I changed my Galaxy S25 Extremely with the Xiaomi 15 Extremely – and it is spoiled me massive time

ZDNET’s key takeaways

• The brand new Xiaomi 15 Extremely sees enhancements in virtually all the correct locations, with a 200MP periscope lens and a extra sturdy design.
• The digital camera configuration continues to be probably the most aggressive ones available on the market.
• In case you’re within the US, you may need to pay to play, with conversions nearing $1,555.

The second I unboxed the Xiaomi 15 Extremely, I knew I used to be in hassle. Whereas the flagship had launched in China simply days in the past, its international debut immediately at Cellular World Congress (MWC) ought to elevate some flags amongst its Android rivals — and maybe Apple, too. 

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I have been testing the cellphone for rather less than a month now, having swapped my SIM over from the Samsung Galaxy S25 Extremely, and as every day goes by, it is gotten more durable for me to change again. I partly have T-Cellular to thank for that, as most worldwide telephones just like the Xiaomi assist simply sufficient GSM-based mobile bands to make calling, messaging, and looking on LTE work right here within the US.

Different causes vary from the brand new 200MP periscope digital camera (that is greater than only a advertising gimmick) to the economic design and surprisingly clean software program expertise. In different phrases, the Xiaomi 15 Extremely could also be one of the best all-rounder cellphone I’ve examined to date. However even then, the explanations to improve to it are simply as clear as these to look elsewhere. Here is the breakdown.

With the 15 Extremely, you do not have to look far to know how Xiaomi desires to promote you on it. Absolutely the island of a digital camera bump calls for consideration, whether or not you are staring straight at it or feeling the load of it when holding the cellphone. 

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However do not let that distract you from the remainder of the {hardware}, which Xiaomi says has change into far more sturdy than final 12 months’s mannequin, from the Defend Glass 2.0 for higher drop safety to the high-strength Gorilla Glass 7i layering that protects the rear cameras. The refined grooves on the ability button are a pleasant contact.

The Xiaomi 15 Extremely can also be heavier than its predecessor — a relatively stunning twist contemplating current developments to slim-down units — doubtless because of the up to date digital camera stack and bigger battery capability. At 226 grams, the Xiaomi 15 Extremely continues to be lighter than the iPhone 16 Professional Max however noticeably heavier than the Galaxy S25 Extremely (218g). Even then, the curved dimensions make the cellphone far more manageable than Samsung’s boxier aesthetic.

Powering this 12 months’s mannequin is Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, which, when paired with 16GB of RAM and a relatively well-optimized HyperOS pores and skin over Android, delivers a quick, near-burdenless software program expertise. I am going to nonetheless knock on Xiaomi for the extreme bloatware, together with pre-loaded apps like WPS Workplace and AliExpress. However past that, the machine virtually by no means stutters or drops frames, even once I use it after working benchmarks. It is that optimized.

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For charging, you are taking a look at 90W wired and 80W wi-fi scores, which are not record-breaking at a world scale however primarily twice as quick as one of the best telephones within the US (sans OnePlus.) You may want the correct charging brick to attain sooner charging speeds, however the effectivity is nicely price it. It is simply unlucky that Xiaomi downsized its battery to a 5,400mAh capability when the China model of the 15 Extremely has a 6,000mAh measurement.

Now, for the elephant within the room: Wi-Fi 7 connectivity. I am kidding. The Xiaomi 15 Extremely’s quad-camera setup is likely one of the most competent that I’ve examined, and I say “one among” as a result of its home rivals, just like the Vivo X200 Professional, are simply pretty much as good.

Whereas Xiaomi has stored many of the digital camera {hardware} the identical this 12 months, together with the Leica-partnered and branded optics, it is made refined however significant upgrades throughout the board. The principle 50MP lens nonetheless captures topics with a stage of dynamic vary and depth that solely a one-inch sensor can obtain, and I am an enormous fan of the Extremely RAW picture capturing, which preserves particulars for once I’m enhancing in Lightroom, however the brand new 200MP periscope lens has change into my default capturing instrument.

It is a massive spec bump from final 12 months’s 50MP sensor, and the added pixels assist whenever you seize pictures in low-light environments or wish to crop in after the very fact. Simply know that the optical zoom has been shortened to 4.4x from 5x, which can take some getting used to should you’re coming from an iPhone or Samsung with 5x.

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I have been testing the 200MP digital camera for portraits, panorama photographs, and recording cinematic video in Professional mode, and the outcomes made me think about retiring my $3,500 Sony A7S III. Whereas the cellphone can take a couple of additional seconds to totally render and course of pictures, that means you will not see the ultimate shot proper after you seize it, the outcomes have simply the correct amount of pure colour, sharpness, and distinction to my liking. 

That is to say, the Xiaomi 15 Extremely is a cellphone that will make sense to have a devoted digital camera/shutter button. Placing one beneath the ability button would additionally encourage customers to stabilize the cellphone (and top-heavy digital camera bump) with their index finger, probably leading to a extra snug and dependable capturing expertise.

ZDNET’s shopping for recommendation

As is the case with all international variants of telephones (learn: ones that are not formally bought within the US), you may need to export the Xiaomi 15 Extremely to make use of one. It at present retails for 1499 EUR, which roughly converts to $1,555 USD. That is not counting the upcoming upcharges attributable to current US tariffs. So if you’d like top-of-the-line telephones available on the market, you may need to pay to play.

Fortuitously, the Xiaomi 15 Extremely is likely one of the simpler telephones for me to suggest to energy customers and tech fanatics, because of its succesful digital camera system and onslaught of specs. At this level, I would even go about the remainder of my MWC week utilizing simply the cellphone to seize product photographs and movies as a substitute of my bulkier Sony digital camera.