Xiaomi 15 Ultra review

Design, build quality, handling

The ever-growing camera bump has gotten even bigger this year, but that's how Ultras are - not Samsung Ultras, but the Ultras that actually mean business. The Xiaomi 15 Ultra's larger-than-large circular cluster of cameras has gained a few mm in diameter and dominates the back of the phone, as usual.

The hero colorway is this two-tone look that emulates a classic rangefinder camera with an 'Ultra' logo right about where the rangefinder window would be. A Leica badge within a decorative ring aims to add a bit of symmetry to the otherwise moderately unsightly assembly of camera modules (and an infrared emitter somewhere in there, as is the new normal). A Xiaomi logo at the opposite end makes the branding complete.

The rear of the phone is plastic, the black patch being a reasonably grippy faux leather material, while the silver strip is smooth and slippery. If you change hands often, that difference in properties might prove problematic, though habit could render it a non-issue.

Not all of us here at the office are fans of the two-tone design, so it's good that there are two more colorways. There's a satin black option with a black frame and a red accent ring around the camera bump, and a silver-framed wavy white variant as well, both of them glass-fiber-backed. Mind you, in China, there's another two-tone colorway that replaces the black with green.

Over on the front, the display is protected by Xiaomi Shield Glass 2.0 - so it's not your Corning Gorilla-branded sheets, but a Xiaomi-specific formulation. It's probably good enough, we reckon.

Speaking of good enough, the 15 Ultra has an IP68 rating for dust and water protection. It's what you'd have found on a lot of phones until recently (flagships and more and more midrangers as well) and you'd have been happy that your device would survive a dunk down to 1.5m for as long as 30 minutes.

The thing is, this year we've been getting phones with an IP69 label in addition to the IP68, and they should also be able to survive high-temperature water jets (up to 80 degrees Celsius). Well, the Xiaomi doesn't have that. Is that bad? Probably not. But ultimately, the vivo X200 Pro and the Find X8 Pro, and the Honor Magic7 Pro are all IP69-rated, and the Xiaomi isn't.

Dual nano SIM tray (eSIM is also supported on our review unit)

Moving on to the front, the display curves gently in all four directions, same as on the previous models. It's not a dramatic curvature, but it's there, so you get the nice premium swipe-in action without it impeding on ergonomics. What does take away from the poshness a little is the pre-applied plastic screen protector - it feels kinda scratchy when swiping.

A new development this year is the switch from an optical to an ultrasonic fingerprint reader. Most of us here would welcome such a change, because of this tech's improved usability with dirty hands and the lack of a bright light for its operation, but if you have reservations for one reason or another, keep it in mind. For what it's worth, in our use the Xiaomi would unlock quickly and without hiccups.

The aluminum frame of the phone is a bit meatier than last year, with a slightly larger flat portion that helps with grip. The buttons on the right side click nicely, and the power key (more like Gemini button at this point) is knurled for better tactile feedback. There are no alert sliders or extra camera keys like you'd find on a Find X8 Pro, but the Xiaomi does have the optional Photography kit if you'd want more physical controls.

Photography Kit Legend Edition

As was the case on the previous generations, Xiaomi is launching an optional accessory package for the 15 Ultra - this time it's not just a Photography Kit, but Photography Kit Legend Edition. It's the same in principle as before, only this time there are some extras.

There are two main parts - an almost standard-looking case that you can use on its own, and a separate battery grip that attaches to the case and adds both functionality and, well, battery.

Addressing the design first, the fiery red color used for the periphery of the case, the battery grip and the ring around the lens is perhaps a bit much - a more understated color combo may have had a wider appeal, though we can see how some folks could enjoy this particular styling. Either way, there's no alternative color option.

The battery grip now contains a 2,000mAh battery, up from the 1,500mAh capacity of last year's model. There's the two-stage shutter release button, a zoom rocker around it, a video record button (that's still customizable), and a dial (exposure compensation by default).

There are two new additions here that walk a fine line between hipsterism (is that still a thing?) and usability. One is the internal thread on the shutter button that lets it accept one of two provided screw-in soft shutter button caps (a red one, and a black one with a red ring). As it turns out, the thread is standard - we tried one of the Xiaomi caps on the Fujifilm X100IV we happened to have handy, and it fits just fine.

The other new addition is the thumb grip. It attaches to a screw on the front of the battery grip and reaches across to the back of the phone/photo kit assembly providing a nice rest area for your right thumb and improving the purchase you get on what is now a compact camera with a large display on the back.

The red ring around the actual cameras of the 15 Ultra is detachable and the kit includes another one like it, in black, plus a third one that is threaded to accept standard 67mm filters.

Also included is a lanyard that you can hook up to the battery grip section.

Just like last year, the Photography Kit is a really nice addition to the Xiaomi Ultra, and one that may very well be worth it if you want to have a more camera-like experience with your phone. If you're all digital in your mindset, it's probably unnecessary, though the coolness factor still remains.