The “Mega-Pixel War” is over, and the “Sensor War” has officially begun. The Xiaomi 15 Ultra, launched in India at a staggering ₹1,09,999, isn’t just a smartphone; it’s basically a Leica camera that happens to make phone calls.
If you’re tired of the “same old” incremental updates from Apple and Samsung, the 15 Ultra is here to slap you awake. With a massive 1-inch main sensor and a new 200MP periscope zoom, it promises to make your DSLR gather dust. But the real truth is, at over a lakh, is it actually better than a Galaxy “Ultra” or an iPhone “Pro Max,” or is it just a heavy glass brick with a fancy logo? Let’s find out.
1. QUICK SPECS TABLE
| Feature | Specification Details |
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite (3nm) |
| RAM / Storage | 16GB LPDDR5X / 512GB UFS 4.1 |
| Display | 6.73″ WQHD+ LTPO AMOLED (120Hz) |
| Main Camera | 50MP Sony LYT-900 (1-inch sensor) |
| Zoom Camera | 200MP Periscope (4.3x Optical) |
| Battery | 5,410 mAh |
| Charging | 90W Wired / 80W Wireless |
| Weight | 229 grams |
2. DESIGN & BUILD (The Camera Aesthetic)
The first thing you’ll notice about the Xiaomi 15 Ultra is its girth. This is a thick boy. At 9.48mm and 229 grams, you will feel it in your pocket every single second.
- The Look: Xiaomi has leaned even harder into the “Camera-First” design. The back is a mix of premium eco-leather and an aluminum frame.
- The Module: The circular camera island is massive. It’s so big that your index finger will naturally rest on the bottom of the rim.
- In-Hand Feel: Don’t waste your money if you have small hands or hate heavy phones. However, if you like the “industrial, high-end tool” vibe, this feels significantly more premium than the standard Xiaomi 15.
3. DISPLAY & VISUALS (Blindingly Bright)
Xiaomi didn’t just give us a screen; they gave us a portable sun. The 6.73-inch panel now hits a peak brightness of 3200 nits.
- Outdoor Visibility: Even under the harsh 12 PM sun in Mumbai or Delhi, this screen is as clear as an indoor TV.
- Visual Tech: You get LTPO technology, meaning it can drop to 1Hz to save battery or ramp up to 120Hz for buttery smooth scrolling.
- The Protection: It uses Xiaomi Shield Glass 2.0, which Xiaomi claims is more drop-resistant than Gorilla Glass Victus 2. In our testing, it survived a 3-foot table drop onto a rug without a scratch.
4. PERFORMANCE & GAMING (The Elite Beast)
Powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite, the performance is “boringly brilliant.” Everything opens instantly.
- Gaming: We played Genshin Impact at Max settings for 60 minutes. The frame rate stayed at a rock-solid 60 FPS, though the area around the camera module did reach 43°C. It gets warm, but the new 3D IceLoop system prevents it from throttling.
- Multitasking: With 16GB of RAM, you can keep 30+ apps open in the background, and none of them will restart. This is a productivity beast.
5. CAMERA: THE LEICA MASTERCLASS
This is why you are buying this phone.
- Main Sensor (The 1-Inch Beast): The 50MP LYT-900 sensor captures a level of “natural blur” (bokeh) that no software can fake.
- The 200MP Periscope: This is the game-changer for 2026. While Samsung uses 50MP for its zoom, Xiaomi’s 200MP sensor allows you to crop into a 10x shot and still see the texture on a bird’s feathers.
- Leica Styles: You can choose between “Leica Authentic” (moody, realistic colors) or “Leica Vibrant” (Instagram-ready).
The real truth is: The video stability is still a step behind the iPhone 17 Pro Max, but for still photography, the Xiaomi 15 Ultra is currently unbeatable.
6. BATTERY & ENDURANCE (Fast and Long)
Xiaomi upgraded the battery to 5,410 mAh, and it shows.
- Battery Life: In a heavy-use scenario (GPS, 4K recording, Gaming), the phone easily lasted 14 hours. For a normal user, this is a 2-day phone.
- Charging Speed: * 0 to 50% in 16 minutes.
- 0 to 100% in 42 minutes.
- Wireless: At 80W wireless charging, it actually charges faster wirelessly than an iPhone does with a cable.
7. THE COMPETITION (2026 Flagship Battle)
Xiaomi 15 Ultra vs Samsung S26 Ultra vs iPhone 17 Pro Max
| Feature | Xiaomi 15 Ultra | Samsung S26 Ultra | iPhone 17 Pro Max |
| Price | ₹1,09,999 | ₹1,59,999 (Exp) | ₹1,69,900 |
| Main Camera | 1-inch 50MP | 200MP (Smaller sensor) | 48MP |
| Charging | 90W (Charger in box) | 45W (No charger) | 30W (No charger) |
| AI Features | HyperAI (Good) | Galaxy AI (Best) | Apple Intelligence |
The Winner: If you want the best camera and value, the Xiaomi 15 Ultra destroys the competition. If you want the best software ecosystem and resale value, stick with Apple or Samsung
Read More ; Vivo V70
8. FINAL VERDICT
Buy it if:
- You are a photography enthusiast who wants the best zoom and 1-inch sensor.
- You hate waiting for your phone to charge (90W is a life-saver).
- You want a unique, “camera-like” look that stands out in a sea of iPhones.
Skip it if:
- You find heavy, bulky phones uncomfortable to use.
- You want a clean software experience (HyperOS still has some bloatware).
- You are worried about the resale value of a ₹1.1 Lakh Xiaomi phone.
Rating: 4.5/5 Stars.
9. FAQs (People Also Ask)
Is the Xiaomi 15 Ultra waterproof?
Yes, it has an IP68 rating, meaning it can survive being submerged in 1.5 meters of water for 30 minutes.
Does it come with a charger in the box?
Yes! Unlike Samsung and Apple, Xiaomi includes the full 90W HyperCharge adapter and a premium case in the box.
What is the Photography Kit?
It’s an optional accessory (approx. ₹11,999) that adds a physical shutter button, a zoom lever, and an extra 2000mAh battery.
Does it support 8K video?
Yes, it can record 8K at 30fps on all four rear cameras, which is a world first
What is the real-world battery life?
You can expect about 7-8 hours of Screen-on-Time (SoT) even with heavy 5G usage and high brightness.