The Xiaomi 15 has been making waves in the Indian smartphone market with its compact design, powerful performance, and competitive pricing. After using it for 21 days, I’ve explored every aspect of this device—from its design and display to its cameras, battery life, and software experience. If you’re wondering whether this phone is worth your money or if you should buy it, this detailed review will break it all down for you in a simple and clear way.
Introduction to Xiaomi 15
Xiaomi has always been known for offering value-for-money devices, and the Xiaomi 15 continues that legacy. Launched as a compact flagship, it competes with the likes of the Samsung Galaxy S25 and iPhone 16 but at a more affordable price point. Priced at ₹64,999 for the 12GB RAM and 512GB storage variant, it’s a premium offering that promises top-tier performance, a great camera setup, and a sleek design. With bank discounts, you can grab it for as low as ₹59,000, and the price is expected to drop further during sales, making it an even sweeter deal.
In this article, I’ll share my experience with the Xiaomi 15, covering its pros, cons, and everything in between. Whether you’re a student, a working professional, or someone looking for a compact yet powerful phone, this review will help you decide if the Xiaomi 15 is the right choice for you.
Key Features
Before diving into the details, here’s a quick look at the Xiaomi 15’s specifications:
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Display | 6.36-inch, 1200×2670, LTPO AMOLED, 120Hz |
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite |
| Front Camera | 32MP |
| Rear Camera | 50MP (Main) + 50MP (Ultra-wide) + 50MP (Telephoto) |
| RAM | 12GB |
| Storage | 256GB / 512GB |
| Battery Capacity | 5240mAh |
| Operating System | HyperOS 2.0 based on Android 15 |
| Charging | 90W wired Hyper charge, 50W wireless Hyper charge |
| Build | IP68 water and dust resistance |
Design and Build: Compact Yet Premium
The first thing I noticed when I picked up the Xiaomi 15 was how compact it feels. Coming from a larger phone like the Samsung Galaxy S25 Plus, the Xiaomi 15 felt refreshingly small. It’s perfect for one-handed
The phone has a matte finish that looks classy and minimal, with rounded edges that make it comfortable to hold. Unlike the Xiaomi 14, which had glossy edges that attracted fingerprints, the Xiaomi 15’s edges are matte, keeping it smudge-free. The camera module has also been redesigned—no more weird bumps on the sides, just a clean, flat layout.
The build quality is solid, with an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance. I’ve carried it in my pocket with keys, coins, and other phones, and it hasn’t picked up a single scratch. The display comes with a pre-applied screen protector, which is a nice touch, but it did show some minor scratches after a few weeks. For extra protection, I’d recommend investing in a high-quality screen protector, as the included Xiaomi Shield Glass isn’t foolproof.
Overall, the design strikes a balance between practicality and elegance. It’s not as flashy as the Xiaomi 15 Ultra, but it’s perfect for those who prefer understated style.
Display: Bright and Beautiful
The Xiaomi 15 sports a 6.36-inch LTPO AMOLED display with a 1.5K resolution (1200×2670) and a 120Hz refresh rate. The moment I turned it on, I was impressed by how vibrant and sharp it looked. Whether I was watching videos, scrolling through social media, or playing games, the display delivered a smooth and immersive experience.
The brightness levels are excellent—Xiaomi claims high peak brightness, and I never had trouble using it outdoors, even under direct sunlight. The bezels are slimmer than the Xiaomi 14, giving it a modern look, and the ultrasonic fingerprint scanner is fast and reliable. A cool feature is that it works even with wet hands, which came in handy when I was caught in the rain.
I binge-watched a show on this phone, and the Dolby Vision support made the colors pop. Streaming IPL matches and music videos on YouTube was equally enjoyable, thanks to the crisp visuals. The Dolby Atmos stereo speakers are loud enough for casual use, but they’re not the best in class. The sound separation is decent for a compact phone, but don’t expect a surround-sound experience.
If you love consuming content on your phone, the Xiaomi 15’s display won’t disappoint. It’s one of the best in its segment, easily outshining competitors like the Samsung Galaxy S25 in terms of brightness and color accuracy.
Performance: Power-Packed but Not Perfect
Under the hood, the Xiaomi 15 is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite, paired with 12GB of RAM and 256GB or 512GB of storage. This is one of the most powerful chipsets available, and it shows. Day-to-day tasks like multitasking, browsing, and switching between apps were buttery smooth, thanks to the fluid animations of HyperOS.
I played heavy games like Genshin Impact and Call of Duty: Mobile, and the performance was flawless—most of the time. However, I noticed frame drops when switching back to games after replying to messages. This happened consistently and was a bit annoying, especially since other flagships don’t have this issue. I hope Xiaomi fixes this with a software update.
The phone also comes with an Ice Loop cooling system, but it’s not as effective as it sounds. During extended gaming sessions or camera use, the phone gets warm, though never uncomfortably hot. For casual use, it stays cool, so you don’t need to worry about overheating in daily scenarios.
RAM management is excellent—I left a Snapchat story unsent in the morning, and it was still there by evening, proving the phone can handle background apps well. Overall, the Xiaomi 15 is a powerhouse, but minor software glitches hold it back from perfection.
Camera: A Versatile Triple Threat
The camera system is one of the Xiaomi 15’s biggest strengths. It features a triple 50MP setup—main, ultra-wide, and telephoto—along with a 32MP selfie camera. All four cameras can record 4K 60fps videos, and you can switch lenses while recording, which is a handy feature.
I clicked hundreds of photos during my 21-day testing period, and the results were consistently impressive. The main camera captures natural-looking shots with accurate colors and excellent detail. Whether it was a scenic landscape or a close-up of food, the photos were well-exposed and vibrant without looking overprocessed.
The telephoto lens offers 5x zoom, and I was blown away by its clarity. I took a shot of a watch from a distance, and the details were so crisp that it looked like a macro shot. The ultra-wide lens is great for capturing grand scenes, though I noticed slight color shifts compared to the main camera.
Low-light photography is another area where the Xiaomi 15 shines. Nighttime shots from all three lenses were sharp, with minimal noise and good dynamic range. Portraits are stunning, with accurate edge detection and vibrant colors, even on days when my hair wasn’t cooperating.
The selfie camera, however, is the weak link. It performs well in good lighting but struggles in dim conditions, producing average results. If selfies are a priority, you might be slightly disappointed.
Video recording is excellent, with sharp and stable footage in both daytime and nighttime conditions. The AI features, like turning a regular photo into an enhanced version, are fun to use and add a creative touch. Overall, the Xiaomi 15’s camera setup is one of the most versatile in the compact phone category, making it a great choice for photography enthusiasts.
Software: Feature-Rich but Bloated
The Xiaomi 15 runs HyperOS 2.0 based on Android 15, with a promise of 4 years of OS updates and 6 years of security patches. The software is packed with features, from fluid animations to AI tools like circle-to-search and AI writing. However, it’s not without flaws.
On the plus side, HyperOS is smooth and customizable, with plenty of options to tweak the interface to your liking. I didn’t encounter any weird ads or notifications, which is a relief compared to older Xiaomi phones. The March security patch (received on April 4, 2025) kept the phone up to date.
On the downside, there are pre-installed apps that feel unnecessary for a flagship phone. You can uninstall most of them, but it’s an extra step. The glass lock screen feature is optional but feels out of place on a premium device. One major issue I faced was with alarms—the phone failed to wake me up multiple times, even after changing tones. This is a serious flaw for anyone who relies on their phone as an alarm clock.
Compared to Samsung’s One UI or Apple’s iOS, HyperOS isn’t as polished, but it gets the job done for most users. If Xiaomi can iron out these quirks, the software experience could be top-notch.
Battery Life: All-Day Power
Battery life is a highlight of the Xiaomi 15. With a 5240mAh battery, it’s a significant upgrade over the Xiaomi 14’s smaller capacity. In my testing, I got 6 to 7 hours of screen-on time (SOT) with medium to heavy usage, which included gaming, streaming, and browsing. For a compact phone, this is impressive.
The included 90W charger juices up the phone from 0 to 100% in just 45 minutes, which is a lifesaver when you’re in a rush. There’s also 50W wireless charging support, a rare feature in this price range. Whether you’re a student or a professional, the Xiaomi 15’s battery life won’t leave you hanging.
Connectivity and Other Features
The Xiaomi 15 supports dual SIM plus eSIM, and I had no issues with Airtel 5G or Wi-Fi connectivity. Call quality was clear, and the phone supports advanced audio codecs like LHDC and LDAC for high-quality Bluetooth audio. The IR blaster is a handy addition for controlling appliances, especially in offices or hotels. The USB-C port is fast, making data transfers quick and easy.
Should You Buy the Xiaomi 15?
So, is the Xiaomi 15 worth buying? Let’s break it down.
Pros
- Compact and premium design with IP68 rating
- Stunning 6.36-inch AMOLED display with Dolby Vision
- Powerful Snapdragon 8 Elite for smooth performance
- Versatile triple 50MP camera setup
- Excellent battery life with fast charging
- Competitive pricing, especially with discounts
Cons
- Software has bloatware and minor bugs (like unreliable alarms)
- Selfie camera underperforms in low light
- Gets warm during heavy use
- Speakers are average
If you’re looking for a compact flagship with top-tier specs, the Xiaomi 15 is hard to beat. It outshines the Samsung Galaxy S25 in display quality, charging speed, and battery life, and it’s priced lower than both the S25 and iPhone 16. The camera system is versatile, and the performance is excellent for most tasks.
However, the software isn’t as refined as competitors, and issues like the alarm glitch could be a dealbreaker for some. If you can live with these quirks and want a phone that offers great value, the Xiaomi 15 is a fantastic choice. Waiting for a price drop during sales like Diwali or Amazon’s Great Indian Festival could make it an even better deal.
Conclusion
After 21 days with the Xiaomi 15, I can confidently say it’s one of the best compact flagships you can buy in 2025. It’s not perfect—software quirks and an average selfie camera hold it back—but it nails the essentials like performance, battery life, and cameras. For users looking for a premium phone under ₹65,000, the Xiaomi 15 is a strong contender. If you value a compact form factor and don’t mind minor compromises, go for it. Let me know in the comments if you have any questions or want me to test another phone next!
