authentic settings. Should you want to enhance colours, it also has a Leica Vivid mode, which provides a noticeable boost, giving a slightly more exaggerated look to subjects. Of course, the phone also includes a few filters similar to Instagram, along with beautification filters for selfies and portraits. Personally, I find these verge on the uncanny, but they are available for those who want to experiment with them.
The low-light performance was solid, but due to the processing, some changes were noticeable in the overall colours and appearance of the photos. It is not bad per se, but it can alter the feeling and tone of the pictures you may be trying to capture. At times, I saw far more yellow in pictures than expected, while at other times, it managed to produce a more true-to-life look. Even with this level of inconsistency, the Xiaomi 15 Ultra remains a truly fantastic photography-focused device. The phone captured the most detail I have ever seen in low-light photos, even managing to preserve minor details in subjects that may be shrouded in shadow—without noise or other visual distortion.
Complementing the main sensor, the floating telephoto camera offers a 50 MP resolution, f/1.8 aperture and optical image stabilization (OIS), utilizing the Sony IMX858 image sensor. This lens provides a 70 mm equivalent focal length with a 1.4 μm 4-in-1 pixel size, making it highly effective for mid-range zoom photography. Additionally, it supports 10 cm macro photography, enabling users to take detailed close-up shots with remarkable sharpness.
The periscope telephoto camera takes zoom capabilities even further, featuring a massive 200 MP sensor, f/2.6 aperture and OIS. Powered by the Samsung HP9 image sensor, this camera has a 100 mm native focal length and 200 mm optical zoom, making it ideal for extreme magnification photography. The sensor captures 136 percent more light compared to the previous generation, ensuring clearer and brighter images even in low-light conditions.
It can feel overwhelming to sort through all the numbers, but in testing, I was genuinely surprised by how clear and vibrant the photos taken with the telephoto camera looked. The Leica tuning was great to see, and the level of detail and clarity in photos, even at night, was shocking.
Zooming into different architectural details was striking—how much it managed to capture without distorting the image or devolving into digital noise was impressive. Many lesser phones seem to rely on artificial sharpening when attempting to retain detail beyond the limits of their optical lenses, but the Xiaomi 15 Ultra avoids this pitfall.
Rounding things off, the ultra-wide camera is another standout feature of the Xiaomi 15 Ultra, equipped with a 50 MP sensor, f/2.2 aperture and a 115-degree field of view (FOV). Using the Samsung JN5 image sensor with a 1.28 μm 4-in-1 pixel size, it captures expansive landscapes and group shots without distortion. Shots from the camera look good, even if they can verge on the surreal at times due to the wide field of view. That said, the clarity and detail still come through, with the Xiaomi 15 Ultra managing some amazing shots—even in low-light conditions.
The front-facing camera also offers a high-resolution 32 MP sensor, f/2.0 aperture and a 90-degree field of view (FOV). It is powered by the OV32B image sensor, supporting HDR and portrait modes for high-quality selfies and video calls.
The combination of these cameras provides an exceptional imaging experience, covering a wide range of photography needs, from ultra-wide to extreme zoom. This is one area where many phone brands drop the ball, leaving a relatively inconsistent front camera compared to the rest of the system. Thankfully, that is not the case here.
While the front-facing camera is not on the same level as the main array, it still captures a solid level of detail and clarity, with colours feeling close to what you would expect. Even my eye colour looked nearly identical to what you would see in person—something many families who video call will appreciate.
Beyond hardware, the Xiaomi 15 Ultra integrates advanced AI-powered imaging enhancements through Xiaomi AISP 2.0, which includes FusionLM 2.0, PortraitLM 2.0, ColorLM 2.0 and ToneLM 2.0. These features optimize image processing, delivering improved colour accuracy, enhanced dynamic range and refined portrait photography.
The phone also introduces Stepless Master Portrait, allowing smooth focal length adjustments between 23 mm and 135 mm for professional-grade portrait shots. Combined with its large-aperture lenses, the Xiaomi 15 Ultra provides exceptional low-light performance, making it one of the most versatile smartphone cameras available.
In practice, these features work as expected and feel like valuable additions to the phone’s arsenal—especially when you want to push the limits of smartphone photography. Many of these concepts have appeared in past Xiaomi phones and even in devices from Apple, Samsung and OnePlus, but the implementation here is among the best I have seen.
For videography, the Xiaomi 15 Ultra supports 8K video recording at 30 fps and 4K video at 30 fps, 60 fps and 120 fps. It is equipped with Dolby Vision recording at 4K 60 fps across all focal lengths, ensuring vivid colours and superior HDR imaging. The device also offers 10-bit Log video recording at 4K 60 fps, allowing filmmakers to retain extensive post-processing flexibility.
Additionally, 4K 120 fps cinematic slow-motion video recording is available on both the main and periscope telephoto cameras, providing smooth and professional slow-motion effects. The phone’s Ultra Image Stabilization system integrates 4-axis optical image stabilization (OIS) and advanced electronic image stabilization (EIS) to capture steady, professional-grade footage without requiring a tripod or gimbal.
“Xiaomi has quickly overtaken the competition and become the smartphone I recommend to anyone wanting the best in photography, and the Xiaomi 15 Ultra solidifies that concept.”
Xiaomi has even pushed beyond the typical phone video experience by introducing a four-microphone array for high-fidelity audio capture and a partnership with the Academy Color Encoding System (ACES), ensuring industry-standard colour grading.
It all works well and results in stunning videos that look fantastic, especially considering the cameras it takes advantage of. Colours are clear and true to life, offering a level of stabilization and quality that would put videos shot on an iPhone 15 to shame. Xiaomi has quickly overtaken the competition and become the smartphone I recommend to anyone wanting the best in photography, and the Xiaomi 15 Ultra solidifies that concept.
Even though I loved the photography experience on the Xiaomi 15 Ultra, the AI editing tools feel like they are lagging behind the likes of Samsung and Google. The phone does feature Smart Erase, Expand and Enhance tools that work for the most part when handling simple edits, but if you throw any curveballs into the picture, the results can be inconsistent. It struggles with removing wires or expanding the frame if there are unusual objects in the scene. Thankfully, the Remove Reflection tool works well, and I found it useful multiple times while testing the phone. At the very least, this AI tool—one I consider the most valuable addition to smartphones—performs as expected.
This brings me to the Photography Kit—an additional purchase, but one that elevates the Xiaomi Ultra experience well beyond that of another smartphone, transforming it into a creative tool comparable to a DSLR or Micro Four Thirds camera when out at events.
While it is a separate purchase on top of the phone, it includes a 2,000 mAh battery grip, a detachable shutter button, a 67 mm filter adapter ring and a customizable UI under Fastshot mode. This accessory transforms the Xiaomi 15 Ultra into a professional camera-like device, enhancing its usability for enthusiasts and professionals alike.
It may sound silly, but having tactile buttons when taking pictures or recording video is invaluable. It makes it much easier to capture shots on the fly and ensures the precision needed for truly remarkable photography. I used it while capturing most of the pictures for this review and was shocked at how much I relied on it during my time with the phone.
Now, I don’t think it is something everyone needs, as it adds extra bulk—and that’s without even factoring in the ability to add ND filters. However, if you use your phone for photography, these additions make the Xiaomi 15 Ultra feel much closer to a dedicated camera, including the ability to control light levels, zoom, and focus while capturing a subject.
Moving past the photography side of the Xiaomi 15 Ultra, the phone features a 5410mAh battery, that will net you a solid day of regular use at medium brightness. Once you throw in gaming or other intensive tasks, this will drop significantly. When using the phone for maps, photography, social media, and generally pushing every feature the phone offers, I found the phone lasted around 12 hours on average.
I would have liked to see more, but this was an extreme case to see just how far I could push the phone while testing; regular use will see significantly longer, with it potentially lasting a full day on a single charge; thankfully, it should you do need to top things up, the phone supports 90W Hyper charging using USB-C, and supports 80W wireless charging provided you have a compatible charger.
At the end of the day, the Xiaomi 15 Ultra succeeds as the best camera-focused phone you can buy, delivering an experience that is hard to match. I have been a fan of the Ultra range of phones for years, and with the 15, Xiaomi has managed to deliver a phone that checks all the boxes I could hope for—and does so in a style all its own. It is a large phone that wears its photography focus on its sleeve, and it is all the better for it.
While the Xiaomi 15 Ultra may not be the perfect smartphone for everyone, it is without question the best choice for those who prioritize photography and videography. With its incredible camera system, stunning display and solid performance, it offers a level of creative control rarely seen on a smartphone. The addition of the Photography Kit takes it even further, making it a true hybrid between a smartphone and a professional camera. If you are looking for a phone that pushes the boundaries of mobile photography, the Xiaomi 15 Ultra is simply the best option available today—hands down.
