6000mAh + 1-inch main camera! Xiaomi 15 Ultra defines dual extremes in imaging and battery life

On the evening of February 27, 2025, Xiaomi made waves in the tech world with its “Double Ultra” launch event, officially unveiling the annual flagship phone, the Xiaomi 15 Ultra. This device, hailed by Lei Jun as “the most high-end product in Xiaomi's 15 years of entrepreneurship,” not only carries the brand’s ambition to break into the ultra-premium market but also redefines the standard for flagship smartphones with several industry-leading technologies.

The Xiaomi 15 Ultra’s imaging system, dubbed “Night God” (the god of night photography), features a Leica quad-camera setup, considered the “ceiling” for current mobile photography. The main camera is equipped with a 50MP 1-inch ultra-large sensor (LYT-900), coupled with an f/1.63 super-large aperture, supporting 14EV native dynamic range and UIS Super Anti-shake technology. This results in a 300% increase in light intake compared to its predecessor, greatly enhancing low-light performance. The ultra-wide angle camera is 50MP with a 115° field of view, supporting 5cm macro shooting. The dual telephoto lenses include a 50MP 70mm mid-telephoto and a 200MP 100mm periscope telephoto, enabling 3x to 28x lossless zoom, covering various shooting scenarios. Optical innovations include a new filter that reduces glare by 42%, a pyramid coating that decreases fog by 25%, and ultra-low reflection glass that brings the reflection rate down to 1.5%, significantly improving the ghosting issue across all focal lengths.

Moreover, the Xiaomi 15 Ultra supports full-range 8K video recording and introduces Leica’s Super Pure Optical System, enhancing image quality purity with lossless optical technology. Its night scene performance is officially dubbed “Full-focus Excellence,” delivering stunning results in both low-light and complex environments.

For battery life and performance, the Xiaomi 15 Ultra is equipped with a 6000mAh Jinsa River battery, employing high silicon content technology to effectively suppress swelling issues, increasing the capacity by 700mAh over the previous generation. Official tests show 1 hour and 54 minutes of continuous gaming and up to 7 hours and 52 minutes of video playback. With 90W wired fast charging and 80W wireless fast charging, users can say goodbye to battery anxiety.

As for performance, it features the Snapdragon 8 Supreme Edition processor, with LPDDR5X memory and UFS 4.1 storage, paired with a dual-wing ring-shaped cooling pump system that reduces core temperature by 3°C, ensuring stability during prolonged high-load operations. The 6.73-inch 2K full-depth curved screen supports a 1-120Hz adaptive refresh rate, a peak brightness of 3200nits, and three levels of eye protection certification, balancing display quality with power consumption.

In terms of communication, the Xiaomi 15 Ultra introduces the Star Communication System for the first time, utilizing three communication chips and AI optimization algorithms to significantly reduce latency in gaming and live-streaming scenarios. It supports the industry’s longest 7km bi-directional off-network communication, and it is the first globally to launch Beidou + Tiantong dual-satellite communication, with a 49% improvement in star acquisition speed, providing reliable communication in remote or disaster-prone areas. Additionally, the ultrasonic fingerprint recognition technology further enhances the unlocking experience, though it lacks 3D facial recognition, with slightly compromised unlocking performance in low-light conditions.

Regarding design, the Xiaomi 15 Ultra blends retro camera aesthetics with modern technological elements. The back features a black-silver color scheme with a lychee-textured leather finish and a super-large circular camera ring, paying homage to Leica’s century-long legacy. Among the four available colors, Pine Green is a new option, paired with a four-curved, wrap-around middle frame, offering both premium feel and ergonomic grip. However, the 226g weight and 9.35mm thickness may feel bulky to users who prioritize lightweight devices.

As for pricing, the Xiaomi 15 Ultra follows the previous generation’s pricing strategy, with the 12GB+256GB version priced at ¥6499, and the 16GB+1TB top-spec dual-satellite version at ¥7999, both launching on March 3. Lei Jun stated that Xiaomi will focus on the 6K+ ultra-premium market over the next five years, aiming to transition from “cost-performance” to “technology leader” by enhancing Apple ecosystem compatibility and service experiences.

In summary, the release of the Xiaomi 15 Ultra marks a milestone breakthrough for the brand in core areas such as imaging, battery life, and communication. The Leica quad-camera system has redefined what’s possible in mobile photography, while the 6000mAh battery and dual-satellite communication solve long-standing user pain points. Although its weight and the absence of 3D facial recognition are minor drawbacks, the overall configuration and “more features, same price” strategy undoubtedly inject strong competition into the ultra-premium market. As Lei Jun puts it, this isn’t just a concentrated display of Xiaomi’s technological prowess, but also a “battle for dignity”, setting a new benchmark for domestic brands aiming at the ultra-high-end market.