Xiaomi 15 and 15 Extremely Evaluation: Images Focus

I am a fan of Xiaomi’s new 15 and 15 Extremely flagship telephones—even when they solely convey incremental enhancements over their predecessors. The Xiaomi 15 is a cultured, compact competitor to the iPhone 16 or Pixel 9, however the Xiaomi 15 Extremely is a photographer’s dream. Each are extraordinarily well-rounded smartphones with distinctive {hardware}, and Xiaomi has polished its HyperOS software program and infused it with AI—identical to everybody else out there.

However there’s nonetheless room for enchancment. Unwelcome bloatware feels cheeky on smartphones this costly, the design of the 15 is downright boring and similar to final yr’s Xiaomi 14, and there’s no Qi2 help, which is gloomy as a result of we’re craving magnetic equipment for our Android telephones. Neither cellphone is formally offered within the US.

Stylish and Succesful

It’s under no circumstances uncommon for the most recent model of a cellphone to be indistinguishable from the one earlier than. (Samsung and Apple, I’m taking a look at you.) However the Xiaomi 15 is similar. Even the colours are the identical; I acquired a black evaluate unit, but it surely additionally is available in white or inexperienced. That mentioned, I do just like the design. It’s a compact cellphone that’s straightforward to handle one-handed, the matte end is fingerprint-resistant, and every part is gently rounded, making it very snug to carry.

Xiaomi 15 (left) and 15 Extremely (proper)

{Photograph}: Simon Hill

The 15 Extremely is a wholly completely different beast, dominated by that colossal digicam on the again. It’s top-heavy, and, as I discovered with the 14 Extremely, you want a case to keep away from harm and scratches on that huge module. It typically catches if you slip it into your pocket, and the bump makes utilizing some wi-fi chargers difficult as a result of the cellphone can not lie flat. Fortunately, that is all justified for images followers (extra on that later).

Pleasingly, Xiaomi has jazzed up the 15 Extremely finishes, leaning into its digicam prowess and Leica partnership with a stunning two-tone silver chrome and faux black leather-based paint job. It additionally is available in black with a pink spotlight across the digicam module. Sadly, I acquired the white mannequin, which has a refined marbled impact however is the dullest of the bunch. The 15 and 15 Extremely rating an IP68 ranking for water resistance and are protected by Xiaomi’s Protect Glass, although the Extremely will get the improved model 2.0.

The Xiaomi 15 has a 6.36-inch flat AMOLED display at 3670 X 1200 pixels, and the 15 Extremely jumps as much as a 6.73-inch at 3200 X 1440 pixels, with a really slight bevel on the edges. Each have a variable 1 to 120-Hz refresh charge for clean scrolling and energy effectivity, can hit 3,200 nits peak brightness, and help Dolby Imaginative and prescient and HDR10+. That’s a slight brightness improve over final yr’s telephones, and these are top-notch, sharp, wealthy shows, nearly as good as any I’ve seen. The sound high quality from the stereo audio system is above common.

Xiaomi 15 (proper) and 15 Extremely (left)

{Photograph}: Simon Hill