Xiaomi 15 Review: The Perfect Small Phone

t feels like ages since a genuinely pocketable yet feature-packed smartphone graced my palms. Enter the Xiaomi 15. While sporting a generous 6.7-inch display, Xiaomi has pulled off some engineering wizardry with its incredibly slim bezels, making this device surprisingly smaller than your average modern phone. They’ve even employed LIPO display technology, further contributing to its svelte profile.

Naturally, when the opportunity arose to put the Xiaomi 15 through its paces, we jumped on it. Launching at RM 3499, the same price point as its predecessor, the Xiaomi 14, the question on everyone’s mind is: what advancements does this upgrade bring to the table? Join us as we delve deep into the Xiaomi 15 and uncover what it has to offer.

Xiaomi 15 Overview

Build

While a stunning Liquid Silver variant exists, undoubtedly evoking those iconic Terminator T-1000 vibes, the Xiaomi 15 unit we have here is the elegant white edition.

Encasing this sleek device is a robust ring of aluminum frame, which has undergone a Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) process. This coating method applies a thin film to the frame, significantly enhancing its durability and resistance to wear and tear – a welcome addition for a phone we expect to handle daily rigors.

Beneath this protective layer, the frame itself utilizes a 6M42 composite high-strength aluminum alloy, promising a solid and premium feel in hand.

The white color variant of the Xiaomi 15 exudes a smooth, matte finish that feels both simple and sophisticated, bearing a subtle resemblance to the understated elegance often found in iPhones.

Beyond the standard volume rocker and power button, Xiaomi has thoughtfully included its signature IR blaster. Interestingly, on the Xiaomi 15, this handy feature appears to be located on the back of the phone, a slight departure from its usual top-mounted position.

Display

The Xiaomi 15 boasts a vibrant 6.36-inch CrystalRes AMOLED display that can reach an impressive peak brightness of 3200 nits. With a sharp resolution of 2670 x 1200 pixels, resulting in a pixel density of 460 ppi, visuals on the Xiaomi 15 are crisp and detailed. The 120Hz refresh rate ensures smooth scrolling and fluid animations. As a personal fan of smaller screens, I find the size of the Xiaomi 15 to strike a fantastic balance. It offers a more intimate viewing experience without sacrificing screen real estate, a feat largely achieved by its truly ultra-thin bezels, made possible by the innovative LIPO display technology.

For those who appreciate high-contrast imagery, the Xiaomi 15 delivers the full package, supporting Pro HDR, HDR10, HDR10+, and Dolby Vision. The inclusion of both HDR10+ and Dolby Vision support guarantees a top-tier visual experience across a wide range of content.

Under the hood, the Xiaomi 15 is equipped with the Xiaomi AI Image Engine, which functions similarly to the sophisticated image processing engines found in high-end televisions.

This engine brings a suite of enhancements, including Super Resolution for video upscaling, AI HDR Enhancement to process standard video into HDR-like content with improved contrast and dynamism, and MEMC (Motion Estimation, Motion Compensation) for frame interpolation, resulting in smoother, more lifelike video playback.

Xiaomi has also prioritized eye comfort with the Xiaomi 15‘s display, evident in its TÜV Rheinland Low Blue Light (Hardware Solution) Certification, TÜV Rheinland Flicker Free Certification, and TÜV Rheinland Circadian Friendly Certification. These certifications underscore Xiaomi’s commitment to designing a screen that minimizes potential eye strain.

Finally, the Xiaomi 15‘s display is protected by Xiaomi Shield Glass, a departure from the commonly used Gorilla Glass. Xiaomi claims that this in-house developed glass offers a remarkable ten times the drop resistance compared to the Xiaomi 14, a bold statement that we will certainly be putting to the test in our comprehensive review of the Xiaomi 15.

Audio

The Xiaomi 15 doesn’t skimp on the auditory experience either, featuring stereo speakers that are certified to deliver Hi-Res Audio, both through wired connections and wirelessly.

Furthermore, it boasts support for Dolby Atmos. I’m particularly pleased to see both Dolby Atmos for audio and Dolby Vision for visuals integrated into the Xiaomi 15. This combination promises to transform the device into a truly immersive portable cinema.

Xiaomi 15 Camera

Now, let’s talk about the optics. The camera island on the Xiaomi 15 is quite the statement – a large, rounded square that noticeably protrudes from the rear. While the elevation is significant, it appears to be a deliberate design choice to accommodate the powerful camera lenses housed within.

Given the advanced capabilities of the Xiaomi 15‘s camera system, we’ve actually prepared a dedicated, in-depth article exploring its features and performance, which you can find here.

Personally, I’m already a big fan of the camera setup, especially the inclusion of a 60mm telephoto lens. This focal length offers users greater creative flexibility and the potential for more compelling compositions. We’ll delve much deeper into the photographic prowess of the Xiaomi 15 in its dedicated review.

Video recording

The Xiaomi 15 is a serious contender for mobile videography, offering HDR video recording with Dolby Vision, ensuring your videos capture a wide dynamic range with vibrant colors. For those who demand the highest resolution, the Xiaomi 15 is capable of recording in stunning 8K (7680×4320) at both 24fps and 30fps. More standard resolutions are also well-covered, with 4K (3840×2160) recording available at 24fps, 30fps, and a smooth 60fps. For everyday use and sharing, you can also record in 1080p (1920×1080) HD at 30fps and 60fps, as well as 720p (1280×720) HD at 30fps.

What truly impressed me about the Xiaomi 15‘s video capabilities are the inclusion of Log format recording and Dolby Vision support. We were particularly keen to test the Log capability, and we put it through its paces by applying various cinematic LUTs.

The results were genuinely solid. Highlights and shadows were well-preserved, offering significant flexibility in post-production color grading. While it might not reach the nuanced performance of my dedicated Fujifilm F-Log footage, I would confidently rely on the Xiaomi 15‘s Log format in any situation where my phone is my primary or only camera. The combination of Log and Dolby Vision makes the Xiaomi 15 a compelling tool for content creators on the go.

Xiaomi 15 User Experience

The Xiaomi 15, despite its powerful internals, delivers a user experience that’s significantly shaped by its more compact form factor.

On Hand

The smaller size of the Xiaomi 15 translates to a drastically different in-hand feel compared to the increasingly large smartphones dominating the market. It’s remarkably easy to handle, and I found that my thumb could comfortably reach approximately 80% of the screen real estate, a welcome change.

Adding to the peace of mind is its IP68 rating for water and dust resistance. The under-display fingerprint sensor is fast and reliable, offering a seamless unlocking experience.

Furthermore, the Xiaomi 15 boasts excellent haptic feedback. It provides nuanced vibrations, with different levels of feedback that feel gentle yet distinct, offering a satisfying nudge upon confirmation or interaction.

The adoption of an LTPO display dynamically adjusts the refresh rate, contributing to a smoother visual experience and potentially better battery efficiency.

Media Consumption

As we touched on earlier, the Xiaomi 15‘s comprehensive support for all major HDR standards (Pro HDR, HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision) alongside Dolby Atmos and Hi-Res Audio certification makes it an exceptional device for media consumption.

There is perhaps no better smartphone to binge your favorite shows on. The colors are vivid and well-saturated, and the contrast levels are among the best I’ve witnessed on a smartphone, rivaling flagship devices like the Huawei MatePad Pro. Whether you’re watching movies, TV series, or enjoying HDR content, the Xiaomi 15 delivers a truly immersive experience.

Gaming

The Xiaomi 15 packs a serious punch when it comes to performance, evident in its great benchmark scores thanks to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4. This processing power ensures that the Xiaomi 15 can handle any daily task with ease.

The gaming experience is also excellent. I took the Xiaomi 15 for a spin with Diablo Immortal (yes, I’m a sucker for a good dungeon crawler), and with all compatible graphics options maxed out (resolution was locked at High), the gameplay was smooth and responsive. The Xiaomi 15 handled the intense graphics and fast-paced action without a hitch, making for an enjoyable mobile gaming experience.

Battery Life

Powering the Xiaomi 15 is a substantial 5240mAh battery. Based on our PC Mark battery benchmark, the device achieved approximately 13 hours of usage, suggesting that most users can comfortably expect all-day battery life on a single charge. When it’s time to top up, the Xiaomi 15 supports incredibly fast 120W HyperCharge via wired connection and a respectable 50W wireless charging, minimizing downtime and getting you back in action quickly.

Xiaomi 15 Conclusion

In conclusion, the Xiaomi 15 offers a delightful experience in a surprisingly compact form factor, feeling exceptionally comfortable in hand. Priced at RM 3,699.00, which I consider a reasonable investment, this device boasts numerous advantages, including its compact size, stunning display, versatile camera system with a useful 60mm telephoto lens, rapid wired and wireless charging capabilities, robust IP68 water and dust resistance, and immersive audio with Dolby Atmos and Hi-Res Audio.

Personally, I find no significant drawbacks to this impressive device. Therefore, it is with great pleasure that we award the Xiaomi 15 the Hello Express Gold Award.