Xiaomi 15 Extremely: My Overview After 2 Weeks of Testing It Round Europe

The Xiaomi 14 Extremely was one of many greatest telephones of 2024, thanks in no small half to an superior digicam system that took a number of the greatest photographs I’ve ever seen from a digicam cellphone. On the coronary heart of this was its 1-inch sort picture sensor, which is bodily bigger than the sensors present in nearly every other cellphone. The outcome? Nice-looking photographs in a wide range of situations.

Nevertheless it’s 2025 now and the Xiaomi 15 Extremely is right here to attempt to tempt extra photographers away from Apple’s clutches. 

The cellphone has had a wide range of updates, together with the highly effective Snapdragon 8 Elite processor and a bunch of latest AI expertise — as a result of apparently all telephones must have AI in-built whether or not you prefer it or not. And whereas the digicam hasn’t seen many updates, there are a couple of tweaks to maintain photographers . 

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The Xiaomi 15 Extremely world model was introduced at Cellular World Congress in Barcelona. It goes on sale within the UK and wider Europe later this month for £1,299 with 512GB of storage or £1,499 if you need 1TB. As with different Xiaomi telephones, the 15 Extremely is not going to be in the stores within the US however for reference that base UK value converts to $1,630 or AU$2,630.

Listed below are an important issues to know in regards to the Xiaomi 15 Extremely.

Xiaomi 15 Extremely digicam

I used to be stunned by the large picture sensor contained in the 14 Extremely’s most important digicam, so I suppose I needs to be happy that the 15 Extremely has saved it. However I’m a bit dissatisfied that it is actually the identical mannequin — the Sony LYT-900. Certain, it is a fantastic sensor and never that outdated, however I had hoped to see Xiaomi take its profitable formulation from final 12 months and make it even higher. 

Possibly the lens is best? On paper, I might truly argue there’s been a downgrade. The 14 Extremely had a uncommon variable aperture, which went from vast open at f/1.6 and will shut right down to f/4. It allowed for enticing star-burst results when taking pictures factors of sunshine at midnight. The 15 Extremely has gotten rid of this and as a substitute has a hard and fast f/1.6 aperture — Xiaomi says it might probably obtain the identical results “via software program optimization and algorithm updates.” Sigh.

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Whilst you can regulate the depth of area energy (the quantity of background blur behind your topic) within the portrait mode, I’ve discovered a few issues flawed. First, the picture with the blur would not save if you take it, so it appears the identical it doesn’t matter what faux aperture you set it as. That is most likely simply early software program issues and I am positive they will be mounted. However the lack of actual adjustable aperture additionally means you do not get the good star bursts on avenue lights at night time anymore.

These starbursts are most likely a distinct segment factor to be enthusiastic about, however they really reworked the look of night time photographs and the impact was one among my favourite issues about taking pictures with the 14 Extremely. To see this sort of innovation chucked out in favor of a software-based “resolution” is irritating. It is also precisely what I complained a lot about final 12 months, with AI being the one space the place corporations are innovating now. Mockingly, in that article, I applauded Xiaomi for the 14 Extremely, however I will not be capable of with this new mannequin. 

It is also odd to see that the ultrawide digicam’s aperture has been dropped from f/1.8 to f/2.2. The one precise improve to the cameras I can see is that the telephoto zoom decision is greater for better-looking zoomed-in pictures. 

Images taken with the Xiaomi 15 Extremely

It is nonetheless a robust digicam setup although and I’ve taken some pictures in my testing that I like. As with the 14 Extremely, the digicam is licensed by Leica, and there are some Leica-approved shade types to select from, my favourite of which stays the excessive distinction black and white mode. It is nice for punchy monochrome avenue images. 

You possibly can see a choice of my check photographs right here, but additionally try my longer gallery of examples if you happen to’re eager to see extra of this digicam in motion. 

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Xiaomi’s Images Package is non-compulsory for the 15 Extremely

Sure, you should purchase the 15 Extremely with the identical Images Package that was provided with final 12 months’s mannequin. It features a case, a powered grip with shutter button and an attachable ring that permits you to use common 67mm images filters. The grip is superior. It clicks in neatly, provides some further battery life to the cellphone and the shutter button and settings wheel can help you shoot similar to you had been utilizing a compact digicam. It is rather more comfy than taking photographs with out it.

It has been up to date too, with a brand new thumb grip attachment to make it a bit simpler to carry. There’s additionally a soft-touch, screw-in shutter launch button, which is larger and simpler to rapidly discover and hit than the unique button it screws into. For those who’re eager on utilizing your cellphone for avenue or journey images, the Images Package is price getting. 

The Snapdragon 8 Elite chip is a powerhouse

The Snapdragon 8 Elite chip discovered contained in the Xiaomi 15 Extremely has already impressed us on telephones just like the OnePlus 13 and its energy is noticeable right here, too. It put in notable scores on our benchmark exams, whereas on a regular basis operation is quick and lag-free. 

It is nice for avid gamers, too, with demanding titles like Genshin Influence enjoying easily at max settings and at 60 frames per second. Qualcomm’s 8 Elite chip is not simply designed for uncooked energy although, it is constructed for higher AI processing. Which brings me neatly on to…

New AI expertise with Gemini on the Xiaomi 15 Extremely

Google Gemini and Gemini superior are in-built as normal, together with the conversational Gemini Stay and Circle to Search. However Xiaomi has thrown in a couple of of its personal options, too. There is a generative textual content instrument to create blocks of textual content primarily based in your prompts, together with a useful instrument that creates textual content transcriptions from voice recordings — nice for a busy tech journalist.

There’s additionally a wide range of image-focused AI instruments for increasing a picture utilizing generative AI, eradicating issues in a scene or just sharpening the image. The AI instruments all work in addition to I might hope, nevertheless it’s price conserving in thoughts that every one of them require an web connection with the intention to use — together with the voice transcript instrument, for some purpose.

A suitable software program help interval

The 15 Extremely launches with Android 15 on board, and Xiaomi guarantees it will obtain 4 generations of Android updates together with six years of safety help. It is lower than what each Samsung and Google present for his or her flagships (seven years of each software program and safety help) and I might actually have favored to see Xiaomi match, and even beat its rivals right here, particularly contemplating the excessive value of the cellphone. 

Nonetheless, a shelf lifetime of six years is first rate sufficient (a third of individuals maintain their telephones for 3 years or longer) and matches what OnePlus provides for its current OnePlus 13 flagship. 

The remainder of the cellphone is stable too

Battery life is sweet, however not excellent. On our demanding video streaming check it held out higher than the OnePlus 13 however did not do fairly in addition to the Galaxy S25 Extremely. You possibly can safely anticipate a day of use however as with all telephones you may most likely wish to give it a full cost in a single day. The 6.7-inch show is brilliant, vibrant and pin sharp. Movies look nice, as do colourful cell video games.

The cellphone is IP68 rated to assist maintain it secure from spilled drinks, too. All in all, it is a cellphone that ticks just about each field you’d anticipate from one among at present’s flagships. I simply want I might seen extra innovation within the cameras for this 12 months’s mannequin. Nonetheless, there is no query that it nonetheless takes excellent photographs that rival any of at present’s flagships. For those who’re in search of a high-performance Android cellphone to make use of as your most important digicam in your travels, it is actually price contemplating.