The Xiaomi 15 is the flagship that defies the trend of oversized smartphones. With flagship-level specs and a compact form factor, it provides a powerful alternative for those who want a device that fits comfortably in one hand without sacrificing high-end features. From a Leica-powered camera system to a sleek, bezel-free design, this phone is built for those who appreciate performance and aesthetics. In a market dominated by large, feature-rich devices, the Xiaomi 15 stands out as a refined, compact option that doesn’t compromise on power or user experience.
Available in four distinct colours — Liquid Silver, White, Black, and Green — the Xiaomi 15 allows users to choose a model that best fits their style. Whether you prefer a sleek, modern look or a vibrant, eye-catching shade, there’s an option for everyone.
Compact design with powerful visuals
The Xiaomi 15 takes a bold step with its all-around fluid design, focusing on a compact and ergonomic experience without compromising on performance or display quality. Weighing just 192g and with a thickness of only 8.08mm, this device is one of the most pocket-friendly premium phones available. Its sleek, micro-curved aluminium frame ensures that the phone looks good and feels comfortable in the hand.
The phone sports a 6.36-inch CrystalRes AMOLED display. Offering a resolution of 2670 x 1200 and an impressive peak brightness of 3200 nits, the Xiaomi 15 guarantees vibrant colours and sharp clarity, even under direct sunlight. With a refresh rate of up to 120Hz, the display adjusts seamlessly to the content being viewed, whether scrolling through social media, watching a video, or playing fast-paced games.
Additionally, Xiaomi’s innovation in display technology is evident with the 1.38mm ultra-thin bezels surrounding the screen. This results in an immersive viewing experience, allowing users to enjoy more screen space while keeping the device compact and stylish. The phone’s bezel-free design gives it a futuristic look, with the bezels on the bottom reduced by up to 20%, a significant improvement made possible using advanced LIPO display packaging technology.
Snapdragon 8 Elite Mobile Platform with cutting-edge AI
Under the hood, the Xiaomi 15 is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite Mobile Platform, built with a 3nm process for enhanced efficiency and performance. This powerful chip, coupled with the Oryon CPU, ensures the phone runs smoothly even when tackling intensive tasks. From gaming to multitasking and video editing, the Xiaomi 15 offers high-end performance without the lag or stutter commonly associated with less powerful devices.
The AI performance is equally impressive, with Xiaomi HyperAI offering a range of enhancements, from intelligent task management to real-time performance adjustments. This system learns from user behaviour, optimising performance for the best possible experience. Whether you’re running heavy apps or capturing complex images, the Xiaomi 15 can easily handle it.
Moreover, the Xiaomi 15 benefits from exceptional energy efficiency, extending battery life and ensuring the phone stays cool during prolonged use. It’s a device that balances power and efficiency, making it ideal for users who need a smartphone that can handle demanding tasks without draining the battery quickly.
In terms of software, the Xiaomi 15 runs on Xiaomi’s HyperOS, the company’s own custom operating system. HyperOS is designed to offer a smooth, responsive interface with added functionality that enhances the user experience. The OS integrates seamlessly with Xiaomi’s ecosystem, making it easy to connect with other Xiaomi devices like tablets and wearables. While it delivers a clean and efficient UI, some users may find the settings menu slightly more complex compared to other Android skins, as Xiaomi’s layout tends to differ from the standard Android setup. However, the OS shines in its optimised app management, quick toggles, and the smooth transition between tasks, providing a cohesive experience for everyday users. HyperOS also supports advanced features like the AI-driven task management system and offers additional personalisation options, ensuring the phone adapts to the user’s preferences over time.
Stellar camera system with Leica optics
The Xiaomi 15’s Leica-powered camera system brings professional-grade photography capabilities to a compact device, allowing users to capture everything from wide-angle landscapes to intricate macro shots with ease.
The 50MP Leica main camera, equipped with a Light Fusion 900 high-dynamic-range sensor, delivers excellent detail even in low-light conditions. The f/1.62 large aperture and 2.4μm superpixel size ensure that the phone performs exceptionally well in different lighting scenarios. For instance, the image of the red vending machine illustrates the camera’s ability to capture vivid colours and sharp contrasts in well-lit, indoor settings, showcasing its clarity and colour accuracy.
The 60mm Leica floating telephoto lens, one of the features of the Xiaomi 15, allows users to shift the focus distance, allowing for a macro range as close as 10cm. This capability is beautifully demonstrated in the close-up images of flowers, where the camera delivers stunning detail and smooth bokeh effects. The vibrant red flowers stand out clearly, with the lush green leaves blurred into a creamy background — a hallmark of a well-optimised telephoto lens for portrait and macro photography.
In addition to macro capabilities, the 14mm ultra-wide camera offers expansive, crisp shots of wide scenes. The image of the colourful mural on a building perfectly illustrates how the ultra-wide lens maintains sharpness across the entire frame, with minimal distortion at the edges. Whether shooting large outdoor scenes or cramped indoor spaces, the ultra-wide lens captures every detail with stunning clarity.
For portraits, the Xiaomi 15’s AI-driven PortraitLM 2.0 feature refines depth and bokeh effects, ensuring that subjects stand out with professional-level detail and focus. The close-ups of the flowers exemplify this, with the AI smartly separating the subject from the background. The contrast between the sharp details of the flowers and the smooth, blurred leaves behind them highlights the depth and natural bokeh effect that users can expect from the camera.
Additionally, the Xiaomi 15’s AI Creativity Assistant enhances the overall photography experience. Features like AI Reflection Removal, AI Image Expansion, and AI Image Enhancement help users take their photos to the next level, making it easier to capture clean, enhanced images in various conditions. Whether adjusting reflections or improving image clarity, the camera’s AI tools make editing a breeze, as seen in the vibrant and well-contrasted flower shots.
Long-lasting battery life and fast charging
Battery life is a crucial consideration for any modern smartphone, and the Xiaomi 15 excels in this area. Despite its compact design, it packs a 5240mAh battery that offers impressive endurance. Users can expect up to 25 hours of video playback, making it perfect for all-day use without the constant need for a charger.
One of the phone’s best features is its fast charging capabilities. The 90W HyperCharge system allows for rapid top-ups, while the 50W wireless charging ensures that users can quickly charge their device without needing to plug it in. The Xiaomi Surge Battery Management System, paired with intelligent charging technologies, extends the battery’s lifespan, ensuring it remains effective even after numerous charge cycles.
With Xiaomi’s focus on both performance and efficiency, the Xiaomi 15 delivers excellent battery life and fast charging speeds, ensuring that users spend less time charging and more time using their devices.
The verdict: Xiaomi 15
The Xiaomi 15 is a well-rounded, compact flagship that offers premium features without the bulk. Its sleek design, sharp AMOLED display, and Leica-powered camera system are the key highlights, while its Snapdragon 8 Elite platform ensures top-tier performance across the board. The device’s small form factor is complemented by a strong battery life and rapid charging, making it a powerful yet practical choice for those who need a compact phone.
While the Xiaomi 15 may not have the ultra-zoom capabilities of larger, more expensive models, its versatile camera system and AI enhancements more than make up for it. With a design that blends aesthetics with functionality and a performance level that outpaces many competitors, the Xiaomi 15 offers fantastic value with its sweet price point.
Overall, the Xiaomi 15 is an excellent choice for users looking for a compact, powerful device that doesn’t skimp on features or performance. It sets a new standard for small phones in 2025, proving that good things come in small packages.
