Abdelrahman
Xiaomi has unveiled its flagship smartphone, the Xiaomi 15 Ultra, during a launch event in China, with a starting price of 6,499 yuan (approximately $893). This latest addition joins the Xiaomi 15 and 15 Pro models that became available in October 2024. While the Ultra is primarily an incremental upgrade from the previous year’s version, a notable enhancement is the introduction of a 200-megapixel periscope camera designed to perform exceptionally well in low-light conditions. The entire 15 series, including the Ultra, is set for an international debut at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona on Sunday, March 2nd. Although it remains unclear which markets will receive the device, it is unlikely that it will launch in the United States.
The Xiaomi Ultra series has always prioritized camera capabilities, arguably more than the flagship models from competitors like Samsung and Apple, and the 15 Ultra is no exception. Similar to its predecessor, the 14 Ultra, it features a quad-camera setup housed in a prominent circular module on the back. This design mimics that of Leica’s dedicated camera systems and includes the signature two-tone silver and black finish, along with a compact “Ultra” logo on one of the phone’s variants, which will be available in simpler black or white options.
One of the standout features of the 15 Ultra is its 200-megapixel 4.3x periscope lens, which draws inspiration from similar systems in Vivo’s X100 Ultra and X200 Pro, as well as Honor’s Magic 7 Pro. While this new lens offers a shorter zoom range compared to the 5x periscope on the 14 Ultra, it compensates with a larger sensor, quicker aperture, and higher resolution, leading to improved light capture and enhanced zoom capabilities in challenging lighting conditions. The phone was even internally dubbed “Night God” by Xiaomi, emphasizing its focus on low-light photography.
The three additional rear cameras are each 50-megapixels and maintain a configuration reminiscent of last year’s model, albeit with minor tweaks. The most significant alteration is found in the primary camera, which has transitioned from a variable aperture system to a fast fixed aperture of f/1.63.
Accompanying the phone is Xiaomi’s third-generation Photography Kit, an optional accessory that includes a case and camera grip. Notably sporting a new red design, this upgraded kit features a slightly larger 2,000mAh battery, allowing it to double as a portable power bank. It retains its essential camera functions, including a shutter button, video button, zoom lever, and exposure dial.
In terms of hardware, the Xiaomi 15 Ultra boasts the latest Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, alongside a 6.73-inch display that supports a refresh rate of 1-120Hz and achieves a peak HDR brightness of 3,200 nits. It continues to have an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance. The battery capacity has increased to 6,000mAh, but the charging speeds remain unchanged at 90W wired and 80W wireless. Additionally, there is still no indication of Qi2 compatibility in this model.
Last year’s 14 Ultra was widely praised for its camera capabilities, and expectations are high for the Xiaomi 15 Ultra to meet or exceed those standards. The enhancements, especially the new periscope lens, have piqued interest, and there is anticipation around its potential performance in the competitive smartphone photography landscape.
