The Xiaomi 15 Ultra: A Promising Flagship with a Few Missed Opportunities

The Xiaomi 15 Ultra is the latest addition to Xiaomi’s lineup of high-end smartphones, and it arrives with a reputation to uphold. Its predecessor, the Xiaomi 14 Ultra, was celebrated for its incredible camera system, which set a new benchmark for smartphone photography. With the 15 Ultra, Xiaomi aims to build on that success, but this year’s model feels more like an incremental update rather than a revolutionary leap forward. While it retains much of what made the 14 Ultra great, some of the changes—or lack thereof—might disappoint enthusiasts who were hoping for more innovation.

The Camera System: Mostly the Same, but Still Exceptional

The camera system of the Xiaomi 15 Ultra remains one of its standout features, even if it hasn’t evolved much from last year’s model. The phone still boasts a massive 1-inch type image sensor, the Sony IMX989 (LYT-900), which was a key factor in the 14 Ultra’s photography prowess. This sensor continues to deliver excellent results, capturing vibrant colors, sharp details, and impressive dynamic range in various lighting conditions. The partnership with Leica also remains intact, offering unique color profiles that add a creative edge to your photos. For instance, the Leica-approved high-contrast black-and-white mode is still a standout feature for street and monochrome photography.

However, the lack of significant upgrades to the camera hardware is a letdown. The main sensor is the same as last year’s, and the variable aperture feature, which allowed for adjustable f/1.6 to f/4, has been replaced with a fixed f/1.6 aperture. While Xiaomi claims this change doesn’t affect image quality and that starburst effects can be achieved through software, fans of the 14 Ultra might miss the unique aesthetic that the adjustable aperture provided. Additionally, the ultrawide camera’s aperture has been downgraded from f/1.8 to f/2.2, which could potentially affect its low-light performance. On the positive side, the telephoto zoom has seen a resolution bump, resulting in sharper and more detailed zoomed-in shots.

Despite these tweaks, the Xiaomi 15 Ultra still takes excellent photos, rivaling the best camera phones on the market. The camera app is intuitive, and the ability to shoot in raw format and edit images using tools like Lightroom gives photographers more creative control. Night mode, in particular, delivers stunning results, even if the absence of starburst effects feels like a step backward for some users.

The Photography Kit: AMust-Have for Enthusiasts

One feature that sets the Xiaomi 15 Ultra apart from its competitors is the optional Photography Kit. This accessory bundle, which was also available for the 14 Ultra, includes a powered grip with a shutter button, a protective case, and an attachable ring for using 67mm photography filters. The grip, in particular, transforms the phone into a more comfortable and familiar tool for photography enthusiasts. It not only extends the phone’s battery life but also adds a physical shutter button and a settings wheel, giving users a more tactile and immersive shooting experience.

Xiaomi has refined the kit for the 15 Ultra, introducing a new thumb grip attachment for better ergonomics and a larger, soft-touch shutter button that’s easier to press. For street or travel photographers, the Photography Kit is an essential add-on, making the Xiaomi 15 Ultra feel more like a compact camera than a smartphone. The ability to use standard photography filters also adds a layer of versatility for creative shooters.

Performance and Power: The Snapdragon 8 Elite Delivers

Under the hood, the Xiaomi 15 Ultra packs the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, a powerhouse of a processor that has already impressed in other flagship devices like the OnePlus 13. The phone delivers buttery-smooth performance in everyday tasks, from swiping through apps to multitasking with several demanding processes running in the background. For gamers, the Xiaomi 15 Ultra is a dream come true, handling graphic-intensive titles like Genshin Impact at max settings and 60 frames per second without breaking a sweat.

The Snapdragon 8 Elite isn’t just about raw power; it’s also optimized for AI tasks. This is evident in the phone’s new AI-driven features, which range from generative text tools to advanced image editing capabilities. While these features are undeniably useful, it’s worth noting that they require an internet connection to function, which might be a minor inconvenience for some users.

AI Features: A Mixed Bag of Innovation and Frustration

The Xiaomi 15 Ultra comes with Google’s Gemini AI suite, including Gemini Live for real-time conversations and Circle to Search for object recognition. In addition, Xiaomi has added its own AI tools, such as a text generator and a transcription feature for voice recordings. These features work well, but the reliance on AI for certain functionalities feels like a double-edged sword. On one hand, AI enhances the phone’s capabilities, making it more versatile and user-friendly. On the other hand, the shift toward software-based solutions for hardware limitations, like the fixed aperture, feels like a compromise.

The camera app, for instance, now relies on AI to simulate certain effects that were previously achieved through hardware. While these software-based solutions are impressive, they can’t fully replace the creative control offered by physical hardware. For example, the inability to adjust the aperture manually means that users can’t achieve the same level of artistic expression in their photos. For casual shooters, this might not be an issue, but for photography enthusiasts, it could be a deal-breaker.

Software Support and Longevity: Decent, but Room for Improvement

The Xiaomi 15 Ultra ships with Android 15 and is promised to receive four generations of OS updates and six years of security support. While this is commendable, it falls short of the seven years of software and security updates offered by competitors like Samsung and Google. For a premium device in this price range, it’s reasonable to expect a longer commitment to software updates, especially considering how quickly smartphones evolve.

That said, six years of security support is still a solid offering and matches what brands like OnePlus provide for their flagships. Coupled with the phone’s IP68 rating for dust and water resistance, the Xiaomi 15 Ultra feels like a durable and reliable choice for users who want a device that will last for several years.

Conclusion: A Strong But Conservative Upgrade

The Xiaomi 15 Ultra is an excellent smartphone that checks most of the boxes for a flagship device. Its camera system, while not significantly improved, remains one of the best in the business, and the optional Photography Kit adds a unique layer of functionality for enthusiasts. The Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset ensures top-tier performance, and the AI features, while sometimes over-relied upon, offer practical benefits.

However, the lack of meaningful camera upgrades and the decision to swap the variable aperture for a fixed one are bound to disappoint some users. Additionally, the limited software support compared to rivals might give potential buyers pause, especially at this price point. Despite these shortcomings, the Xiaomi 15 Ultra is still a compelling choice for anyone seeking a high-performance Android phone with exceptional photography capabilities. If you’re willing to overlook a few missed opportunities, it could be your next go-to device for capturing life’s moments.