Xiaomi’s new phone has big league ambitions but spotty availability
Xiaomi 15 review: Two-minute review
The Xiaomi 15 is an impressive piece of technology in most every category. It’s powered by the class-leading Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, evident in everything from day-to-day scrolling to hardcore gaming sessions.
I’m not totally convinced by the phone’s design, which seems to involve slapping a massive black square camera module on the back of a bubbly rounded chassis, but the Xiaomi 15 at least feels premium. The weight balance is on point, the materials are sturdy, and it feels good in the hand, a quality which phone makers seem to be ignoring more and more.
However, like every Xiaomi phone that came before it, the Xiaomi 15 is not available in the US. As is standard for this brand, the Xiaomi 15 is ambitious with its specs and pricing alike, which makes its lack of global availability all the more maddening. This could easily be a contender for one of the best phones you can buy, alongside the iPhone 16, Samsung Galaxy S25, and Google Pixel 9, given its fantastic value proposition.
For now, the Xiaomi 15 remains a tempting choice for those willing to go step outside the mainstream.Xiaomi 15 review: Price and availability
£899 for the model with 256GB of storage
£999 for the model with 512GB of storage
Not available in the US or Australia
The Xiaomi 15 starts at £899 for 256GB of storage and £999 for 512GB. Equipped with a minimum of 12GB of RAM, there’s plenty of headroom for multitasking, and with storage options up to 1TB, there’s no lack of space for apps, games, and photos taken with the three 50MP cameras.
In terms of colors, the choices are pretty concise. The Xiaomi 15 comes in white, black or green. The unit I tested was the green finish, which is just a shade too dark to be called pastel. There’s also a special Liquid Silver edition, which sports a reflective design and is only available with 512GB of storage for £999.
Though the Xiaomi 15 does come in at a slightly higher starting price than its competitors, it’s worth keeping in mind that it actually matches the iPhone 16, Samsung Galaxy S25, and Google Pixel 9 when adjusted for storage – the Xiaomi 15 lacks the £799 128GB storage tier that its three counterparts offer.
Regrettably, the Xiaomi 15 is not widely available. It’s available from Xiaomi directly in the UK, but not in the US or Australia – which means it’ll miss out on a chance at joining our lists of the best phones or best Android phones.
Value score: 4 / 5Xiaomi 15 review: Specs Xiaomi 15 review: Design
A strange mix of bold and bubbly
Very comfortable to hold
Feels well made for the price
The Xiaomi 15 is well built, but I’m not sure what to make of its overall aesthetic. Its smooth, curved rails are made of matte aluminum, the rear panel is colored frosted glass, and the square camera housing forms an obstinate black patch on said panel. The screen is also flat, which clashes with the curved edges of the frame.
The phone is built like a luxurious tank. It’s satisfyingly heavy, clearly made of solid materials, and the construction feels both durable and well considered. It’s much smoother in the hand than the Galaxy S25, but not as pebbly as the iPhone 16, and I think it feels nicer than both.
The phone comes with a silicon case, which is a thoughtful addition. However, the pre-attached plastic screen protector is a swerve – it scuffs easily and the phone feels more premium without it.
At a diagonal screen size of 6.36 inches, the Xiaomi 15 is easily pocketable, with all areas of the screen reachable one-handed. Buttons and connectivity are the standard issue – a volume rocker, power button, and USB-C port are all you get.
Overall, while I’m not convinced by the Xiaomi 15’s style, I can’t deny it’s a very well made smartphone. It’s as large as a phone can be while still feeling compact, and as with many other aspects of this phone Xiaomi walks the line well.
Design score: 4 / 5Xiaomi 15 review: Display
1200 x 2670 resolution
120Hz refresh rate
Peak brightness of 3200 nits
The Xiaomi 15 sports a 6.36-inch display that just looks fantastic. I’ve been impressed with Xiaomi phone displays in the past, but this is truly an excellent panel that shows you can have the best of both worlds – it’s compact, immersive, sharp, and colorful.
With a resolution of 1200 x 2670, 120Hz refresh rate, and pixel density of 460ppi, all kinds of media look great on the Xiaomi 15. Text is razor sharp, photos and videos are detailed, and games are vibrant. Despite the phone’s mid-sized frame, the display feels remarkably spacious, thanks in part to that super high pixel density.
