What defines a true “Ultra” smartphone? For Xiaomi, the answer is clear: unparalleled imaging capabilities. Since partnering with Leica, Xiaomi’s Ultra series has consistently prioritized photographic excellence, and the newly launched Xiaomi 15 Ultra is no exception. After extensive testing, it’s safe to say this device sets a new benchmark for smartphone photography—pure, powerful, and unmatched.

The back of the Xiaomi 15 Ultra in white, focusing on the large circular camera module with four lenses, including the Sony LYT-900 1-inch sensor and 200MP periscope telephoto, set against the cloud-pattern texture.

Design & Build: Form Follows Function
The Xiaomi 15 Ultra inherits the family DNA of Xiaomi’s flagship series, instantly recognizable as the latest Ultra model. Its most striking feature is the large, robust rear camera module—a necessary compromise for its imaging prowess. Despite its size, the module integrates smoothly with the textured back panel, minimizing discomfort during vertical grip.

The white variant features a unique “cloud-pattern” texture, enhancing visual elegance and tactile refinement. The aluminum alloy frame, carved from a single block, ensures durability and seamless transitions between the frame and backplate. Notably, the tactile buttons avoid the looseness seen in earlier models like the MIX Fold 4.

The Xiaomi 15 Ultra in white with a gold camera ring, placed next to its black packaging box and a white accessory, showcasing the phone's premium design and branding.

The Xiaomi 15 Ultra in white with a gold-accented camera module, attached to a camera grip accessory, highlighting its photography-focused design and ergonomic handling.

Display: Precision Meets Brilliance
The Xiaomi 15 Ultra sports a 6.73-inch 2K OLED curved display with a 522 PPI density, 120Hz adaptive refresh rate, and a blistering 300Hz touch sampling rate. Boasting a peak brightness of 3,200 nits and calibrated to the CIE-170:2015 color standard, it rivals professional monitors in accuracy and vibrancy.

Camera System: Redefining Mobile Photography
Quad-Camera Setup:

Primary Lens: Sony LYT-900 1-inch sensor (1.6μm pixels, 3.2μm quad-binning) for faster exposure and superior dynamic range.
Periscope Telephoto: Upgraded to a 200MP Samsung HP9 sensor, enabling 17.2x optical zoom (400mm equivalent) and exceptional low-light performance via pixel fusion.
Ultra-Wide & Portrait Lenses: Deliver consistent color science and natural depth.

A close-up of vibrant green plant leaves against a blurred background, taken with the Xiaomi 15 Ultra, emphasizing its ultra-wide lens and natural color science.

A bakery display with assorted pastries, including cookies and cakes, photographed with the Xiaomi 15 Ultra, highlighting its ability to preserve detail and texture in food photography.

Photography Performance:
Daylight shots showcase nuanced lighting and minimal over-processing, preserving storytelling and detail. Portrait mode balances realism and artistry, avoiding artificial “over-polished” looks while subtly refining skin textures.

A person with dark hair in a blue hoodie stands in an urban setting with buildings and brick walls in the background, taken with the Xiaomi 15 Ultra, emphasizing its ability to capture natural depth and lighting.

A person with dark hair in a denim jacket leans against a brick wall, bathed in warm sunlight, photographed with the Xiaomi 15 Ultra, highlighting its dynamic range and natural tones.

Night Photography:
Dubbed the “Nocturnal King,” the Xiaomi 15 Ultra prioritizes natural tonal transitions over artificial sharpening, capturing nightscapes with authentic shadows and highlights.

A building with warm lights illuminating its facade, framed by dark tree branches at night, photographed with the Xiaomi 15 Ultra, emphasizing its "Nocturnal King" capability for authentic nightscapes.

A group of people at a night market stall with colorful signage, captured with the Xiaomi 15 Ultra, showcasing its ability to preserve natural lighting and depth in a busy nighttime setting.

Performance: Power with Compromise
Powered by the Snapdragon 8 Ultimate, the Xiaomi 15 Ultra scores 2,555,917 in AnTuTu benchmarks. While handling daily tasks effortlessly, its gaming performance is tempered by thermal throttling. In a 30-minute Genshin Impact test, average frame rates dipped to 58.5 FPS, with noticeable throttling after 22 minutes (peak temps: 47°C).

A thermal imaging scan of the Xiaomi 15 Ultra during a performance test, showing a peak temperature of 42.1°C around the camera module, with cooler areas at 19.8°C, illustrating its thermal distribution.

A performance graph from a 30-minute Genshin Impact test on the Xiaomi 15 Ultra, showing an average frame rate of 58.5 FPS, with noticeable throttling after 22 minutes, as indicated by the frame rate and temperature data.

Battery & Charging: All-Day Endurance
The 6,000mAh silicon-enhanced battery supports 90W wired and 80W wireless charging. From 1%, it reaches 32% in 15 minutes, 50% by 25 minutes, and a full charge in 55 minutes—moderate speeds with minimal heat.

Verdict: A Masterclass in Imaging, with Trade-offs
The Xiaomi 15 Ultra lives up to its “Ultra” title as a photography powerhouse. Its quad-camera system, refined software tuning, and Leica collaboration make it the Android imaging leader. However, its bulky design and thermal limitations in sustained performance highlight its singular focus.

For photography enthusiasts seeking uncompromised mobile imaging, the Xiaomi 15 Ultra is a stellar choice. For others, its sacrifices in ergonomics and gaming may give pause.