The Xiaomi 15 offers powerful performance and a great camera in a compact design, but suffers from bloatware, heating issues, and an unremarkable design, making it a competitive but not perfect flagship.


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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.

FAQ

The Xiaomi 15 boasts impressive performance thanks to its powerful processor and a top-notch camera system that captures stunning photos and videos. Its compact size is also a major plus for users who prefer smaller phones.

The phone struggles with overheating, especially under heavy load. It also comes pre-installed with a significant amount of bloatware, which can impact performance and storage. The design is considered unremarkable by some.

The Xiaomi 15's camera is a strong point, receiving positive reviews for its image quality and features. It holds its own against many flagship competitors, offering excellent low-light performance and detailed shots.

The Xiaomi 15 offers a compelling combination of power and a compact form factor, but the bloatware and heating issues are significant drawbacks. Whether it's worth buying depends on your priorities and tolerance for these shortcomings. Consider comparing it to other flagships.

While not explicitly mentioned in the provided text, the heating issues may suggest that battery life might be affected, potentially resulting in shorter usage times under heavy use. Further testing would be needed to confirm this.

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