Xiaomi Mi 15 Ultra Review: Camera Beast or Marketing Hype?

In the ever-evolving world of flagship smartphones, the Xiaomi Mi 15 Ultra (often simply called the Xiaomi 15 Ultra) burst onto the scene in February 2025, promising to redefine mobile photography with its Leica-tuned quad-camera system. But with a price tag hovering around $1,600, is this beastly device a genuine revolution for shutterbugs, or just another round of overhyped specs? As someone who's tested it across bustling European streets and quiet low-light alleys, I've got the real scoop. Spoiler: It's closer to beast than hype—but not without a few quirks.

If you're hunting for the best camera phone 2025 or wondering if the Xiaomi 15 Ultra lives up to its "Ultra" name, stick around. We'll dive into its standout features, real-world performance, and whether it's worth ditching your mirrorless setup for this pocket powerhouse.

Unboxing the Beast: Design and Build That Screams Premium

Right out of the box, the Xiaomi 15 Ultra feels like a Leica camera had a lovechild with a smartphone. Measuring 161.3 x 75.3 x 9.48mm and tipping the scales at 229g (for the Silver Chrome variant), it's hefty—but in a satisfying, pro-grade way. The two-tone faux leather and metallic accents on the back evoke classic rangefinders, making it a style statement amid the sea of slab phones.

The 6.73-inch WQHD+ AMOLED display is a stunner: 3200 x 1440 resolution, 522ppi sharpness, and a peak brightness of 3200 nits that laughs at direct sunlight. HDR10+ and Dolby Vision support mean movies pop, and the 120Hz LTPO refresh rate keeps scrolling buttery smooth. Wet touch tech and TÜV certifications for low blue light add practical perks.

Durability? It's IP68-rated for dust and water resistance, but skips the IPX9 high-pressure jet rating of rivals like the Vivo X200 Pro—fine for most spills, but not ideal for adventure junkies. Ultrasonic in-display fingerprint scanner is lightning-fast, and stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos deliver immersive audio. Overall, it's a premium build that prioritizes form and function, though the asymmetrical camera bump might snag in pockets.

Power Under the Hood: Snapdragon 8 Elite Meets HyperOS 2

Powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Elite, the Mi 15 Ultra is a performance monster. Paired with 16GB RAM and up to 1TB UFS 4.1 storage, it handles multitasking, gaming, and AI workloads like a champ—45% better multi-core CPU than its predecessor, per Xiaomi. Benchmarks put it neck-and-neck with the Honor Magic 7 Pro, and it crushes iPhone 16 Pro Max in gaming and networking.

HyperOS 2 (based on Android 15) brings a clean, customizable interface with HyperAI smarts: real-time translation, note summaries, and image editing tools. But here's the rub—many AI features need an internet connection and a Xiaomi account, limiting offline use. Bloatware is present (as with most Xiaomi devices), but it's skinnable.

Battery life is solid with the 5410mAh cell (global version; 6000mAh in China), lasting a full day of heavy use. 90W wired charging hits 100% in under 30 minutes, and 80W wireless is a luxury. No charger in the box is a bummer, but reverse wireless charging keeps earbuds topped up.

The Star of the Show: Leica Quad-Camera System Breakdown

Ah, the cameras—the reason we're all here. Xiaomi's partnership with Leica continues to shine, delivering pro-level optics in a phone. The setup includes:

• Main Camera: 50MP LYT-900 sensor (1-inch type, f/1.63, 23mm equivalent) with OIS. Massive sensor size captures incredible detail and dynamic range.
• Ultra-Wide: 50MP (f/2.2, 14mm equivalent, 115° FOV) for expansive landscapes.
• 3.2x Telephoto: 50MP floating lens (f/1.8, 70mm equivalent) with OIS—great for portraits.
• 4.3x Periscope Telephoto: The game-changer: 200MP Samsung HP9 sensor (1/1.4-inch, f/2.6, 100mm equivalent) for jaw-dropping zoom.

Selfies? A 32MP front cam (f/2.0) handles 4K video but lags in HDR compared to the rear array. All lenses support 8K@30fps video with gyro-EIS for steady footage.

Leica's Authentic and Vibrant styles, plus filters, let you tweak vibes on the fly. The optional Photography Kit (with grip and filter adapter) unlocks Fastshot mode for DSLR-like control.

Camera Performance: Beast Mode Activated (With Caveats)

In my two weeks testing across Europe—from Barcelona's sun-drenched streets to dimly lit Milan cafes—the Mi 15 Ultra proved it's a top camera phone for enthusiasts. DXOMARK crowned it the best tele zoom ever, and I agree.

Daylight Mastery

Day shots are vibrant yet natural. The main sensor nails exposure, white balance, and contrast, with Leica's HDR pulling details from shadows and highlights without overcooking skies. Colors pop in Vibrant mode, staying true-to-life in Authentic. The 200MP telephoto steals the show at 4.3x: razor-sharp wildlife or architecture from afar, outpacing the iPhone 16 Pro Max and Galaxy S25 Ultra. Ultra-wide holds its own with minimal distortion, though it's no upgrade over the 14 Ultra.

Low-Light Wizardry

Night mode shines—warm tones, spot-on exposure, and noise reduction that rivals dedicated cameras. Portraits deliver realistic skin tones and bokeh, but the narrow depth of field blurs group shots. Video in low light? Solid stabilization, but detail dips compared to stills.

Zoom Supremacy

This is where it earns "beast" status. From 3.2x portraits to 10x+ hybrids, detail retention is unmatched—perfect for concerts or sports. The 200MP binning (16-in-1 pixels) keeps shots clean even at 100mm.

But is it hype? Not entirely. Auto mode is inconsistent for casual snaps (flatter HDR in backlit scenes, occasional color casts), favoring pro tweaks over point-and-shoot ease. No variable aperture (RIP, 14 Ultra's f/1.63-f/4 switch) means lost starburst effects in nights. Selfies and ultra-wide lag behind rivals like the Pixel 9 Pro XL for everyday use.

For videographers, 8K across all lenses is future-proof, with excellent stabilization. AI tools like object removal work offline for basics, but advanced edits need the cloud.

Pros and Cons: The Balanced Verdict

Is the Xiaomi Mi 15 Ultra Worth It?

The Xiaomi Mi 15 Ultra isn't for everyone—casual snappers might prefer the more forgiving Google Pixel 9 Pro or iPhone 16 Pro Max. But if you're a photography fiend chasing mirrorless-level quality in your pocket, this is your beast. The 200MP periscope elevates it beyond the 14 Ultra, making it the best camera phone 2025 for zoom and detail enthusiasts.

At €1,499 ($1,571), it's pricey, especially without US sales (import if you must). Yet, for creators willing to dial in manual modes, it's a hype-worthy triumph. Grab the Photography Kit for the full experience, and you might just shelve that Fuji.