The Xiaomi 14 Ultra was one of many finest telephones of 2024, thanks in no small half to an superior digital camera system that took a few of the finest photographs I’ve ever seen from a digital camera telephone. At the center of this was its 1-inch sort picture sensor, which is bodily bigger than the sensors present in nearly every other telephone. The end result? Great-looking photographs in quite a lot of situations.But it is 2025 now and the Xiaomi 15 Ultra is right here to attempt to tempt extra photographers away from Apple’s clutches. The telephone has had quite a lot of updates, together with the highly effective Snapdragon 8 Elite processor and a number of recent AI abilities — as a result of apparently, all telephones must have AI in-built whether or not you prefer it or not. And whereas the digital camera hasn’t seen many updates, there are a couple of tweaks to maintain photographers . Read extra: MWC 2025: All the Phones, Wearables, Robots and AI Live From Barcelona
MWC 2025: Xiaomi’s Photography-Focused 15 Ultra Is a Powerhouse
See all photographs The Xiaomi 15 Ultra international model was introduced at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. It goes on sale within the UK and wider Europe later this month for £1,299 with 512GB of storage or £1,499 if you’d like 1TB. As with different Xiaomi telephones, the 15 Ultra won’t be in the stores within the US, however for reference, that base UK value converts to $1,630 or AU$2,630.Here are crucial issues to know in regards to the Xiaomi 15 Ultra.Xiaomi 15 Ultra digital camera The Xiaomi 15 Ultra comes with 4 generations of OS updates together with six years of safety help. Andrew Lanxon/CNETI was shocked by the huge picture sensor contained in the 14 Ultra’s most important digital camera, so I suppose I must be happy that the 15 Ultra has saved it. But I’m a bit disenchanted that it is actually the identical mannequin — the Sony LYT-900. Sure, it is a fantastic sensor and never that outdated, however I had hoped to see Xiaomi take its profitable formulation from final yr and make it even higher. Maybe the lens is best? On paper, I’d truly argue there’s been a downgrade. The 14 Ultra had a uncommon variable aperture, which went from vast open at f/1.6 and will shut right down to f/4. It allowed for enticing star-burst results when capturing factors of sunshine at nighttime. The 15 Ultra has gotten rid of this and as a substitute has a set f/1.6 aperture — Xiaomi says it may obtain the identical results “through software optimization and algorithm updates.” Sigh.
I Took Hundreds of Photos With the Xiaomi 15 Ultra. These Are My Faves
See all photographs Read extra: Best Android Phone of 2025Whilst you can modify the depth of subject power (the quantity of background blur behind your topic) within the portrait mode, I’ve discovered a few issues mistaken. First, the picture with the blur does not save once you take it, so it seems the identical it doesn’t matter what faux aperture you set it as. This might be simply early software program issues and I’m positive they’re going to be mounted. But the shortage of actual adjustable aperture additionally means you do not get the great star bursts on avenue lights at night time anymore.Those starbursts are in all probability a distinct segment factor to be enthusiastic about, however they really remodeled the look of night time photographs and the impact was one in every of my favourite issues about capturing with the 14 Ultra. To see this sort of innovation chucked out in favor of a software-based “solution” is irritating. It’s additionally precisely what I complained a lot about final yr, with AI being the one space the place corporations are innovating now. Ironically, in that article, I applauded Xiaomi for the 14 Ultra, however I will not have the ability to with this new mannequin. Here’s the Xiaomi 15 Ultra’s digital camera app. Andrew Lanxon/CNETIt’s additionally odd to see that the ultrawide digital camera’s aperture has been dropped from f/1.8 to f/2.2. The solely precise improve to the cameras I can see is that the telephoto zoom decision is larger for better-looking zoomed-in pictures. Photos taken with the Xiaomi 15 UltraIt’s nonetheless a strong digital camera setup although and I’ve taken some pictures in my testing that I like. As with the 14 Ultra, the digital camera is licensed by Leica, and there are some Leica-approved shade kinds to select from, my favourite of which stays the excessive distinction black and white mode. It’s nice for punchy monochrome avenue images. You can see a number of my check photographs right here, but additionally try my longer gallery of examples when you’re eager to see extra of this digital camera in motion.
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Vibrant colours and nice publicity and element from this outside shot taken on the primary digital camera. Andrew Lanxon/CNET
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I cherished utilizing the Leica excessive distinction black and white mode for punchy avenue images in Edinburgh. Andrew Lanxon/CNET
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Taken in uncooked and edited in Lightroom, the digital camera’s capacity to seize lovely gentle and shadow has resulted in a great-looking pic of my gorgeous ball of pleasant furry surprise. Andrew Lanxon/CNET
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This night time time shot from the primary digital camera seems superior, although I’d prefer it much more with a refined star burst on the road gentle. Andrew Lanxon/CNET
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Using the telephoto zoom lens, I’ve been in a position to fill the body with the awkwardness of this avenue performer forcing two strangers to carry palms for an prolonged interval. Andrew Lanxon/CNET
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And right here the telephoto zoom has captured a pleasant pure bokeh round this couple. Andrew Lanxon/CNETXiaomi’s Photography Kit is optionally available for the 15 UltraSure, you should buy the 15 Ultra with the identical Photography Kit that was provided with final yr’s mannequin. It features a case, a powered grip with shutter button and an attachable ring that permits you to use common 67mm images filters. The grip is superior. It clicks in neatly, provides some additional battery life to the telephone and the shutter button and settings wheel can help you shoot similar to you had been utilizing a compact digital camera. It’s far more comfy than taking photographs with out it.It’s been up to date too, with a brand new thumb grip attachment to make it a bit simpler to carry. There’s additionally a soft-touch, screw-in shutter launch button, which is greater and simpler to shortly discover and hit than the unique button it screws into. If you are eager on utilizing your telephone for avenue or journey images, the Photography Kit is price getting. Look on the Xiaomi 15 Ultra carrying its optionally available Photographer’s Kit. Andrew Lanxon/CNETThe Snapdragon 8 Elite chip is a powerhouseThe Snapdragon 8 Elite chip discovered contained in the Xiaomi 15 Ultra has already impressed us on telephones just like the OnePlus 13 and its energy is noticeable right here, too. It put in notable scores on our benchmark assessments, whereas on a regular basis operation is quick and lag-free. It’s nice for players, too, with demanding titles like Genshin Impact enjoying easily at max settings and at 60 frames per second. Qualcomm’s 8 Elite chip is not simply designed for uncooked energy although, it is constructed for higher AI processing. Which brings me neatly on to…New AI abilities with Gemini on the Xiaomi 15 UltraGoogle Gemini and Gemini superior are in-built as commonplace, together with the conversational Gemini Live and Circle to Search. But Xiaomi has thrown in a couple of of its personal options, too. There’s a generative textual content device to create blocks of textual content primarily based in your prompts, together with a useful device that creates textual content transcriptions from voice recordings — nice for a busy tech journalist.There’s additionally quite a lot of image-focused AI instruments for increasing a picture utilizing generative AI, eradicating issues in a scene or just sharpening the image. The AI instruments all work in addition to I’d hope, however it’s price protecting in thoughts that every one of them require an web connection to be able to use — together with the voice transcript device, for some cause. The Xiaomi 15 Ultra runs on Android 15. Andrew Lanxon/CNETAn acceptable software program help intervalThe 15 Ultra launches with Android 15 on board, and Xiaomi guarantees it’s going to obtain 4 generations of Android updates together with six years of safety help. It’s lower than what each Samsung and Google present for his or her flagships (seven years of each software program and safety help) and I’d definitely have preferred to see Xiaomi match, and even beat its rivals right here, particularly contemplating the excessive value of the telephone. Still, a shelf lifetime of six years is first rate sufficient (a 3rd of individuals preserve their telephones for 3 years or longer) and matches what OnePlus presents for its current OnePlus 13 flagship. The remainder of the telephone is stable tooBattery life is nice, however not excellent. On our demanding video streaming check it held out higher than the OnePlus 13 however did not do fairly in addition to the Galaxy S25 Ultra. You can safely anticipate a day of use however as with all telephones you may in all probability need to give it a full cost in a single day. The 6.7-inch show is vibrant, vibrant and pin sharp. Videos look nice, as do colourful cellular video games.The telephone is IP68 rated to assist preserve it protected from spilled drinks, too. All in all, it is a telephone that ticks just about each field you’d anticipate from one in every of as we speak’s flagships. I simply want I’d seen extra innovation within the cameras for this yr’s mannequin. Still, there is not any query that it nonetheless takes very good photographs that rival any of as we speak’s flagships. If you are on the lookout for a high-performance Android telephone to make use of as your most important digital camera in your travels, it is definitely price contemplating. Xiaomi 15 Ultra specs vs. Xiaomi 14 Ultra, Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, OnePlus 13 Xiaomi 15 UltraXiaomi 14 UltraSamsung Galaxy S25 UltraOnePlus 13Show dimension, tech, decision, refresh price 6.73-inch AMOLED; 3,200×1,440 pixels; 1 – 120Hz adaptive refresh price 6.73-inch AMOLED; 3,200×1,440 pixels, 1-120Hz adaptive refresh rate6.8-inch AMOLED; 3,120×1,440 pixels; 1-120Hz adaptive refresh rate6.82-inch AMOLED; 3,168×1,440 pixels; 1-120Hz adaptive refresh ratePixel density 522ppi522 ppi501 ppi510ppiDimensions (inches) Black and white: 6.35 x 2.96 x 0.37 in.; Silver chrome: 16.35 x 2.96 x 0.37 in.6.35 x 2.96 x 0.36 in6.41 x 3.06 x 0.32 in.6.41×3.01×0.33 in. (arctic daybreak/black eclipse); 6.41×3.01×0.35 in. (midnight ocean)Dimensions (millimeters) Black and white: 161.3 x 75.3 x 9.35 mm; Silver chrome: 161.3 x 75.3 x 9.48 mm 161.4 x 75.3 x 9.2mm162.8 x 77.6 x 8.2 mm162.9×76.5×8.5mm (arctic daybreak/black eclipse); 162.9×76.5×8.9mm (midnight ocean)Weight (grams, ounces) Black and white: 226g (7.97 oz.); Silver chrome: 229g (8.08 oz.)220g (7.8 oz.)218g (7.69 oz.)213g (7.51 oz.) — arctic daybreak/black eclipse; 210g (7.4 oz.) — midnight oceanMobile software program Android 15Android 14Android 15Android 15Digital camera 50-megapixel (vast), 50-megapixel (ultrawide), 70-megapixel (3x telephoto), 200-megapixel (4x telephoto)50-megapixel (vast), 50-megapixel (ultrawide), 50-megapixel (3.2x telephoto), 50-megapixel (5x telephoto)200-megapixel (vast), 50-megapixel (ultrawide), 10-megapixel (3x telephoto), 50-megapixel (5x telephoto)50 megapixel (vast), 50 megapixel (3x telephoto), 50 megapixel (ultrawide)Front-facing digital camera 32-megapixel32-megapixel12-megapixel 32 megapixelVideo seize 8K8K8K8KProcessor Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 EliteQualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite for GalaxyQualcomm Snapdragon 8 EliteRAM + storage 16GB + 512GB, 1TB16GB + 512GB12GB RAM + 256GB, 512GB, 1TB12GB + 256GB; 16GB + 512GBExpandable storage NoneNoneNoneNoneBattery 5,410mAh5,000 mAh5,000 mAh6,000 mAhFingerprint sensor Under showUnder showUnder showUnder displayConnector USB-CUSB-CUSB-CUSB-CHeadphone jack NoneNoneNoneNoneSpecial options UFS 4.1 storage, NDR10+, Dolby Vision, 90W quick charging, 80W wi-fi charging, Xiaomi HyperAI, Google Gemini, Circle to Search, Ultrasonic in-screen fingerprint sensor, NFC, Dual SIM (nano or eSIM), Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6.0, IP68 score for water and dirt resistance, Android 15/Xiaomi HyperOS 2IP68 score, 3,000 nits peak brightness, Xiaomi Shield Glass Front, 4 Generations of Android help, 90W wired charging, 80W wi-fi charging, Wi-Fi 7, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HDR10, HLG, 16-bit Ultra Raw photographs, Titanium body, 2,600-nit peak brightness; 7 years of OS and safety updates; 5G (mmWave); IP68 water and dirt resistance; wi-fi PowerShare to cost different units; built-in S Pen; UWB for locating different units; 45W wired charging (charger not included); Galaxy AI; Wi-Fi 7; Gorilla Glass Armor cowl glass; ultrawideband80W SuperVooc wired charging, 50W AirVooc wi-fi charging, alert slider, Bluetooth 5.4, NFC, IP68 and IP69 licensed, Ceramic Guard, Aqua Touch 2.0, 4 years of software program updates, 6 years of safety updates, LTPO 4.1 displayUS value begins at Converts to $1,630Converts to $1,646 (512GB)$1,300 (256GB)$900 (12GB + 256GB); $1,000 (16GB + 512GB)UK value begins at £1,299 (512GB)£1,299 (512GB)£1,249 (256GB)£899 (12GB + 256GB); £999 (16GB + 512GB)Australia value begins at Converts to AU$2,630Converts to AU$2,509 (512GB)AU$2,149 (256GB)N/A
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