MWC 2025: Xiaomi 15 Ultra first impressions

We finally got our hands on the Xiaomi 15 Ultra at MWC 2025 in Barcelona, and boy, were we impressed. It takes the winning formula of last year’s Xiaomi 14 Ultra and amps up to the next level. 

You get a revamped 200MP periscope camera that promises improved portraits. Besides that, the Leica-powered quad camera setup houses three more lenses, making it a holistic package for any photography enthusiast.

Beyond the cameras, the ‘Ultra’ moniker demands ultra specifications, and the phone delivers. It houses Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, a quad curved 2K display with LTPO technology (which promises improved battery life), and a massive 5,410mAh silicone carbide battery. 

Having spent some time with it at MWC, here are our Xiaomi 15 Ultra first impressions.

Xiaomi 15 Ultra cameras

Let’s delve right into what is no doubt the phone’s highlight – cameras. The Leica camera setup houses a 50MP primary camera, a 50MP ultrawide shooter, and 50MP 3x telephoto camera, and of course, the star of the show, the 200MP periscope camera. 

The new periscope camera improves upon nearly every aspect of its predecessor’s periscope lens. It is a 1/1.4-inch type sensor with 4.3x optical zoom and a fast f/2.6 aperture. To put it simply, the new lens will allow more light in, which should in theory drastically improve low-light photography. 11

Moreover, you also get a flattering natural depth of field when clicking pictures from the periscope lens. This is almost immediately noticeable when shooting portraits. 

Not just the periscope, all cameras offer incredible dynamic range and detail making it a worthy competitor to some strong camera phones like the Vivo X200 Pro and the iPhone 16 Pro Max. 

Then there’s the snap-on Photography Kit module, which adds a touch of excitement to the overall shooting experience. With a dedicated shutter button, zoom dial, and ergonomic grip, it makes handling the phone more DSLR-like. For mobile photography enthusiasts, this is a huge win.

Xiaomi 15 Ultra build and design

While the cameras impress, the design not so much. Of course, this is to be expected on a camera-focussed flagship where aesthetics tend to be sacrificed to cram advanced sensors into a small form factor. Even so, the asymmetrical camera lens layout can irk some users. The phone is also ridiculously bulky. 

Symmetry aside, the rounded edges give the phone a comfortable in-hand feel. The dual-tone design on the leather variant is also appealing. All in all, it’s a premium build. 

The aluminium build and IP68 rating ensure impressive durability, but the aesthetics take a hit due to the bulky camera hardware.

Xiaomi 15 Ultra display

In this department, the smartphone flaunts a 6.73-inch quad-curved 2K AMOLED display. And first impressions are absolutely positive. Xiaomi seems to have fine-tuned the panel to deliver good colour accuracy, deeper blacks, and impressive brightness levels.

The quad-curve design gives it an edge-to-edge feel, making it among the best we have seen at MWC 2025. Scrolling through UI elements feels buttery smooth, thanks to the LTPO refresh rate that dynamically adjusts up to 120 Hz. 

Xiaomi 15 Ultra first impressions

Xiaomi seems to be making some bold moves with the 15 Ultra. The Leica-tuned cameras feel impressive, and so do the display and the overall performance. It will be interesting to see how the brand prices the phone, especially for a price-conscious market like India. 

ALSO READ: Xiaomi 15 Ultra with Leica-tuned quad cameras, Snapdragon 8 Elite announced

We cannot wait to spend more time with phone before passing a judgement. So, stay tuned to Unboxed by Croma for a detailed review.