Xiaomi 15 Ultra Android flagship phone: New telephoto lens, upgraded AI and more

The Xiaomi 15 Ultra has arrived, and it’s taking the smartphone world by storm with a perfect balance of cutting-edge technology and powerful performance. While it may look similar to its predecessor, the 14 Ultra, this new flagship offers several exciting upgrades that enhance the user experience.

Xiaomi’s Ultra lineup has long been synonymous with pushing the boundaries of smartphone innovation. Last year's 14 Ultra was a standout, especially for its groundbreaking camera system featuring a massive 1-inch sensor, setting a high bar for mobile photography. With the 15 Ultra, Xiaomi refines that formula with a new telephoto lens and upgraded AI-powered features that ensure it remains a top contender in 2025.

Let’s dive into 10 things you’ll love about the new Xiaomi 15 Ultra:

1. Smarter, Brighter Display

The Xiaomi 15 Ultra features a 6.73-inch QHD OLED display that provides brilliant visuals while maintaining a practical size. It’s 300 nits brighter than its predecessor, reaching an impressive 1,599 nits in auto mode, which enhances visibility outdoors. The screen is optimized for smooth swiping with a subtle four-way curved design and an ultrasonic fingerprint reader that works reliably—even with wet fingers. Adaptive refresh rates up to 120Hz ensure smooth scrolling, while HDR10+ and Dolby Vision bring vibrant visuals to videos.

2. Unrivaled Telephoto Lens

Xiaomi’s zoom system has received serious upgrades. The 15 Ultra introduces a 200MP periscope lens with 4.3x zoom, delivering sharper, more natural shots. A 3x telephoto lens complements this with a more practical mid-range zoom. Whether you’re zooming in at 10x or even 30x, image quality remains impressive. For zoom enthusiasts, this system is among the best available.

3. Snapdragon 8 Elite Multitasking Power

Under the hood, the Xiaomi 15 Ultra is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, offering top-tier performance for gaming, multitasking, and photography. With 16GB of RAM and UFS 4.1 storage, it handles demanding tasks without throttling, delivering consistent performance across heavy workloads. This phone is ideal for anyone who requires power and speed.

4. HyperOS 2 Customization Freedom

Xiaomi’s HyperOS 2 offers users the freedom to customize their devices. While it may not be as polished as Samsung’s One UI, HyperOS 2 has distinct advantages, including efficient AI features that run in the background, ensuring a smooth experience without interruptions. Xiaomi’s clean, functional design gives users full control over their device, while maintaining top-notch performance.

5. Generous Storage Options

Xiaomi understands the needs of power users, which is why the 15 Ultra offers up to 1TB of storage—rare for Android flagships. The phone starts with 16GB of RAM, ensuring that your device can keep up with future demands, and the larger storage options make it an ideal choice for those who store large amounts of data.

6. Premium Hardware Feel

The Xiaomi 15 Ultra is a beautifully designed phone with a premium feel. Its two-tone finish resembles a classic camera design, and the faux-leather back adds a touch of elegance. For those who prefer a more modern look, the satin black and wavy white options are available. With a thicker aluminium frame, the phone offers better handling and durability, while the knurled power button enhances grip.

7. Fastest Charging Among Flagships

The Xiaomi 15 Ultra excels in charging speeds. With 90W wired and 80W wireless charging, it outpaces competitors like the Galaxy S25 Ultra and iPhone 16 Pro Max. The phone also delivers impressive battery life with its 5,410mAh silicon-carbon battery, making it ideal for users who prioritize quick charging without sacrificing battery endurance.

8. Photography Kit for Pros

For those who want a more professional photography experience, the Photography Kit Legend Edition adds ergonomic enhancements like a 2,000mAh battery grip and a thumb grip for stability. The kit also features a 67mm filter adapter, allowing you to use pro-grade lens filters, and a shutter button with screw-in soft caps for a more DSLR-like feel.

9. AI That Goes Beyond Gemini

The Xiaomi 15 Ultra integrates both Google’s Gemini and Xiaomi’s own AI tools. Whether it’s translating, summarizing, or editing photos, the AI experience is robust and seamlessly integrated into various apps, including Notes, Gallery, and Recorder. From removing objects in photos to generating short videos, Xiaomi’s AI tools offer functionality beyond the norm, ensuring a smoother, more intelligent user experience.

10. Loud and Excellent Sounding Speakers

Xiaomi’s stereo speakers deliver excellent sound quality with balanced audio. The phone’s Dolby Atmos support ensures rich, spatial sound for a more immersive experience, whether you’re watching movies or playing games. While the bass could be stronger, the overall sound clarity and separation at high volumes make it one of the best in its class.

What Could Be Better?

While the Xiaomi 15 Ultra is impressive in many areas, there are a few areas where it could improve:

An alert slider would be a useful addition for managing notifications.

The IP68 rating, while solid, could be upgraded to IP69 for better outdoor protection.

The phone can be picky about chargers when it comes to achieving peak charging power.

Prolonged use under heavy load may cause the phone to overheat.

The selfie camera could be improved for better self-portrait results.

Availability & Pricing

The Xiaomi 15 Ultra is available globally starting from €1,499 for the 16GB/512GB variant, with a higher price for the 1TB version. Availability may be limited in certain regions, but the device is available for pre-order with bundles like photography kits and wireless chargers. While Xiaomi doesn’t officially sell its phones in the U.S., the phone will be available in the U.K. soon, starting at £1,299 (approximately $1,640).

The Verdict: A Camera Phone to Beat in 2025

The Xiaomi 15 Ultra builds on its predecessor’s reputation, delivering incredible photography capabilities, top-tier performance, and a stunning design. With improvements to its telephoto zoom and AI features, it’s one of the most powerful camera phones available. If you’re looking for a device that can handle everything from photography to gaming, this flagship is a great choice.

While it’s not perfect—its software and battery life could use a little refinement—the Xiaomi 15 Ultra stands strong against rivals like the Galaxy S25 Ultra and iPhone 16 Pro Max. For those who want the best mobile photography experience in 2025, this might just be the phone to beat.