Introduction & Launch
Xiaomi unveiled the Xiaomi 15 series in late 2024 / early 2025, which includes models such as the Xiaomi 15, 15 Pro (mainly in select markets), and the premium 15 Ultra. The Ultra model was officially launched in China on February 27, 2025. (Gadgets 360)
Global availability for the Xiaomi 15 and 15 Ultra followed soon after, notably at Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2025 in Barcelona, and Xiaomi confirmed the series would be launched in India on March 11, 2025. (Industry Wired)
Key Specifications & What’s New
Here are the major specs and features of the Xiaomi 15 Ultra and how it differs from its siblings or predecessors:
Category | Specification / Highlight |
|---|---|
Processor / Chipset | Snapdragon 8 Elite (3 nm), top-of-line performance chip used across the 15 series. (mobileworldforyou.in) |
Display | Around 6.73-inch LTPO AMOLED for the Ultra; supports 120 Hz refresh rate. Very high peak brightness for HDR. (The Verge) |
Camera System | Quad-camera setup: includes a 200 MP periscope telephoto lens, along with multiple 50 MP sensors (wide, ultra-wide, portrait) tuned in collaboration with Leica. Telephoto zoom is better in low light. (Gadgets 360) |
Battery & Charging | Large battery (~ 6,000 mAh in Ultra) with fast wired and wireless charging. Wired charging is around 90W, wireless ~80W. (Gadgets 360) |
Software | Ships with HyperOS 2, based on Android 15. Global versions are expected to receive updates. (Gadgets 360) |
Other Features | IP68 rating for dust / water resistance, strong build quality, stereo speakers, high-end audio / connectivity, visually premium design. (mobileworldforyou.in) |
Strengths & What Makes It Stand Out
Imaging capability: The 200 MP periscope telephoto lens is among the best for zoom + low light in the market. It allows Xiaomi to compete especially in scenarios where zoom performance is weak in many devices.
Overall performance: The Snapdragon 8 Elite, combined with high refresh rate display and fast charging, means fluid performance, quick responsiveness, and less frustration in demanding tasks or heavy use.
Charging & battery: The balance of large battery and fast charging (both wired & wireless) is a strong plus. Many flagships either sacrifice battery size or charging speed; Xiaomi seems to push both.
Design, display, durability: Premium build, good materials, IP rating — matches what one expects from high-end phones. The display is HDR capable, very bright, making outdoor visibility and video use much better.
Limitations & Trade-Offs
Price: Xiaomi 15 Ultra is expensive. In many markets it starts at high premium prices (e.g. ~CNY 6,499 base model in China, or ~€1,499 in Europe for certain configurations). (Gadgets 360)
Size / portability: With premium features, cameras, cooling needs, etc., the Ultra tends to be larger / heavier and less pocket-friendly than more compact flagships.
Power consumption and heat: High-end displays, large sensors, fast charging and powerful chipsets can generate heat and drain battery quicker under heavy usage. Some Xiaomi flagships have in past had struggles with sustained performance or throttling.
Software updates timeline: While Xiaomi offers several years of support, major OS updates may be fewer compared to some competitors; security updates usually continue for longer. (Reddit)
Pricing & Regional Availability
Base model in China: CNY 6,499 (≈ US$ 894) for the Ultra’s 12 GB + 256 GB version. (Reuters)
In Europe: the Ultra starts at about €1,499 for base 16/512 GB. Regular Xiaomi 15 starts around €999. (Reddit)
In India: both Xiaomi 15 and 15 Ultra launched on March 11, 2025. The local pricing was higher due to import / tax, but Xiaomi frequently offers variants via Amazon, its own store, or local retailers. (Industry Wired)
Conclusion: Should You Buy It?
If you want one of the most advanced Android phones currently, especially for photography, zoom, fast charging, good display, and performance, the Xiaomi 15 Ultra is among the top contenders. It’s less about compromise and more about getting premium features.
But if your priorities are compact size, lower cost, or longer battery under light usage, you might find better value in the standard Xiaomi 15 (or mid-range phones) rather than pushing for Ultra.
