There are quite a few impressive smartphones in 2024 that have left a deep impression on me. Some are renowned for their camera performance, while others have amazed me with their incredible battery life. Of course, there are also a few innovative devices that have piqued my curiosity. However, if I add the prefix of a small screen, the answer becomes quite clear: Xiaomi 14.

As one of the domestic flagship phones that achieved both sales and reputation success in 2024, Xiaomi 14 satisfied the demands of most small-screen enthusiasts, making Xiaomi the first choice when mentioning small-screen flagships. Nevertheless, Xiaomi 14 is already a year old, and with the all-new Snapdragon 8 Elite now available, it's time for Xiaomi 15 to arrive.

(Image source: Leitech)

The newly upgraded Xiaomi 15 seems to be telling us that small-screen flagships can indeed push the boundaries of user experience. Now, let's share our experience with this iPhone 15 alternative, hand in hand with Leitech.

Small-screen flagship, sleek design

The first notable aspect of Xiaomi 15 is undoubtedly its hand feel. When I first picked it up, I couldn't help but marvel at how well Xiaomi understands the needs of small-screen enthusiasts. By refining the right-angle frame, Xiaomi 15 makes the transition between the frame, screen, and backplate smoother, eliminating the awkward feeling and leaving a "smooth" touch.

The front view of Xiaomi 15 might be the best I've seen in recent years. With ultra-narrow bezels and equal-width borders on all four sides, it's hard to believe this phone is priced in the mid-range segment.

But speaking of equal-width borders, iPhone is always the benchmark for Android devices. Although some manufacturers have claimed to have narrower bezels than iPhone, the visual effect still falls short due to different panel technologies.

(Image source: Leitech)

Xiaomi 15 has shattered this traditional impression by achieving a true equal-width border design and further reducing the border width to 1.38mm, slightly narrower than the 1.41mm of iPhone 16 Pro. As a result, Xiaomi 15 boasts one of the best front screen experiences on the market, even rivaling Samsung Galaxy S24 and iPhone 16 Pro.

(Image source: Leitech)

Let's briefly discuss Xiaomi 15's screen specifications: 6.36-inch, 1.5K resolution, 1-120Hz LTPO variable refresh rate, support for professional color accuracy, P3 color gamut, and fully automatic color management, with a peak brightness of 3200 nits.

One detail I must mention is that in this era of downsizing and price hikes, Xiaomi 15 surprisingly features a single-point ultrasonic fingerprint sensor. While this technology isn't new, Xiaomi's decision to include it rather than downgrade is highly commendable.

Brand new Snapdragon, even stronger performance

As the world's first smartphone to be equipped with the Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, Xiaomi 15's performance and power consumption are undoubtedly of great interest to readers. Some might argue that the previous Snapdragon 8 Gen2 and Gen3 processors are already more than adequate, questioning the necessity of pursuing even higher performance. Isn't that a waste?

However, objectively speaking, performance is never excessive. Increased performance enhances a phone's capabilities, improves software experience, and allows for higher game graphics quality. Different users have varying needs; casual phone users may not perceive a significant difference, but avid gamers may never be satisfied with performance.

Taking the popular game "Genshin Impact" as an example, even when you set the graphics resolution to the highest setting, different phones will still render at different resolutions. Most Android phones only render at 640P, with a few achieving 864P, while Xiaomi 15 with Snapdragon 8 Elite can push it up to 1200P.

Rendering resolution differs from conventional "super-resolution" in that it utilizes the original high-definition assets from the game's unpacked files, eliminating any over-sharpening and minimizing eye strain even during extended play sessions.

In benchmark tests, Xiaomi 15 scored 3011 in GeekBench 6's single-core test and 9262 in the multi-core test. It also achieved an average frame rate of 288Fps in GFXBench 1080P Aztec Ruins Vulkan. Clearly, Xiaomi 15 with Snapdragon 8 Elite outperforms both MediaTek Dimensity 9400 and Apple A18 processors in both CPU and GPU performance.

(Image source: Leitech)

When playing "Genshin Impact" at 720P with frame rate boost enabled, Xiaomi 15 maintained a near-full frame rate throughout the game, without any lag or need for additional cooling. Similarly impressive performance was seen in "Honkai: Star Rail" and "Genshin Zero." Notably, the phone's maximum temperature reached only 42°C (at room temperature of 26°C), with heat concentrated mainly in the upper half, leaving the lower half cool to the touch. This level of performance and power consumption control is sure to satisfy even the most demanding users.

(Image source: Leitech)

In the demanding mobile game "Genshin Zero," Xiaomi 15 delivered flagship-level performance with a near-perfect frame rate graph. Xiaomi 15 will undoubtedly exceed your expectations in terms of performance.

(Image created by Leitech)

Coupled with Xiaomi 15's ultra-low power consumption and massive 5400mAh battery, it delivers exceptional battery life far beyond expectations. As a primary device under heavy usage, including SIM card insertion, 5G connectivity, background running of WeChat and QQ, 120Hz refresh rate, performance mode, and an hour of gaming, the phone can easily last for around 9 hours, ensuring a full day of usage.

Pro-level camera even in the standard edition

Xiaomi 15's camera system is a highlight that I'm eager to discuss. As an avid user of Xiaomi's "Ultra" series, including the Xiaomi 10 Ultra, 11 Ultra, 12S Ultra, 13 Ultra, and 14 Ultra, I have high standards for mobile photography. While I loved the Xiaomi 14 for its exceptional hand feel, I ultimately passed on it due to its lackluster camera performance.

After a week of using Xiaomi 15, I can confidently say that within its 6.36-inch form factor, its camera capabilities are top-notch, rivaling even the iPhone 16 Pro and potentially even next year's Samsung S25.

(Image source: Leitech)

Here's a quick rundown of Xiaomi 15's camera specifications:

Main camera: Optic Hunter 900 (OV50H), 23mm focal length, 50MP, f/1.6 aperture, OIS, ALD coating, 7P aspherical lens

Ultra-wide-angle camera: Samsung JN1, 14mm focal length, 115° field of view, 50MP, f/2.2 aperture

Telephoto camera: Samsung JN5 60mm (native 2.6x, default 3.2x zoom), 50MP, f/2.0 aperture, OIS, minimum focusing distance of 10cm

(Image source: Leitech)

At first glance, Xiaomi 15's camera specifications may seem similar to those of Xiaomi 14, but the experience is vastly different when capturing photos. This is largely attributed to Xiaomi's more mature camera algorithms. For instance, in overcast conditions, the sky isn't artificially oversaturated, striking a balance between pleasing aesthetics and realism.

(Image source: Leitech)

Even in backlighting situations, Xiaomi 15's main camera accurately captures the true colors and shapes of subjects, without excessively suppressing highlights.

(Image source: Leitech)

It's worth noting that Xiaomi 15 seems to have toned down its Leica-inspired color palette, focusing more on authentic colors in brighter or more vibrant scenes.

(Image source: Leitech)

If you prefer a more Leica-inspired look, I recommend using the Street Photography or Pro modes, especially in high-contrast scenarios. Slightly reducing the exposure and brightness, coupled with Leica's classic tones, creates a perfect setup for capturing humanistic subjects.

(Image source: Leitech)

In complex lighting conditions with the telephoto lens, the main camera, despite its relatively small sensor, produces impressive images thanks to Xiaomi's advanced algorithms. Details are well-preserved, and the image clarity is exceptional.

(Image source: Leitech)

My personal favorite is the 60mm telephoto lens. This focal length is ideal for half-length portraits and provides a great sense of spatial compression for landscape photography, making it perfect for street photographers. Compared to the 120mm telephoto lens on the iPhone 16 Pro, Xiaomi 15's telephoto lens is more suitable for daily use, let alone the mediocre performance of the iPhone 16 Pro's 5x zoom.

(Image source: Leitech)

Xiaomi's telephoto macro capabilities have always been among the best in the industry, with a high success rate, making it ideal for capturing intricate details of small objects.

(Image source: Leitech)

This may come across as harsh, but in my opinion, Xiaomi 15's camera performance is on par with, if not superior to, that of Xiaomi 14 Pro. If, like me, you passed on Xiaomi 14 due to its camera capabilities, I urge you not to miss out on Xiaomi 15's significant camera upgrades.

Has it surpassed the iPhone completely?

Those who know me well are aware that since I started working, I've always relied on a combination of an iPhone and an Android phone. It's not that I have a particular fondness for the iPhone; rather, it's the ecosystem of products like MacBook, iPad, and Apple Watch that keeps me tied to Apple.

I've attempted several times to replace my iPhone with another Android device, but each time, I failed. The reason is simple: whenever I needed to transfer photos, videos, or files from my phone to my MacBook, the only viable option was often the most primitive method of using WeChat for transmission.

However, with the Xiaomi 15 equipped with HyperOS2, my struggles have finally come to an end.

Before we dive in, I need to first download an app called Xiaomi Interconnect Services on my Mac. Once I log into my Xiaomi account on the app and ensure both devices are connected to the same WiFi network, the Xiaomi 15 will appear within the app. For a moment, I was taken aback; seeing an Android phone's interface on a MacBook created an illusion of a seamlessly integrated ecosystem.

The subsequent steps are straightforward. Simply drag and drop the desired images or files onto the app interface. For a detailed breakdown of the process, I will cover that in a separate experience article about HyperOS 2.

Of course, this is just one of the many impressive features of HyperOS2. There are numerous other intriguing aspects of the system that you'll surely appreciate. Stay tuned!

Conclusion: A Small-Screen Flagship That Outshines the iPhone in Every Aspect

Lastly, following tradition, let's summarize the pros and cons of the Xiaomi 15 using Leitech's review template:

Pros:

Impressive haptic feedback and grip;

Excellent performance with reasonable temperature control;

Significant improvement in photography, rivaling even Pro-level cameras;

Smooth and user-friendly HyperOS2 experience;

Cons:

The camera module is still relatively large, which may be uncomfortable for users with larger hands as it may press against their fingers.

Regarding the pricing of the Xiaomi 15 series, here's a brief overview:

Xiaomi 15:

12+256GB version: ¥4,499

12+512GB version: ¥4,799

16+512GB version: ¥4,999

16+1TB version: ¥5,499

Xiaomi 15 Pro:

12+256GB version: ¥5,299

16+512GB version: ¥5,799

16+1TB version: ¥6,499

Leitech believes that Xiaomi 15 offers a satisfactory solution. While ensuring robust performance, low power consumption, superior screen quality, and fast charging, it also introduces new interpretations of flagship experiences, such as ultra-narrow bezels for an enhanced grip and overall aesthetic, Leica SUMMILUX lenses with large apertures, and the more practical and engaging HyperOS2. These innovative technologies add even more value to the product.

As Xiaomi's fifth-generation small-screen flagship, the Xiaomi 15 is a highly mature product. By listening to consumer feedback and incorporating the strengths of competing flagship devices, Xiaomi has delivered a sincere masterpiece. In the past, my vision of the 'Dream Phone' was one that offered virtually every desired configuration. This time, the Xiaomi 15 perfectly embodies that ideal, making it the most outstanding small-screen flagship smartphone available.

In essence, the Xiaomi 15 series has set the tone for the flagship competition in 2025, and Xiaomi consistently proves itself as a capable flagship guardian.

Source: Leitech