Xiaomi has once again shaken up the global smartphone market by launching its two latest flagships, the Xiaomi 15 and Xiaomi 15 Ultra . Both phones were officially introduced at a global launch event in Barcelona, with the main focus being on the continued collaboration between Xiaomi and Leica in presenting the most advanced camera system. Claimed to be the smartphone with the best photography capabilities in its class, the Xiaomi 15 series is ready to compete with giants such as the iPhone 15 Pro and Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra.
Xiaomi and Leica Collaboration
Since 2022, Xiaomi and the legendary German optics company Leica have been working together to bring premium camera technology to smartphones. In the Xiaomi 15 and 15 Ultra series, this collaboration reaches a new level. Both phones are equipped with the latest Leica Summilux lenses which are specially designed to capture sharper details, more accurate colors, and excellent performance in low light conditions.
Xiaomi 15 Ultra is the most special with three rear camera lenses:
- 50 MP Main Lens with 1-inch sensor (Sony IMX989 type) and variable aperture f/1.6–f/4.0.
- 48 MP Ultra-Wide Lens that supports macro up to 5 cm.
- 50 MP Periscope Lens with 5x optical zoom and up to 120x digital zoom.
Meanwhile, the Xiaomi 15 comes with a slightly simpler camera configuration but still relies on Leica lenses. The main lens has a resolution of 50 MP with a Sony IMX890 sensor, supported by optical stabilization (OIS) technology and an f/1.8 aperture. Both phones also use Leica's AI algorithm for more natural photo processing, including the classic portrait mode of Leica film cameras.
According to Xiaomi CEO Lei Jun, “Collaborating with Leica is not just about putting a logo on it. It is an effort to bring Leica’s photography philosophy into the palm of your hand.”
Premium Design with Stunning Display
The Xiaomi 15 series carries an elegant design with premium materials. The Xiaomi 15 Ultra uses an aerospace grade titanium frame that is lightweight but impact resistant, while the standard version uses an aluminum frame. Both are coated with Xiaomi Shield Glass for extra protection.
The screens of both phones are equally impressive. The Xiaomi 15 and 15 Ultra have a 6.36-inch AMOLED screen with 2K resolution, 120Hz refresh rate, and 3000 nits peak brightness. Dolby Vision and HDR10+ technology are also embedded, making the experience of watching movies or playing games even more vivid.
Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 Processor and Long-Lasting Battery
Behind its performance, the Xiaomi 15 and 15 Ultra are powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset manufactured with a 4nm process. This chipset promises a performance increase of up to 35% compared to the previous generation, especially in terms of graphics and power efficiency.
To support multitasking needs, the Xiaomi 15 has 12GB of RAM, while the Ultra version comes with 16GB of RAM. Both use UFS 4.0 internal memory with a capacity of up to 1TB. A vapor chamber and graphene-based cooling system is also present so that performance remains stable when used for gaming or recording 8K videos.
The 6,100mAh battery on the Xiaomi 15 Ultra and the 5,400mAh on the Xiaomi 15 are equipped with HyperCharge fast charging technology. 90W wireless charging and 50W reverse wireless charging are also available.
Other Featured Features
- MIUI 15 : Android 15-based operating system with AI optimization for faster response.
- Complete Connectivity : 5G support, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, and NFC.
- Water and Dust Resistant : IP68 certified for water and dust resistance.
- Quality Audio : Stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos.
Price and Availability
Xiaomi 15 comes in two storage variants, 256GB and 512GB. For the price, it is available starting at EUR 999 or around Rp17 million . Meanwhile, the Xiaomi 15 Ultra comes with 512GB and 1TB storage options. Regarding the price, it is available starting at EUR 1499 or around Rp25 million . Until now, Xiaomi has not provided official information regarding when the Xiaomi 15 series will enter Indonesia, but based on previous launch patterns, Xiaomi usually releases their flagship in Indonesia within 1-2 months after the global release.
Conclusion
With DSLR-competitive Leica cameras, powerful performance, and premium design, the Xiaomi 15 and 15 Ultra are worth considering for photography enthusiasts or users who want a flagship smartphone without compromise. Although the price is quite high, the features offered are comparable to the price paid.
“This is not just an upgrade, but a big leap in smartphone innovation,” Lei Jun concluded at the launch event. So, are you interested in trying it?
