My Take on the Xiaomi 15: Small Phone, Big Questions
So, the Xiaomi 15 finally hit the international market, and everyone’s buzzing. It’s going head-to-head with the big boys – Samsung’s S25, the iPhone 16, and the Google Pixel 9. At AED 3,299, it’s definitely trying to make a statement. But does it live up to the hype?
First Impressions: Design and Feel
Right off the bat, the Xiaomi 15 is impressively compact. It’s got a 6.36-inch display, which feels surprisingly manageable in your hand (it only weighs 191g!). The flat glass design is… well, it's there. Nothing groundbreaking, but the Dragon Crystal Glass and aluminum alloy frame feel sturdy. It even has an IP68 rating, which is a plus. However, that camera bump is pretty noticeable, and the overall design isn't exactly screaming "next-gen."
Under the hood, it’s packing some serious power. The Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset is lightning fast, especially when paired with up to 16GB of RAM and 1TB of storage. Honestly, it flies. HyperOS 2.0, based on Android 15, is smooth sailing most of the time. But let's be real, the bloatware is a bit of a bummer.
The Screen and Sound
The 6.36-inch LTPO OLED display is gorgeous. Colors pop, blacks are deep, and that 120Hz refresh rate makes everything feel silky smooth. But, and this is a big but, outdoor visibility isn’t great. You’ll struggle to see it clearly on a sunny day. The stereo speakers are okay for casual listening – podcasts, maybe some light music. But don’t expect any booming bass. They tend to sound a little tinny at higher volumes.
Picture This: Camera Performance
Xiaomi partnered with Leica on the triple-camera system, and the results are pretty impressive in good light. Daylight photos are packed with detail and the dynamic range is excellent. The zoom capabilities (up to 5x) are also a welcome surprise. But the ultrawide lens struggles a bit with detail, and low-light photos come out a little soft. Portrait mode, though? Spot on.
Power, Performance and Battery: A Deep Dive
Thanks to that powerful Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, HyperOS 2.0 is super snappy. The AI features are pretty neat, although some rely heavily on cloud processing. Benchmark scores? Excellent. The 5,240mAh battery is a real workhorse, easily lasting almost two full days on a single charge. It supports 90W HyperCharge, which is fantastic, though you'll need to buy the charger separately.
The Verdict: Should You Take the Plunge?
The Xiaomi 15 is a solid contender in the compact flagship arena, especially given its price. But, it’s not perfect. Those noticeable heating issues and the rather average design might be dealbreakers for some. If a smaller phone with excellent performance, a generally great camera, and amazing battery life is your top priority, then it's worth a serious look. But, the bloatware and the fact that you can often find discounted competitors like the Samsung S25 might make you pause. Ultimately, it comes down to your personal preferences and priorities.