Xiaomi 15 & 15 Ultra Launched with Leica Cameras & AI Upgrades – Everything You Need to Know!

Xiaomi has unveiled the Xiaomi 15 Series, featuring Leica Summilux lenses, enhanced AI capabilities, and Xiaomi HyperOS 2 for seamless performance. The Xiaomi 15 Ultra boasts a 6.73-inch WQHD+ AMOLED display, a Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, and a robust quad-camera system, including a 50MP 1-inch main sensor. It supports 4K 120fps slow-motion video, Dolby Vision 4K 60fps, and professional-grade stabilization. The Xiaomi 15 offers a compact design with a 6.36-inch CrystalRes AMOLED display and a versatile triple-camera setup.

Both devices feature AI-powered tools, ultra-fast charging, and improved cooling. Xiaomi HyperOS 2 enhances cross-device integration, including file transfers with macOS. The Xiaomi 15 starts at EUR 999, while the 15 Ultra starts at EUR 1499. The Photography Kit Legend Edition is sold separately for EUR 199. India launch details will be announced on March 11, 2025.

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• Review: Xiaomi 15 and 15 Ultra – Great Performance, But Room for Improvement

Xiaomi 15 & 15 Ultra Launched with Leica Cameras & AI Upgrades – Everything You Need to Know!

Xiaomi has officially introduced the Xiaomi 15 Series, bringing advanced Leica Summilux lenses and enhanced AI capabilities. The new lineup focuses on cutting-edge mobile photography, offering superior low-light performance and cinematic video recording. Running on Xiaomi HyperOS 2, the devices promise optimized performance and seamless connectivity. The India launch and pricing details will be announced on March 11, 2025.

Xiaomi 15 Ultra: Premium Design & Display

Inspired by Leica’s classic camera aesthetics, the Xiaomi 15 Ultra boasts a refined Silver Chrome finish, integrating aerospace-grade glass fiber with PU leather for durability. It features a 6.73-inch WQHD+ AMOLED display with a resolution of 3200 x 1440, a pixel density of 522 ppi, and a peak brightness of 3200 nits, ensuring vibrant visuals in all lighting conditions.

Key display features include a 1Hz Always-Active Display for energy efficiency, an ultrasonic fingerprint sensor for fast and reliable unlocking, and Xiaomi Shield Glass 2.0, which enhances drop resistance by up to 16 times. The device is further protected by a CNC-crafted aluminum frame and Gorilla Glass 7i. Powering the Xiaomi 15 Ultra is the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite SoC, delivering high performance with efficient power consumption.

Revolutionary Quad-Camera System

The Xiaomi 15 Ultra is built for professional-grade photography, featuring a 50MP Sony LYT-900 sensor with a 1-inch Leica 23mm main camera, an ƒ/1.63 aperture, and a 14EV high dynamic range to capture exceptional clarity, even in low light. The camera system includes a 70mm Leica floating telephoto lens for natural portraits and macro shots at a 10cm close-up range, a 100mm Leica 200MP ultra-telephoto camera with in-sensor zoom that extends up to 200mm for distant shots, and a 14mm Leica ultra-wide camera ideal for landscapes and group photos.

Cinematic Video Capabilities

The Xiaomi 15 Ultra pushes mobile videography to the next level, supporting 4K 120fps slow-motion recording on both the main and periscope telephoto cameras. It also offers Dolby Vision video recording at 4K 60fps and 10-bit Log video recording across all focal lengths for professional-grade color accuracy.

Ultra Image Stabilization (UIS) and Electronic Image Stabilization (EIS) ensure smooth video capture, while a four-microphone array enables immersive audio recording with omnidirectional, forward, rear, and trajectory capture modes. As Android’s first ACES Product Partner, Xiaomi ensures industry-standard color accuracy for cinematic-quality content.

Photography Kit Legend Edition

To enhance the photography experience, Xiaomi is introducing the Photography Kit Legend Edition. This kit includes a classic camera-inspired design, a 67mm filter adapter ring, detachable thumb support and shutter buttons, and an integrated 2000mAh battery to extend shooting sessions.

Xiaomi 15: A Compact Yet Powerful Option

The Xiaomi 15 is designed for those who seek a balance between portability and performance. It features a 6.36-inch CrystalRes AMOLED display with a 3200-nit peak brightness and a 94% screen-to-body ratio for an immersive viewing experience. The TÜV Rheinland-certified display reduces eye strain, while the device itself is available in Black, White, and Green with a volcano-shaped camera module and a micro-curved aluminum frame for durability.

Versatile Triple-Camera System

The Xiaomi 15’s camera setup ensures high-quality photography across various scenarios. It includes a 50MP Leica Summilux main sensor with a 7P aspherical high-transmittance lens, an ƒ/1.62 aperture, and an anti-glare coating for improved light capture and clarity. A 60mm Leica floating telephoto lens with a 50MP sensor captures detailed telephoto and macro shots at a 10cm close-up range, while a 14mm Leica ultra-wide camera with a 50MP sensor and ƒ/2.2 aperture delivers high-resolution wide-angle photography. The Fastshot Mode allows for 0.6-second image capture, making it ideal for street photography.

Professional-Grade Video Capabilities

For video recording, the Xiaomi 15 supports 8K recording at 30fps and Dolby Vision 4K at 60fps, ensuring sharp and dynamic footage. A four-microphone array enhances audio capture, delivering immersive sound quality for professional video production.

Performance & Battery

Both the Xiaomi 15 and Xiaomi 15 Ultra are powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite Mobile Platform, providing enhanced performance with improved power efficiency. The Xiaomi IceLoop cooling system ensures optimal performance during intensive tasks. In terms of battery life, the Xiaomi 15 Ultra features a 5410mAh battery with 90W HyperCharge and 80W wireless HyperCharge support, while the Xiaomi 15 houses a 5240mAh battery with 90W HyperCharge and 50W wireless charging.

Storage configurations also vary, with the Xiaomi 15 Ultra featuring 16GB of RAM and 512GB of UFS 4.1 storage, while the Xiaomi 15 offers 12GB of RAM and 512GB of UFS 4.0 storage.

Xiaomi HyperOS 2: AI-Powered Ecosystem

The Xiaomi 15 Series runs on Xiaomi HyperOS 2, delivering a seamless and intelligent user experience with enhanced system fluidity, cross-platform connectivity, and improved security. AI-powered tools such as AI Writing, AI Speech Recognition, AI Image Enhancement, and AI Film enable users to boost productivity and creativity. Gemini AI is now integrated into Xiaomi apps like Notes, Calendar, and Clock, providing an enhanced user experience.

With Xiaomi HyperConnect, the new series ensures smooth interaction across devices and platforms. Users can easily transfer files between Xiaomi and macOS/iOS devices, access their Xiaomi phone’s home screen directly on a Mac, and even utilize cross-device camera functionality. Additionally, the ability to merge video feeds from multiple devices is a game-changer for live events, lectures, and tutorial videos.

Pricing & Availability

The Xiaomi 15 will start at EUR 999 for the 12GB + 256GB variant, while the Xiaomi 15 Ultra will be available from EUR 1499 for the 16GB + 512GB model. The Xiaomi 15 Ultra Photography Kit Legend Edition will be sold separately for EUR 199.

With the launch of the Xiaomi 15 Series, Xiaomi continues to redefine smartphone imaging and AI integration, solidifying its position as a leader in innovation.

Review: Xiaomi 15 and 15 Ultra – Great Performance, But Room for Improvement

Simon Hill’s review of the Xiaomi 15 and 15 Ultra highlights both their strengths and areas where they could improve. The Xiaomi 15 is a compact and elegant alternative to the iPhone 16 or Pixel 9, while the Xiaomi 15 Ultra stands out as a top-tier choice for photography enthusiasts, boasting a remarkable quad-lens camera. However, the design of the Xiaomi 15 is seen as uninspired, and both models are burdened by bloatware, including Xiaomi’s app-heavy ecosystem, although some apps are uninstallable.

The Xiaomi 15 features a 6.36-inch AMOLED display, while the 15 Ultra offers a larger 6.73-inch screen. Both phones have exceptional displays with peak brightness reaching 3,200 nits, supporting Dolby Vision and HDR10+. Despite lacking Qi2 support for magnetic accessories, both phones excel in charging speed, with the 15 Ultra supporting up to 80-watt wireless charging.

The 15 Ultra’s standout feature is its camera system, including a 50-megapixel main sensor, 50-megapixel floating telephoto lens, and 200-megapixel periscope telephoto lens, offering 4.3X optical zoom and 120X digital zoom. This camera setup is ideal for landscape, portrait, and nighttime shots. The AI-powered software, HyperOS 2, brings useful features like transcription and photo editing tools, though some AI tools, such as writing suggestions, are less polished compared to competitors.

Both phones are powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, with 12 GB of RAM in the Xiaomi 15 and 16 GB in the 15 Ultra. Battery life is solid, with the 15 Ultra’s larger battery offering a full day of use. The 15 Ultra is available for £1,299, while the Xiaomi 15 starts at £849, with the Photography Kit for the 15 Ultra priced at £179. Despite these strengths, potential buyers may find better alternatives like the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra or Honor Magic 7 Pro, and Xiaomi’s bloatware remains a sticking point for some users.