Compact flagships, once underestimated, are now showcasing their strength in full force. The Vivo X200 Pro Mini, a true testament to this transformation, left a lasting impression on me. And now, enter the Xiaomi 15, ready to elevate the game further. Fueled by the formidable Snapdragon 8 Elite and boasting a substantial battery capacity, this diminutive powerhouse holds the promise of greatness. After spending a considerable amount of time with it, here are my initial impressions of the Xiaomi 15!
Battery That Never Abandons
My time with the Xiaomi 15 was limited, but it was enough to witness the prowess of its 5,400mAh battery. Upon receiving the device, it held an impressive 81% charge. Through various tasks like benchmarks, photography, app installations, and video streaming, it managed to retain a commendable 55% charge. It proved to be quite resilient, requiring diligent efforts to deplete. Even after over a day and a half, it still stood strong at 13%.
Comparatively, the Vivo X200 Pro Mini with its 5,700mAh battery offers slightly longer battery life. The efficiency of OriginOS, especially in the China variant I tested, combined with the cooler Dimensity 9400 chipset, ensures extended usage without the need for frequent charging. Nonetheless, the Xiaomi 15’s battery performance is truly remarkable, requiring minimal recharging during my brief experience. Moreover, the included 90W charger swiftly revived the device from 13% to full in approximately 35 minutes.
Performance that Transcends Time
Due to the limitations of the China model, I couldn’t fully unleash the potential of the Snapdragon 8 Elite on the Xiaomi 15. Despite app restrictions hindering sideloading and gaming capabilities, an AnTuTu score of 2545786 was achieved. While marginally lower than the Realme GT 7 Pro and Vivo X200 Pro Mini equipped with Dimensity 9400, the Xiaomi 15’s performance was commendable.
Temperature management was a concern, with the device running slightly warmer than expected, even during regular usage. The introduction of HyperOS 2.0.16.0.VOCCNXM, later upgraded to 2.0.17.0.VOCCNXM, ensured a smooth user experience. The refined operating system offered seamless navigation and efficient multitasking, complemented by robust RAM management. Featuring up to 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM and 1TB of UFS 4.0 storage, the Xiaomi 15 delivers a compelling performance package.
Impressive Design with Familiarity
The Lilac Purple hue of the Xiaomi 15 exudes elegance on its slim frame, offering a comfortable grip with a velvety finish. Despite its slippery nature, the Dragon Crystal Glass protection on the front ensures durability. Weighing around 191 grams, the device strikes a balance between lightweight design and sturdy construction, enabling convenient one-handed usage. The streamlined camera module layout enhances the aesthetic appeal, ensuring a sleek and modern look.
The tactile volume rockers and power button exude premium quality, providing an enjoyable user experience. The vibrant 6.36-inch 1.5K LTPO 120Hz OLED display, with Dolby Vision support and DCI-P3 color gamut coverage, delivers a vivid visual experience. While the default color scheme may appear subdued, switching to Vivid mode enhances the display’s vibrancy. The incorporation of AI-powered enhancements like Super Resolution and MEMC further enriches the viewing experience.
Lukewarm Camera Performance
Despite sporting a 50MP primary sensor with OIS and a 50MP Leica Floating Telephoto sensor, the Xiaomi 15’s camera performance falls short of expectations. The primary sensor captures decent shots, exhibiting natural colors and commendable dynamic range. However, the ultra-wide and telephoto sensors yield lackluster results, lacking vibrancy and depth. While portrait mode excels in edge detection and depth mapping, the overall output fails to impress.
Night shots exhibit adequate detail with minimal noise, although color disparity remains noticeable. Selfies are satisfactory, showcasing natural details without excessive post-processing. Videography benefits from OIS, offering stable recordings up to 8K 30FPS. Despite the camera’s stability and feature-rich specifications, the overall performance fails to evoke excitement or novelty.
A Surprisingly Competent Contender
The Xiaomi 15 emerges as a formidable contender in the compact phone segment, challenging established players with its competitive pricing and impressive features. While the Vivo X200 Pro Mini retains its throne for now, the Xiaomi 15’s potential shines through. With minor tweaks and enhancements, it has the makings of a worthy successor. As Samsung prepares to unveil the Galaxy S25, the Xiaomi 15 has set a high standard, demanding innovation and excellence from its competitors.
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