At MWC 2025 in Barcelona, Spain, Xiaomi revealed the highly anticipated Xiaomi 15, a compact powerhouse priced at €999 in Europe (approximately $1,040).
We were on the ground and secured a unit days before the March 2 global launch, allowing us to thoroughly test its performance from Asia to Europe and back in Asia. Now, with global preorders underway, including in the Philippines where the base 12GB/256GB model starts at P45,999 (around $820), we’re ready to share what we think.
Petite and pretty
The Xiaomi 15 lands in an appealing sweet spot for us: flagship guts crammed into a pocketable package. It’s the entry point to the company’s top-tier lineup. But don’t let the “petite” label fool you. You’re getting Qualcomm’s latest and greatest Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, a proper multi-lens camera array with dedicated telephoto and ultrawide lenses, and a surprisingly hefty 5,240mAh battery, all within a frame that begs to be held.
The Xiaomi 15 keeps the familiar look and feel of its predecessor, maybe a little too closely. Don’t expect a visual revolution here. It’s remarkably similar to the Xiaomi 14 — we even found our Xiaomi 14 case fits nearly perfectly, except for a flash module cutout. (Look for the separate flash to tell them apart.) To be fair, the Xiaomi 14’s design was solid, and we liked it a lot.
However, Xiaomi did tweak the in-hand feel, and it’s a subtle but notable upgrade. This time around, the middle frame has been rounded towards the glass back instead of the other way around. It’s a touch more comfortable, a touch more refined. That glass back picks up fingerprints, but also wipes clean easily as well.
The IP68 rating is a welcome carryover, meaning the phone is protected from dust getting inside and can withstand being submerged in fresh water up to a depth of 1.5 meters or approximately 5 feet for 30 minutes. And for the flat-screen faithfuls, the 6.36-inch LTPO OLED panel returns, now framed by thinner 1.38mm bezels on all four sides, offering a classic, one-handed-friendly experience. It’s a reminder that not everyone wants a supersized device in his or her pocket.
In terms of hardware, the Xiaomi 15 is a refinement, not a reinvention. It’s a small smartphone that delivers on big promises, even if it plays it safe on the design front.
Pocket rocket
The Xiaomi 15, while maintaining a decidedly pocket-friendly profile, makes no concessions in performance. It arrives pre-loaded with Android 15-based HyperOS 2 and backed by an extensive software-support commitment: four major OS updates and six years of security patches, a notable upgrade over the company’s typical two-to-three-year update cycle.
Unsurprisingly, AI integration is central to the user experience. Google’s Gemini is deeply embedded, offering features like contextual image analysis for recipes, creative image generation, and conversational AI. System-wide Circle to Search integration is available here, too, and the Notes app is basically a mini-AI assistant for translations, proofreading, and summaries. Xiaomi has even helpfully consolidated AI feature explainers in the Settings.
But the real story? Speed. This little guy rocks the same Snapdragon 8 Elite as the top-dog Xiaomi 15 Ultra, and the brand’s claiming a 30% performance jump over previous generations. This translates to tangible improvements across the board, including expedited application load times, fluid gaming performance, and enhanced AI processing. In other words, this phone should feel super fast and responsive — and it certainly feels that way so far.
You’re also getting 12GB of LPDDR5X RAM and either 256GB or 512GB of fast UFS 4.0 storage. The battery is a chunky 5,240mAh that Xiaomi says adds three hours of actual use compared to the Xiaomi 14. Plus, you’ve got convenient 90-watt wired and 50-watt wireless charging, so you’re not stuck tethered to a wall for long.
Like the model before it, the Xiaomi 15 is a testament to the fact that a compact form factor need not necessitate a compromise in flagship-level performance.
Zoom, wide, and beyond
Now, let’s talk cameras. The Xiaomi 15’s rear imaging system is anchored by the Light Fusion 900 sensor, a 50-megapixel unit with a 1/1.31-inch format, positioned behind a 23mm-equivalent lens with an f/1.6 aperture. This configuration is designed to maximize light capture, enhancing detail rendition and low-light performance. Xiaomi has also thrown in Dual ISO Fusion for higher dynamic range.
Count on photos with impressive detail, even in poor lighting, with highlights that remain controlled and shadows that retain detail. If you’re drawn to moody shots or shooting in challenging situations, this camera phone will consistently impress.
The telephoto lens features a new 50-megapixel Samsung ISOCELL JN5 sensor, providing 3x optical zoom and retaining the floating-lens design from the previous model. Optical image stabilization or OIS is also included, which is always welcome. The ultrawide lens maintains a 50-megapixel resolution and a 115-degree field of view. Basically, you’re looking at a strong trio of lenses that gives you plenty of flexibility.
As with the Xiaomi 14, you’ve got those Leica Authentic and Leica Vibrant color filters. Vibrant’s the social media darling, with punchier colors that look great straight out of the camera. Authentic goes for a more natural, true-to-life vibe. Our testing across Barcelona, Amsterdam, and Taipei confirms the system’s consistently impressive performance.
This was us in Amsterdam! The photo was taken with the Xiaomi 15. Most of our coverage photos and videos were actually captured on this newly launched smartphone, not on any other handset or on a DSLR
Sample shots
What we think so far
Like last year’s model, the Xiaomi 15 presents a compelling case for the compact flagship. It’s a device that prioritizes performance and user experience without succumbing to the trend of ever-increasing dimensions.
While the design may not break new ground, the refinements in ergonomics — coupled with the potent Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite, robust camera system, and thoughtful AI integration — create a package that’s undeniably powerful and practical. For those seeking a flagship experience in a pocketable form, the Xiaomi 15 definitely deserves consideration.
Xiaomi 15 specs
- 6.36-inch LTPO OLED display, 1200p resolution, 1-120Hz variable refresh rate, 3,200 nits peak brightness, Xiaomi Shield Glass 2.0
- 3nm Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite 5G processor
- Adreno 830 GPU
- 12GB LPDDR5X RAM
- 256GB/512GB UFS 4.0 storage
- Triple 50-megapixel main with OIS, 50-megapixel telephoto with 3x zoom and OIS, 50-megapixel ultrawide rear cameras with Leica lens and tuning
- 32-megapixel front camera
- Ultrasonic under-display fingerprint reader
- 5,240mAh battery with 90-watt fast wired charging, 50-watt fast wireless charging
- IP68 certification
- HyperOS 2.0 based on Android 15
- Color options: Black, White, Green, and Liquid Silver
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