The smartphone camera race continues to push boundaries in 2025, with flagship devices increasingly challenging dedicated photography equipment. The recently released Xiaomi 15 Ultra has generated significant buzz for its impressive camera capabilities, positioning itself as one of the leading camera-focused smartphones of the year. Despite its premium price point, early reviews and consumer feedback suggest this device might be worth the investment for photography enthusiasts.
Camera System That Rivals Professional Equipment
The Xiaomi 15 Ultra's most distinctive feature is undoubtedly its massive camera island, which houses a quad-camera setup developed in partnership with Leica. The system includes a 50MP main camera with a one-inch sensor that captures remarkable dynamic range and depth. However, the standout addition is the new 200MP periscope lens, which represents a substantial upgrade from the previous generation's 50MP offering. This periscope camera, despite having a slightly shorter optical zoom at 4.4x compared to the standard 5x found in competitors, delivers exceptional detail retention and low-light performance. One reviewer even considered retiring their €3,500 Sony A7S III professional camera after experiencing the Ultra's photographic capabilities.
Xiaomi 15 Ultra Key Specifications:
- Main camera: 50MP with one-inch sensor
- Periscope camera: 200MP with 4.4x optical zoom
- Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite
- RAM: 16GB
- Battery: 5,410mAh (global) / 6,000mAh (China)
- Charging: 90W wired, 80W wireless
- Weight: 226 grams
- Protection: Shield Glass 2.0, Gorilla Glass 7i
- Price: €1,499 (approximately $1,555)
Premium Hardware Specifications
Powering the Xiaomi 15 Ultra is Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, paired with a generous 16GB of RAM. This combination, along with Xiaomi's optimized HyperOS skin over Android, delivers a remarkably smooth user experience with minimal stuttering or frame drops, even under heavy load. The device features improved durability compared to its predecessor, with Shield Glass 2.0 for enhanced drop protection and high-strength Gorilla Glass 7i protecting the rear camera array.
Battery and Charging Capabilities
The global version of the Xiaomi 15 Ultra comes with a 5,410mAh battery, which is notably smaller than the 6,000mAh capacity offered in the Chinese variant. Despite this reduction, the device still impresses with its charging capabilities, supporting 90W wired and 80W wireless charging. These speeds, while not record-breaking globally, are approximately twice as fast as what's typically available in flagship devices sold in the US market.
Design Considerations
At 226 grams, the Xiaomi 15 Ultra is slightly heavier than its predecessor, likely due to the upgraded camera system and battery. However, it remains lighter than the iPhone 16 Pro Max while being slightly heavier than the Galaxy S25 Ultra (218g). The phone's curved dimensions make it more manageable to hold compared to the boxier design of Samsung's offering, despite the substantial camera bump that affects weight distribution.
Software Experience
Xiaomi's HyperOS, built on Android, provides a well-optimized user experience that complements the powerful hardware. Reviewers have noted the system's responsiveness and smooth operation, though some criticism remains regarding pre-installed bloatware, including apps like WPS Office and AliExpress. These minor software issues don't significantly detract from the overall premium experience.
Market Reception and Value Proposition
A recent poll indicates strong interest in the Xiaomi 15 Ultra, with 42% of respondents expressing enthusiasm for the device, while only 13% considered other camera-focused flagships. However, the €1,500 price tag remains a significant barrier for many potential buyers, with price being the second most common concern among survey participants. Some regional Xiaomi websites are already offering modest discounts, such as 10% off in the UK and €200 vouchers in Germany, suggesting the company recognizes the price sensitivity.
Consumer Interest Breakdown:
- 42% interested in Xiaomi 15 Ultra
- 13% considering other camera-focused flagships
- Primary concern: €1,500 price point
- Secondary concerns: Removal of variable aperture from previous model, device size
Availability and Pricing
The Xiaomi 15 Ultra is currently available in global markets outside the US for €1,499 (approximately $1,555). Importing the device to the US would likely incur additional costs due to recent tariffs. Despite the premium pricing, the device appears to be finding its audience among photography enthusiasts and tech-savvy consumers who value cutting-edge mobile photography capabilities.