ZDNET's key takeaways The Xiaomi 15 Ultra sees improvements in almost all the right places, with a 200MP periscope lens and a more durable design.
The camera configuration is still one of the most competitive ones on the market.
If you're in the US, you'll have to pay to play, with conversions nearing $1,555. View now at Mi
The moment I unboxed the Xiaomi 15 Ultra, I knew I was in trouble. While the flagship had launched in China earlier this year, its global debut at Mobile World Congress (MWC) in March raised some flags among its Android competitors -- and perhaps Apple, too.
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I tested the phone for a little less than a month, having swapped my SIM over from the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, and as each day went by, I found it tougher to switch back. I partly have T-Mobile to thank for that, as most international phones like the Xiaomi support just enough GSM-based cellular bands to make calling, messaging, and browsing on LTE work here in the US.
Other reasons range from the new 200MP periscope camera (that's more than just a marketing gimmick) to the industrial design and surprisingly smooth software experience. In other words, the Xiaomi 15 Ultra may be the best all-rounder phone I've tested so far. But even then, the reasons to upgrade to it are just as clear as the reasons to look elsewhere. Here's the breakdown.
With the 15 Ultra, you don't have to look far to understand how Xiaomi wants to sell you on it. The absolute island of a camera bump demands attention, whether you're staring directly at it or feeling the weight of it when holding the phone.
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But don't let that distract you from the rest of the hardware, which Xiaomi says has become much more durable than last year's model, from the Shield Glass 2.0 for better drop protection to the high-strength Gorilla Glass 7i layering that protects the rear cameras. The subtle grooves on the power button are a nice touch.
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