Xiaomi 15 Ultra Review: This Phone Comes With Leica Lens?!

Mikhail Ow
May 6
3 min read

The Xiaomi 15 Ultra is a high-end smartphone that continues the company’s focus on advanced imaging and premium hardware.

Featuring a Leica-branded quad-camera system, a sharp AMOLED display, and capable performance components, it is positioned as a photography-focused device within Xiaomi’s flagship lineup. The design and feature set aim to provide a balanced experience for users who value both everyday functionality and enhanced camera versatility.

Camera

The Xiaomi 15 Ultra places a strong emphasis on photography, featuring a Leica-engineered quad-camera system designed to meet high standards for mobile imaging.

Its main lens is a 23mm equivalent with an f/1.63 aperture and a large 1-inch sensor, allowing for enhanced light capture and depth. This sensor supports detailed images with better performance in both bright and low-light conditions. Alongside it is a 200MP ultra-telephoto lens for high-resolution distant shots, a 70mm telephoto lens well-suited for portrait photography, and a 50MP ultra-wide lens that captures expansive scenes without significant distortion.

In use, the camera system performs reliably across scenarios—producing sharp daylight images, natural background blur in portraits, and well-balanced low-light shots. The inclusion of two Leica photo styles, “Authentic” and “Vibrant,” offers users the option to choose between a more neutral or saturated aesthetic, while Leica filters provide quick mood adjustments.

Design

The design of the Xiaomi 15 Ultra emphasizes practicality and finish. The photography kit features a case that has a solid metal frame and a vegan-leather back that definitely provides a good grip.

The large circular camera module is also a prominent design element, immediately indicating the device’s camera-focused identity, the phone is on a slightly heavier end, so it does get alittle heavy when using it for photography for long periods of time.

Display

The device is equipped with a 6.73-inch WQHD+ AMOLED panel that curves slightly at the edges. The display supports high brightness levels, peaking at 3,200 nits, which helps maintain readability in bright environments such as direct sunlight.

Smartphone with red edges showing home screen apps, placed on a balcony railing, overlooking a blurred view of greenery and roads.

The panel offers strong contrast and color reproduction, which benefits tasks like viewing photos, videos, and content-heavy applications. Xiaomi’s Shield Glass 2.0 provides an added layer of durability against scratches and minor drops. With slim bezels surrounding the screen, the phone achieves a clean and modern front profile without unnecessary embellishment.

Performance and Specs

Powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset and available with up to 16GB of RAM, the Xiaomi 15 Ultra delivers stable performance across a range of applications.

Close-up of a smartphone screen showing hardware specs: 16.0+6.0 GB RAM, Snapdragon 8 CPU. Phone has a red edge and a white background.

It handles demanding tasks such as gaming, video editing, and multitasking without slowdowns. Thermal management has been optimized to prevent overheating under sustained load.

Hands holding a red smartphone showing a first-person shooter game. The game scene depicts an urban environment with a damaged car. Call Of Duty

In daily use, the system responds quickly and consistently, offering a responsive experience whether you're switching between apps or running resource-intensive processes.

Battery Life

The phone includes a 5,410mAh battery, which supports full-day usage under typical conditions such as browsing, photography, and video playback.

Charging is efficient, with 90W wired support capable of recharging the battery in approximately 35 minutes. It also supports 80W wireless charging. This charging flexibility helps reduce downtime, especially for users with heavy daily usage patterns, and adds convenience whether charging via cable or wireless dock.

Conclusion

With a retail price of S$1,699, the Xiaomi 15 Ultra enters the premium smartphone segment with a focus on camera performance, capable hardware, and practical design.

While the price point is among the highest in Xiaomi’s lineup, the phone delivers features that align with flagship expectations, particularly in mobile imaging and fast charging. It is well-suited for users who prioritize camera flexibility and consistent performance in a device that maintains a balanced and deliberate design approach.