Xiaomi 15 Review: A Familiar Face?

Introduction

The Xiaomi 15 has gone global, stepping into the flagship arena to compete with the likes of the Galaxy S25 and iPhone 16. However, one issue might disappoint Xiaomi fans: at first glance, it looks nearly identical to its predecessor. If you place the Xiaomi 15 next to the Xiaomi 14, you’d struggle to tell them apart.

But is that necessarily a bad thing? Let’s dive into a full review covering design, display, cameras, performance, software, and battery life to find out if the Xiaomi 15 is worth your attention.

Availability

The Xiaomi 15 series, including the Ultra model, is available globally through third-party retailers or Xiaomi’s online store. However, US customers will find it difficult to purchase, as it’s not carried by major telecom providers. Your best bet is Amazon, but carrier trade-in deals and discounts won’t apply.

Design and Display

The Xiaomi 15 closely follows its predecessor’s design. The back is now completely flat, and the camera module remains a square bump in the top left corner. The dual-LED flash has been repositioned within the phone’s body. The aluminum frame has a matte finish, slightly curved edges, and feels comfortable to hold. The device comes in Black, White, Silver, Green, and Lilac, with the White variant featuring Xiaomi Shield Glass for better fingerprint resistance.

The 6.36-inch OLED display boasts a 1-120Hz dynamic refresh rate, 2670 x 1200 resolution (~460 PPI), HDR10+ support, and TÜV Rheinland eye protection certifications. The peak brightness reaches an impressive 3200 nits, making it easy to view even under sunlight. Although Xiaomi brands this as a "custom M9 panel," it’s only a minor upgrade from the Xiaomi 14’s display. Still, it competes well against rivals like the Galaxy S25 and iPhone 16.

Camera System

The Xiaomi 15 features a familiar triple-camera setup: a 50MP main sensor (Light Fusion 900), a 50MP ultrawide camera (JN1), and a 50MP telephoto lens (JN5). The telephoto camera now offers a 2.6x optical zoom with a 60mm focal length, providing sharper results than digital zoom.

Photo quality remains excellent, with well-balanced colors, good dynamic range, and sharp detail. The ultrawide lens performs adequately but shows some softness and shadow compression. Meanwhile, the new telephoto sensor offers improved portrait shots, but 5x hybrid zoom quality falls slightly short of expectations.

Performance and Benchmarks

Powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite, the Xiaomi 15 delivers top-tier performance rivaling the Apple A18 Pro. With 12GB of LPDDR5X RAM and up to 512GB of storage, multitasking and AI-driven features run smoothly. Benchmark scores place it among the best Android flagships, though thermal throttling can occur under stress.

Software: HyperOS 2

Running Android 15 with Xiaomi’s HyperOS 2, the phone introduces AI-enhanced features like real-time translation, AI-assisted note summaries, and photo editing tools. Google’s "Circle to Search" feature is also included. Xiaomi promises four years of major OS updates and five years of security patches.

Battery Life and Charging

Xiaomi has upgraded the battery to 5240mAh using silicon-carbon technology, increasing capacity without enlarging the phone’s footprint. Fast charging is a highlight, with 90W wired and 50W wireless charging capabilities.

Audio and Haptics

The Xiaomi 15 includes stereo speakers, but the small body limits audio quality. While decent, sound compression and distortion at high frequencies are noticeable. Haptic feedback is precise but lacks the punch of larger competitors. There’s no 3.5mm headphone jack, which is expected in modern flagships.

Should You Buy It?

The Xiaomi 15 is a solid compact flagship with a bright OLED display, improved battery tech, and a powerful Snapdragon 8 Elite processor. However, at €999, it’s priced similarly to the iPhone 16 Pro. The similarities to the Xiaomi 14-both in design and hardware-make it a tough sell for upgraders. In the US, limited availability makes it even less appealing compared to alternatives like the Galaxy S25, iPhone 16, and Pixel 9 Pro, which are easier to obtain and sometimes more affordable.