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

The Xiaomi 14 Extremely was one of many finest telephones of 2024, thanks in no small half to an superior digital camera system that took a number of the finest pictures I’ve ever seen from a digital camera cellphone. On the coronary heart of this was its 1-inch kind picture sensor, which is bodily bigger than the sensors present in virtually some other cellphone. The consequence? Nice-looking photos in quite a lot of circumstances.

But it surely’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 quite a lot of updates, together with the highly effective Snapdragon 8 Elite processor and a bunch of latest AI abilities — as a result of apparently all telephones must have AI inbuilt whether or not you prefer it or not. And whereas the digital camera hasn’t seen many updates, there are just a few tweaks to maintain photographers . 

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The Xiaomi 15 Extremely international 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 would like 1TB. As with different Xiaomi telephones, the 15 Extremely won’t be that can be purchased within the US however for reference that base UK value converts to $1,630 or AU$2,630.

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

Xiaomi 15 Extremely digital camera

I used to be stunned by the huge picture sensor contained in the 14 Extremely’s primary digital camera, so I suppose I must be happy that the 15 Extremely has stored it. However I’m a bit disillusioned that it is actually the identical mannequin — the Sony LYT-900. Positive, it is an ideal sensor and never that previous, however I had hoped to see Xiaomi take its profitable system from final yr and make it even higher. 

Perhaps the lens is healthier? On paper, I might truly argue there’s been a downgrade. The 14 Extremely had a uncommon variable aperture, which went from large open at f/1.6 and will shut right down to f/4. It allowed for engaging star-burst results when taking pictures factors of sunshine at the hours of darkness. The 15 Extremely has gotten rid of this and as a substitute has a set f/1.6 aperture — Xiaomi says it will possibly obtain the identical results “by way of software program optimization and algorithm updates.” Sigh.

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When you can alter the depth of area energy (the quantity of background blur behind your topic) within the portrait mode, I’ve discovered a few issues improper. First, the picture with the blur does not save if you take it, so it seems the identical it doesn’t matter what faux aperture you set it as. That is in all probability simply early software program issues and I am certain they’re going to be mounted. However the lack of actual adjustable aperture additionally means you aren’t getting the great star bursts on road lights at evening anymore.

These starbursts are in all probability a distinct segment factor to be enthusiastic about, however they really reworked the look of evening pictures and the impact was one among my favourite issues about taking pictures with the 14 Extremely. To see this type of innovation chucked out in favor of a software-based “answer” is irritating. It is also precisely what I complained a lot about final yr, with AI being the one space the place firms 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 digital camera’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 larger for better-looking zoomed-in photographs. 

Photographs taken with the Xiaomi 15 Extremely

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

You may see a number of my check photos right here, but in addition take a look at my longer gallery of examples for those who’re eager to see extra of this digital camera in motion. 

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Xiaomi’s Images Equipment is optionally available for the 15 Extremely

Sure, you should purchase the 15 Extremely with the identical Images Equipment that was provided with final yr’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 additional battery life to the cellphone and the shutter button and settings wheel will let you shoot identical to you have been utilizing a compact digital camera. It is far more comfy than taking pictures 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. If you happen to’re eager on utilizing your cellphone for road or journey images, the Images Equipment is value 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 checks, whereas on a regular basis operation is quick and lag-free. 

It is nice for avid gamers, too, with demanding titles like Genshin Impression taking part in 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 abilities with Gemini on the Xiaomi 15 Extremely

Google Gemini and Gemini superior are inbuilt as normal, together with the conversational Gemini Dwell and Circle to Search. However Xiaomi has thrown in just a few of its personal options, too. There is a generative textual content instrument to create blocks of textual content based mostly 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 quite a lot 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, but it surely’s value holding in thoughts that each one of them require an web connection to be able to use — together with the voice transcript instrument, for some cause.

A suitable software program assist interval

The 15 Extremely launches with Android 15 on board, and Xiaomi guarantees it’s going to obtain 4 generations of Android updates together with six years of safety assist. It is lower than what each Samsung and Google present for his or her flagships (seven years of each software program and safety assist) and I might actually have preferred 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 hold their telephones for 3 years or longer) and matches what OnePlus gives for its latest OnePlus 13 flagship. 

The remainder of the cellphone is strong too

Battery life is nice, 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 may safely count on a day of use however as with all telephones you may in all probability wish to give it a full cost in a single day. The 6.7-inch show is shiny, vibrant and pin sharp. Movies look nice, as do colourful cell video games.

The cellphone is IP68 rated to assist hold it protected from spilled drinks, too. All in all, it is a cellphone that ticks just about each field you’d count on from one among right now’s flagships. I simply want I might seen extra innovation within the cameras for this yr’s mannequin. Nonetheless, there is not any query that it nonetheless takes excellent photos that rival any of right now’s flagships. If you happen to’re on the lookout for a high-performance Android cellphone to make use of as your primary digital camera in your travels, it is actually value contemplating.