Xiaomi 15 Mobile Review: A Compact Flagship Contender?
Xiaomi's Xiaomi 15 finally arrives internationally, challenging the likes of Samsung's S25, iPhone 16, and Google Pixel 9. At AED 3,299, does it deliver?
Design and Features
The Xiaomi 15 boasts a compact 6.36” display within a 191g body. Its flat glass design, while unremarkable, feels solid thanks to Dragon Crystal Glass and an aluminum alloy frame with IP68 rating. However, the average design and noticeable camera bump are drawbacks. The Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, paired with up to 16GB RAM and 1TB storage, ensures blazing-fast performance. HyperOS 2.0, based on Android 15, is smooth but suffers from bloatware.
Display and Speakers
The 6.36” LTPO OLED display shines with vibrant colors, deep blacks, and a 120Hz refresh rate. But, outdoor visibility could be better. The stereo speakers are adequate for casual media consumption but lack bass and can sound tinny at higher volumes.
Camera Performance
The Leica-branded triple-camera system delivers excellent daylight photos with great detail and dynamic range. Zoom capabilities (up to 5x) are impressive, but the ultrawide struggles with detail. Portrait mode excels, but low-light performance shows some softness.
Operating System, Performance, and Battery Life
HyperOS 2.0 with Android 15 is incredibly smooth, thanks to the Snapdragon 8 Elite. AI features are plentiful, though some rely on cloud processing. Benchmark scores are excellent. The 5,240mAh battery provides almost two days of use, supported by 90W HyperCharge (charger sold separately).
Should You Buy the Xiaomi 15?
The Xiaomi 15 is a strong compact flagship option, especially considering its price. However, its heating issues and average design might deter some. If you value performance, excellent cameras, and long battery life in a smaller form factor, it's worth considering. But, the bloatware and availability of discounted competitors like the Samsung S25 make it a tougher sell.